A method for vessel segmentation and tracking in ultrasound images using Kalman filters is presented. A modified Star-Kalman algorithm is used to determine vessel contours and ellipse parameters using an extended Kalman filter with an elliptical model. The parameters can be used to easily calculate the transverse vessel area which is of clinical use. A temporal Kalman filter is used for tracking the vessel center over several frames, using location measurements from a handheld sensorized ultrasound probe. The segmentation and tracking have been implemented in real-time and validated using simulated ultrasound data with known features and real data, for which expert segmentation was performed. Results indicate that mean errors between segmented contours and expert tracings are on the order of 1%-2% of the maximum feature dimension, and that the transverse cross-sectional vessel area as computed from estimated ellipse parameters a, b as determined by our algorithm is within 10% of that determined by experts. The location of the vessel center was tracked accurately for a range of speeds from 1.4 to 11.2 mm/s.

A system for objective vessel compression assessment for deep venous thrombosis characterization using ultrasound image data and a sensorized ultrasound probe is presented. Two new objective measures calculated from applied force and transverse vessel area are also presented and used to describe vessel compressibility. A modified star-Kalman algorithm is used for feature detection in acquired ultrasound images, and objective measures of vessel compressibility are calculated from the detected features and acquired force and location data from the sensorized probe. A three-dimensional shape model of the examined vessel that includes compressibility measures mapped as colors to its surface is presented on the user interface, as well as a virtual representation of the image plane. The compressibility measures were validated using expert segmentation of healthy and diseased vessels and compared using paired t-tests, which showed a significant difference between healthy and diseased cases for both measures. 100% sensitivity and specificity were obtained for both measures. The system was implemented in real-time (16 Hz) and evaluated using a tissue phantom and on healthy human subjects. Sensitivity was 100% and 60%, while specificity was 97% for both measures when implemented. The initial results for the system and its components are promising.

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ABSTRACT:Underground pipelines pose numerous challenges to 3D visualization. Pipes and cables are conceptually simple and narrow objects with clearly defined shapes, spanned over large geographical areas and made of multiple segments. Pipes are usually maintained as linear objects in the databases. However, the visualization of lines in 3D is difficult to perceive as such lines lack the volumetric appearance, which introduces depth perception and allows understanding the disposition and relationships between the objects on the screen. Therefore the lines should be replaced by volumetric shapes, such as parametric shapes (cylinders) or triangular meshes. The reconstruction of the 3D shape of the pipes has to be done on the fly and therefore it is important to select a 3D representation which will not degrade the performance. If a reconstruction method provides a good performance, the visualization of pipes and cables is guaranteed to provide a smooth experience to the final user, enabling richer scenes but also establishing the visualization requirements in terms of hardware and software to display underground utilities.This paper presents our investigations on a strategy for creating a 3D pipes for 3D visualisation. It is assumed that the pipelines are stored in a database and portions of them are retrieved for 3D reconstruction and 3D visualization. Generally, the reconstruction of underground utilities can be performed in different ways and should lead to realistic appearance, produce visual continuity between segments, include objects depicting specific connections and even consider buffer volumes displaying the uncertainty and the security distance between objects. The creation of such visually pleasing reconstructions may require very detailed shapes, which will increase the complexity of the scene and degrade the performance. This research has identified four criteria to measure the complexity of the scene and conclude on a 3D reconstruction strategy: number of scene graph nodes, number of triangles and vertices on the screen, needed transformations and appearance options. On the basis of these criteria a testing framework is developed. Ten different strategies for 3D reconstruction are defined and tested for X3D, X3DOM and WebGL. The paper analyses the results of the tests and concludes on the best strategy.

Novel energy and atom efficiency processes will be keys to develop the sustainable chemical industry of the future. Electrification could play an important role, by allowing to fine-tune energy input...