Vascular selection from images
Methods and systems for manually assisted definition of vascular features are described. In some embodiments, a method provides for editing of vascular paths by enabling a user to drag an erroneously segmented region of a selected vascular path into alignment with a more correctly segmented position that is depicted as a blood vessel in a vascular image. The method may use an energy function, defined as a function of position along the segmentation of the selected blood vessel, to determine how a vascular path is to be moved based on dragging motions provided by the user. In some instances, non-zero regions of the energy function are set based on the position of the selected region.
1. A method implemented by one or more processors, the method comprising:
estimating features of a plurality of vascular segments depicted in at least one vascular image, wherein individual vascular segments comprise a plurality of portions that extend between two end points depicted in the vascular image;
classifying a node into a particular node-type classification, wherein the node is identified as a connection point between at least a subset of the vascular segments;
estimating a vascular path formed from at least the subset of the vascular segments; and
causing an interactive user interface to be presented, wherein the interactive user interface is configured to:
present a graphical depiction of at least some of the estimated vascular segments that form the vascular path and
present a plurality of vascular path options for the vascular path based on one or more criteria, the one or more criteria including at least the node-type classification and a continuity of direction, wherein the continuity of direction is determined in part by vascular intensity values of the at least one vascular image.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the interactive user interface is configured to present the plurality of vascular path options based on a ranking of the vascular path options in an order.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the interactive user interface is configured to be responsive to user input to cause the one or more processors to correct an error in the presentation of the graphical depiction.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the interactive user interface is configured to be responsive to user input to cause the one or more processors to adjust at least one vascular segment of the graphical depiction.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the node-type classification is a crossing-type node.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the node-type classification is one or more of, a crossing-type node, a junction node, or a branching-type node.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the interactive user interface responds to user input indicating adjustment of the vascular path, the adjustment reflecting selection of an additional end point that forms the vascular path, and wherein one or more additional vascular segments is presented as extending to the additional end point.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subset of the vascular segments comprises at least three vascular segments.
9. An apparatus for defining a vascular path from a vascular image, the apparatus including:
a processor; and
a memory storing non-transitory computer-readable instructions, which when executed, cause the processor to:
estimate features of a plurality of vascular segments depicted in at least one vascular image, wherein individual vascular segments comprise a plurality of portions that extend between two end points depicted in the vascular image;
classify a node into a particular node-type classification, wherein the node is identified as a connection point between at least a subset of the vascular segments;
estimate a vascular path from at least the subset of the vascular segments; and
cause an interactive user interface to be presented, wherein the interactive user interface is configured to:
present a graphical depiction of at least some of the estimated vascular segments that form the vascular path, and
present a plurality of vascular path options for the vascular path based on one more criteria, the one or more criteria including at least the node-type classification and a continuity of direction, wherein the continuity of direction is determined in part by vascular intensity values of the at least one vascular image.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the interactive user interface is configured to present the plurality of vascular path options based on a ranking of the vascular path options in an order.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the interactive user interface is configured to be responsive to user input to cause the one or more processors to correct an error in the presentation of the graphical depiction.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the interactive user interface is configured to be responsive to user input to cause the one or more processors to adjust at least one vascular segment of the graphical depiction.
13. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the node-type classification is a crossing-type node.
14. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the node-type classification is one or more of, a crossing-type node, a junction node, or a branching-type node.
15. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the interactive user interface responds to user input indicating adjustment of the vascular path, the adjustment reflecting selection of an additional end point that forms the vascular path, and wherein one or more additional vascular segments is presented as extending to the additional end point.
16. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the subset of the vascular segments comprises at least three vascular segments.