Patent ID: 9665947
Date: 2017-05-30
CPC Classifications: G06T

Claim:
1. A method for improving alignment between representations of a same elongated anatomical feature in a first image and a second image, comprising: providing a computerized processor with image data representing a first image and a second image of a subject, each of said first and second images containing the same elongated anatomical feature of the subject therein; in said processor, automatically calculating a centerline from image data representing the elongated anatomical feature in the first image; without making any change to said image data in said second image, automatically evaluating in said processor, alignment of the calculated centerline with image data at respective positions in the second image at which actual image data in said second image represent the same elongated anatomical feature by, for each respective position, deriving a value of a metric that indicates a quality of alignment of the calculated centerline with said image data at that respective position in the second image; in said processor, automatically optimizing the metric to provide a rigid transform between said first and second images; in said processor, automatically applying the rigid transform to the calculated centerline, or to the second image, to produce an improved alignment between the first and second images with respect to the elongated anatomical feature; and making the first and second images available at an output of the processor in an electronic form allowing a visual presentation of said first and second images at a display with said improved alignment with respect to said elongated anatomical feature.