A fast level set-like algorithm for region-based active contours

Abstract

Implicit active contours are widely employed in image processing and related areas. Their implementation using the level set framework brings several advantages over parametric snakes. In particular, a parameterization independence, topological flexibility, and straightforward extension into higher dimensions have led to their popularity. On the other hand, a numerical solution of associated partial differential equations (PDEs) is very time-consuming, especially for large 3D images. In this paper, we modify a fast level set-like algorithm by Nilsson and Heyden [14] intended for tracking gradient-based active contours in order to obtain a fast algorithm for tracking region-based active contours driven by the Chan-Vese model. The potential of the proposed algorithm and its comparison with two other fast methods minimizing the Chan-Vese model are demonstrated on both synthetic and real image data. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.