Seeking a more reliable vessel tracking method? This paper introduces a semi-automatic approach using 3D Intelligent Scissors for airway pathfinding in medical images. By combining surface climbing extraction with minimal user input, this method addresses the limitations of manual and fully automatic techniques, improving clinical diagnosis and surgery planning. The proposed method utilizes 3D Intelligent Scissors to extract hollow vessels, allowing for a rough path to be found by selecting end points. The algorithm successfully extracts paths even when the actual path is broken, which is valuable for cases where blood vessels are smaller than one voxel. It provides sufficient control to find accurate paths. The system incorporates a 3D stylus and cutting planes, offering advanced navigation features for visual examination and diagnosis. These features include interactive control of incremental movements and real-time 3D input. The system has been applied to tracking lung airways, demonstrating its potential for accurately finding paths with minimal user intervention.
This paper on virtual vessel tracking fits within the scope of the International Journal of Image and Graphics, contributing to the research on computer software and its applications in image processing and medical imaging. The method improves interactive navigation and visualization of medical data.