The application of cellular neural network (CNN) has made great progress in image processing. When the selected objects extraction (SOE) CNN is applied to gray scale images, its effects depend on the choice of initial points. In this paper, we take medical images as an example to analyze this limitation. Then an improved algorithm is proposed in which we can segment any gray level objects regardless of the limitation stated above. We also use the gradient information and contour detection CNN to determine the contour and ensure the veracity of segmentation effectively. Finally, we apply the improved algorithm to tumor segmentation of the human brain MR image. The experimental results show that the algorithm is practical and effective.
