We propose a novel external force for active contours by normalizing normal and tangent components of the gradient vector flow (GVF) along a generalized edge within the iteration process. The normal and tangent components normalization based GVF (NTCN-GVF) is inspired by the CN-GGVF which normalizes the x- and y-components of the generalized GVF (GGVF) to strengthen the smaller downward component of the external force within the long and thin indentations (LTIs). However, the strengthening effect is sensitive to the orientation of LTIs and excessive in homogeneous areas. NTCN-GVF behaves like CN-GGVF along the edge and conventional vector-based normalized GVF in homogeneous areas. Consequently, the NTCN-GVF snake can capture differently orientated LTIs and preserve weak edges while maintaining other desirable properties of enlarged capture range and noise robustness. Finally, experimental results are presented to verify the effectiveness of the method.
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