PROCEDES ET SYSTEMES POUR LA SEGMENTATION EN 3D D'IMAGES ECHOGRAPHIQUES

A method for three dimensional (3D) segmentation of an object is provided. The method obtains a volumetric data set containing object data and non-object data in proximity to the object data, the object data having a reference axis extending through the object data. The method defines at least one reference slice and multiple object slices within the volumetric data set, the reference slice and the object slices intersecting one another along the reference axis and containing the reference axis. Reference points are determined within the reference slice at edges of the object data. With reference points determined, the method generates an estimated contour extended through the reference and object slices based on the reference points, the estimated contour intersecting the object slices to define estimated contour points. The method then adjusts the estimated contour points until corresponding substantially to actual contour points of the object data.