Method for Determining a Registration Between a 3d Image and a Set of at Least Two 2d Images

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This patent describes a method for accurately aligning (registering) a 3D image of a region of interest (such as part of a patient's body from CT or MRI scans) with two or more 2D images (like X-rays) of the same region, even when the 2D images are taken from different angles or at different times. The method selects specific points (contour points) from the 3D image and finds their corresponding locations in each 2D image. By defining mathematical relationships (conditions) between these points across the images, the method solves for the best alignment parameters, ensuring all images show the region of interest in the same position and orientation.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Image-guided surgery and interventional procedures where precise overlay of preoperative 3D scans and real-time 2D fluoroscopic images is required.
• Tracking and compensating for patient movement during medical imaging or surgery to maintain registration accuracy.
• Automatic alignment of 3D CT or MRI images with 2D X-ray images for treatment planning or diagnostic purposes.
• Robotic surgery systems that depend on accurate multi-modal image registration to guide instruments.
• Quality control and image fusion in medical imaging software platforms.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Improved accuracy of 2D/3D image registration, even when 2D images come from different angles or imaging geometries.
• Ability to update and maintain registration in real-time, accommodating patient movement or other dynamic changes.
• Reduction in information loss that occurs when only a single 2D image is used for registration, leading to more reliable alignments.
• Increased efficiency and robustness—uses mathematical optimization techniques that can handle outliers and varying imaging conditions.
• Enhanced support for multi-modal imaging, facilitating effective overlay of different types of medical images (e.g., X-ray with CT or MRI).

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Patent Abstract

Method for determining or updating a registration between a 3D image (1) of a region of interest (26) and a set of at least two 2D images (2, 3) of the same region of interest (26), wherein the 2D images (2, 3) are acquired using different imaging geometries, wherein the registration is described by a set of registration parameters, comprising the steps: - Selecting at least one respective contour point (4 - 7) in the 3D image (1) for each 2D image (2, 3), - Determining a 2D position (8 - 11) of a respective depiction of each contour point (4 - 7) in the respective 2D image (2, 3), - For each contour point (4 - 7) determining at least one condition for the registration parameters that needs to be fulfilled to map the respective contour point (4 - 7) to the respective 2D position (8 - 11) in the respective 2D image (2, 3), - Determining an updated set of registration parameters by solving a set of equations or an optimization problem that depends on the conditions.