In Image Analysis (Task 2.2), previously developed model-based
curve evolution techniques have been extended in several ways. They now incorporate
multiple objects, using landmarks from one tissue class to guide the segmentation
of nearby classes. This enables robust delineation of ensembles of organs of interest.
These methods have been amplified with physics-based deformation of anatomical
models, in addition to statistically registered observations in large samples
of medical image scans. The MRI prostate segmenter is now being ported to our
prostate intervention testbed in Task 2.1. In related work, hierarchical segmentation
methods have been developed, which incorporate statistical methods, surface evolution
methods, and atlas-driven template methods. These will be coupled with deformation
models, and the entire hierarchy will be applied to challenging segmentation problems.
The model-based evolution techniques will migrate toward clinical applications
through retrospective analysis of actual clinical data, for which the initial
application is prostate therapy with MRI guidance.