Models, algorithms and applications in vascular image segmentation

A synthesis of the authors' projects in the field of 3D vascular image processing in the last decadeis provided. This work was motivated by the following applications: display improvement, extraction of geometrical measurements, acquisition optimization, stent-pose planning, phantom generation, blood-flow simulations. The methods are often dependent on the imaging modality and/or on the anatomic region. They involve both: low-level models of intensity patterns and profiles, and higher-level models of cylindrical shapes. Amongst the various algorithms used, recursive tracking and fast-marching level-sets are emphasized. Critical analysis of each model and algorithm is carried out. Problems that remain open, and perspectives associated with the progress of the image acquisition techniques, are listed.