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Jaume Garcia, Albert Andaluz, Debora Gil, & Francesc Carreras. (2010). "Decoupled External Forces in a Predictor-Corrector Segmentation Scheme for LV Contours in Tagged MR Images " In 32nd Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (pp. 4805–4808).
Abstract: Computation of functional regional scores requires proper identification of LV contours. On one hand, manual segmentation is robust, but it is time consuming and requires high expertise. On the other hand, the tag pattern in TMR sequences is a problem for automatic segmentation of LV boundaries. We propose a segmentation method based on a predictorcorrector (Active Contours – Shape Models) scheme. Special stress is put in the definition of the AC external forces. First, we introduce a semantic description of the LV that discriminates myocardial tissue by using texture and motion descriptors. Second, in order to ensure convergence regardless of the initial contour, the external energy is decoupled according to the orientation of the edges in the image potential. We have validated the model in terms of error in segmented contours and accuracy of regional clinical scores.
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Jaume Garcia, Debora Gil, Joel Barajas, Francesc Carreras, Sandra Pujades, & Petia Radeva. (2006). "Characterization of ventricular torsion in healthy subjects using Gabor filters and a variational framework " In Proc. Computers in Cardiology (pp. 877–880).
Abstract: In this work, we present a fully automated method for tissue deformation estimation in tagged magnetic resonance images (TMRI). Gabor filter banks, tuned independently for each left ventricle level, provide optimally filtered complex images which phase remains constant along the cardiac cycle. This fact can be thought as the brightness constancy condition required by classical optical flow (OF) methods. Pairs of these filtered sequences, together with a variational formulation are used in a second step to obtain dense continuous deformation maps that we call Harmonic Phase Flow. This method has been used to determine reference values of ventricular torsion (VT) in a set of 8 healthy volunteers. The results encourage the use of VT as a useful parameter for ventricular function assessment in clinical routine.
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Jaume Garcia, Debora Gil, A.Bajo, M.J.Ledesma-Carbayo, & C.SantaMarta. (2008). "Influence of the temporal resolution on the quantification of displacement fields in cardiac magnetic resonance tagged images " In Alan Murray (Ed.), Proc. Computers in Cardiology (Vol. 35, pp. 785–788).
Abstract: It is difficult to acquire tagged cardiac MR images with a high temporal and spatial resolution using clinical MR scanners. However, if such images are used for quantifying scores based on motion, it is essential a resolution as high as possible. This paper explores the influence of the temporal resolution of a tagged series on the quantification of myocardial dynamic parameters. To such purpose we have designed a SPAMM (Spatial Modulation of Magnetization) sequence allowing acquisition of sequences at simple and double temporal resolution. Sequences are processed to compute myocardial motion by an automatic technique based on the tracking of the harmonic phase of tagged images (the Harmonic Phase Flow, HPF). The results have been compared to manual tracking of myocardial tags. The error in displacement fields for double resolution sequences reduces 17%.
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C. Santa-Marta, Jaume Garcia, A. Bajo, J.J. Vaquero, M. Ledesma-Carbayo, & Debora Gil. (2008)." Influence of the Temporal Resolution on the Quantification of Displacement Fields in Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Tagged Images" In S. A. Roberto hornero (Ed.), XXVI Congreso Anual de la Sociedad Española de Ingenieria Biomedica (352–353).
Abstract: It is difficult to acquire tagged cardiac MR images with a high temporal and spatial resolution using clinical MR scanners. However, if such images are used for quantifying scores based on motion, it is essential a resolution as high as possibl e. This paper explores the influence of the temporal resolution of a tagged series on the quantification of myocardial dynamic parameters. To such purpose we have designed a SPAMM (Spatial Modulation of Magnetization) sequence allowing acquisition of sequences at simple and double temporal resolution. Sequences are processed to compute myocardial motion by an automatic technique based on the tracking of the harmonic phase of tagged images (the Harmonic Phase Flow, HPF). The results have been compared to manual tracking of myocardial tags. The error in displacement fields for double resolution sequences reduces 17%.
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Debora Gil, Jaume Garcia, Aura Hernandez-Sabate, & Enric Marti. (2010). "Manifold parametrization of the left ventricle for a statistical modelling of its complete anatomy " In 8th Medical Imaging (Vol. 7623, 304). SPIE.
Abstract: Distortion of Left Ventricle (LV) external anatomy is related to some dysfunctions, such as hypertrophy. The architecture of myocardial fibers determines LV electromechanical activation patterns as well as mechanics. Thus, their joined modelling would allow the design of specific interventions (such as peacemaker implantation and LV remodelling) and therapies (such as resynchronization). On one hand, accurate modelling of external anatomy requires either a dense sampling or a continuous infinite dimensional approach, which requires non-Euclidean statistics. On the other hand, computation of fiber models requires statistics on Riemannian spaces. Most approaches compute separate statistical models for external anatomy and fibers architecture. In this work we propose a general mathematical framework based on differential geometry concepts for computing a statistical model including, both, external and fiber anatomy. Our framework provides a continuous approach to external anatomy supporting standard statistics. We also provide a straightforward formula for the computation of the Riemannian fiber statistics. We have applied our methodology to the computation of complete anatomical atlas of canine hearts from diffusion tensor studies. The orientation of fibers over the average external geometry agrees with the segmental description of orientations reported in the literature.
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Sandra Pujades, Francesc Carreras, Manuel Ballester, Jaume Garcia, & Debora Gil. (2008). "A Normalized Parametric Domain for the Analysis of the Left Ventricular Function " In Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Computer Vision Theory and Applications (VISAPP’08) (Vol. 1, pp. 267–274).
Abstract: Impairment of left ventricular (LV) contractility due to cardiovascular diseases is reflected in LV motion patterns. The mechanics of any muscle strongly depends on the spatial orientation of its muscular fibers since the motion that the muscle undergoes mainly takes place along the fiber. The helical ventricular myocardial band (HVMB) concept describes the myocardial muscle as a unique muscular band that twists in space in a non homogeneous fashion. The 3D anisotropy of the ventricular band fibers suggests a regional analysis of the heart motion. Computation of normality models of such motion can help in the detection and localization of any cardiac disorder. In this paper we introduce, for the first time, a normalized parametric domain that allows comparison of the left ventricle motion across patients. We address, both, extraction of the LV motion from Tagged Magnetic Resonance images, as well as, defining a mapping of the LV to a common normalized domain. Extraction of normality motion patterns from 17 healthy volunteers shows the clinical potential of our LV parametrization.
Keywords: Helical Ventricular Myocardial Band; Myocardial Fiber; Tagged Magnetic Resonance; HARP; Optical Flow Variational Framework; Gabor Filters; B-Splines.
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Jaume Garcia, David Rotger, Francesc Carreras, R.Leta, & Petia Radeva. (2003). "Contrast echography segmentation and tracking by trained deformable models " In Proc. Computers in Cardiology (Vol. 30, pp. 173–176). Centre de Visió per Computador – Dept. Informàtica, UAB Edifici O – Campus UAB, 08193 Bellater.
Abstract: The objective of this work is to segment the human left ventricle myocardium (LVM) in contrast echocardiography imaging and thus track it along a cardiac cycle in order to extract quantitative data about heart function. Ultrasound images are hard to work with due to their speckle appearance. To overcome this we report the combination of active contour models (ACM) or snakes and active shape models (ASM). The ability of ACM in giving closed and smooth curves in addition to the power of the ASM in producing shapes similar to the ones learned, evoke to a robust algorithm. Meanwhile the snake is attracted towards image main features, ASM acts as a correction factor. The algorithm was tested independently on 180 frames and satisfying results were obtained: in 95% the maximum difference between automatic and experts segmentation was less than 12 pixels.
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Jaume Garcia, Debora Gil, Francesc Carreras, Sandra Pujades, & R.Leta. (2007). "Modelització 4-Dimensional de la Funció Siatólica del Ventricle Esquerre " In XIX Congrés de la Societat Catalana de Cardiologia de Barcelona (pp. 133–134). Barcelona (Spain).
Abstract: L’evolució tecnològica en el tractament de les imatges mèdiques permet reconstruir, amb el software apropiat, imatges tridimensionals de les estructures cardiovasculars i dotar-les de moviment. Les imatges 4D resultants faciliten l’estudi de la fisiopatologia de la insuficiència cardíaca en base als transtorns de l’activació electromecànica ventricular, el que pot ser d’interès en el procés de selecció de pacients candidats a teràpies de resincronització. Presentem els resultats preliminars de la reconstrucció 4D del ventricle esquerre (VE) a partir de les seqüències de tagging miocàrdic del VE.
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Jaume Garcia, Debora Gil, Francesc Carreras, Sandra Pujades, R.Leta, Xavier Alomar, et al. (2008). "Un Model 3D del Ventricle Esquerre Integrant Anatomia i Funcionalitat " In XX Congrés de la Societat Catalana de Cardiologia, Actes del Congres (122). Barcelona.
Abstract: Els canvis en la dinàmica del Ventricle Esquerre (VE) reflecteixen la majoria de malalties cardiovasculars . Els avenços en imatge mèdica han impulsat la recerca en models i simulacions de la dinàmica 3D del VE . La majoria dels models existents sols consideren l’anatomia externa del VE i no permeten una avaluació de l’acoblament electromecànic . Donat que la mecànica d’un muscle depèn de la orientació de les seves fibres, un model realista hauria d’incloure la disposició espacial de la banda ventricular helicoidal (BVH) .
Proposem desenvolupar un model del VE adaptat a cada pacient que integri, per primer cop, l’anatomia de la banda ventricular, l’anatomia externa del VE i la seva funcionalitat, per a una millor determinació del patró d’activació electromecànica
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Joel Barajas, Jaume Garcia, Karla Lizbeth Caballero, Francesc Carreras, Sandra Pujades, & Petia Radeva. (2006). "Correction of Misalignment Artifacts Among 2-D Cardiac MR Images in 3-D Space " In 1st International Wokshop on Computer Vision for Intravascular and Intracardiac Imaging (CVII’06) (Vol. 3217, pp. 114–121). Copenhagen (Denmark).
Abstract: Cardiac Magnetic Resonance images offer the opportunity to study the heart in detail. One of the main issues in its modelling is to create an accurate 3-D reconstruction of the left ventricle from 2-D views. A first step to achieve this goal is the correct registration among the different image planes due to patient movements. In this article, we present an accurate method to correct displacement artifacts using the Normalized Mutual Information. Here, the image views are treated as planes in order to diminish the approximation error caused by the association of a certain thickness, and moved simultaneously to avoid any kind of bias in the alignment process. This method has been validated using real and syntectic plane displacements, yielding promising results.
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