TITLE: Geometric Deformable Model and Its Applications in Virtual Colonoscopy

SPEAKER: Professor Yaorong Ge,

Geometric deformable model (GDM) is an effective technique for low level image segmentation. GDM determines object boundaries by evolving an initial interface along the normal direction. A speed function controls how fast the interface moves. When the speed function is zero or sufficiently small, the evolution stops or slows down significantly, giving the indication of a possible boundary. Because the gradient flow equation that governs a GDM's evolution can be easily implemented with the level set technique, the GDM has the distinct advantage of allowing flexible topological changes in the boundary. Since its inception in 1996, the GDM has been successfully applied to many applications in medical imaging where variable geometry and flexible topology of the model is crucial. In this talk I will present the theory of GDM, some problems in its current formulation and some results of our proposed solutions. I will also discuss the application of GDM in virtual colonscopy - a minimally invasive technique for colorectal cancer screening.