Image Segmentation Using Parametric Contours With Free Endpoints.

Benninghoff, Heike; Garcke, Harald · IEEE Trans Image Process · 2016

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

In this paper, we introduce a novel approach for active contours with free endpoints. A scheme for image segmentation is presented based on a discrete version of the Mumford-Shah functional where the contours can be both closed and open curves. Additional to a flow of the curves in normal direction, evolution laws for the tangential flow of the endpoints are derived. Using a parametric approach to describe the evolving contours together with an edge-preserving denoising, we obtain a fast method for image segmentation and restoration. The analytical and numerical schemes are presented followed by numerical experiments with artificial test images and with a real medical image.