Skeletonization: Theory, Methods and Applications is a comprehensive reference on skeletonization, written by the world's leading researchers in the field. The book presents theory, methods, algorithms and their evaluation, together with applications. Skeletonization is used in many image processing and computer vision applications such as shape recognition and analysis, shape decomposition and character recognition, as well as medical imaging for pulmonary, cardiac, mammographic applications. Part I includes theories and methods unique to skeletonization. Part II includes novel applications including skeleton-based characterization of human trabecular bone micro-architecture, image registration and correspondence establishment in anatomical structures, skeleton-based fast, fully automated generation of vessel tree structure for clinical evaluation of blood vessel systems.

There has been rapid growth in biomedical engineering in recent decades, given advancements in medical imaging and physiological modelling and sensing systems, coupled with immense growth in computational and network technology, analytic approaches, visualization and virtual-reality, man-machine interaction and automation. Biomedical engineering involves applying engineering principles to the medical and biological sciences and it comprises several topics including biomedicine, medical imaging, physiological modelling and sensing, instrumentation, real-time systems, automation and control, signal processing, image reconstruction, processing and analysis, pattern recognition, and biomechanics. It holds great promise for the diagnosis and treatment of complex medical conditions, in particular, as we can now target direct clinical applications, research and development in biomedical engineering is helping us to develop innovative implants and prosthetics, create new medical imaging technologies and improve tools and techniques for the detection, prevention and treatment of diseases. The contributing authors in this edited book present representative surveys of advances in their respective fields, focusing in particular on techniques for the analysis of complex biomedical data. The book will be a useful reference for graduate students, researchers and industrial practitioners in computer science, biomedical engineering, and computational and molecular biology.