Active contour extraction method using partial shape constraint contour model

In this paper, we propose a contour extraction method that uses the partial shape constraint contour model and is based on knowledge about the structure of the heart. This method detects the positions of annuli at the bases of the valves in a tomographic ultrasound image of the left ventricle from image patterns and creates a contour model under partial constraints based on these positions. Because a model that constrains the partial position of a contour is used instead of the conventional statistical model of the entire contour, contours can be accurately extracted even for statistically few shapes and without having to learn the contour shapes. The proposed method uses clinical images to show that it is possible to reduce incorrect contour extractions compared to when the partial shape constraint contour model is not used.