Feature extraction for non-rigid motion analysis using continuity splines

Quantitative analysis of neurite outgrowth and growth cone motility provides key information for the development of new therapeutic strategies for treating peripheral nerve injury. The goal of this research is to track the motion of the growth cone through sequential time frames and to provide quantitative analysis of specific neurite modalities. The motion of the growth cone can be characterized as nonrigid, since the contour of the growth cone is constantly deforming. The problem of tracking the motion of nonrigid objects is addressed, and energy-minimizing active contour methods are used to track the motion of the growth cone