This invention relates to systems and methods for processing digital images. More specifically it relates to image segmentation wherein an object of interest in an image is separated from the background of that object in the image.
Segmentation is a frequently encountered problem in image processing. It is particularly important in medical imaging where it is desired to extract an object, such as an organ or tumor, from an image for further processing.
There are many different segmentation processes available. The effectiveness of all of the segmentation processes vary in accordance with the quality of the image data, the application as well as a number of other factors.
Segmentation in medical image data is particularly difficult. The massive amounts of data make segmentation difficult in this area. Further, the quality of the image data obtained from medical imaging devices is not always optimal. Additionally, the quality of the segmentation is generally very important since the segmentation may be used to guide a diagnosis or a treatment plan.
Accordingly, new and improved methods and systems are required that will create segmentation of images and image volumes.