Abstract: An image processing method for extracting a threadlike structure (GW) represented in an image, comprising a phase of acquisition (10) of a sequence of images, including an image of a present instant (t) in which the threadlike structure is to be extracted and an image of a past instant (t-1) in which the threadlike structure is detected as a string of points (Gt-1), and further comprising a phase of prediction (20) of a silhouette (?t) of the threadlike structure estimated from said detected string of points (Gt-1), of the image of the past instant, a phase of pursuit (30) for extracting a final string of points (Gt) representing the threadlike structure in the image of the present instant t, including steps of estimation of constraints (C2t, ?) based on said silhouette (?t) for performing said extraction.

Abstract: An image processing method for extracting a threadlike structure (GW) represented in an image, comprising a phase of acquisition (10) of a sequence of images, including an image of a present instant (t) in which the threadlike structure is to be extracted and an image of a past instant (t−1) in which the threadlike structure is detected as a string of points (Gt−1), and further comprising a phase of prediction (20) of a silhouette (Ĝt) of the threadlike structure estimated from said detected string of points (Gt−1), of the image of the past instant, a phase of pursuit (30) for extracting a final string of points (Gt) representing the threadlike structure in the image of the present instant t, including steps of estimation of constraints (C2t, &thgr;) based on said silhouette (Ĝt) for performing said extraction.

Abstract: An image processing method for extracting a thread-like structure (GW) represented on the background in a digital noisy original image (IM1,IM0), comprising steps of acquisition (1) of the original image data of one End-Point (P0, Q0) of the threadlike structure and comprising steps of iterative Front Propagation stage (4) starting from the unique End-Point (P0Q0) end supplying an End-Front (F1, F2) yielding End-Front Points (41); constructin a set of Candidate Paths between the unique End-Point (P0, Q0) and said End-Front Points and selecting (42) one Best Candidate Path for representing the threadlike structure. Application: Medical Imaging; X-ray apparatus with image processing means and display means.