Patent ID: 7231076

Claim:
An image registration system for registering at least one 2D image of an anatomical region with previously generated 3D scan data of the anatomical region, the anatomical region including at least one treatment target and at least one reference structure, wherein the 2D image is generated in near real time by detecting one or more radiographic imaging beams after the imaging beams have traversed at least a portion of the anatomical region, the imaging beams having known intensities and known positions and angles relative to the anatomical region, the system comprising: means for providing the 3D scan data of the anatomical region; a scan data modifier configured to modify the 3D scan data so as to compensate for a difference between the ratio of bone-to-tissue attenuation at the energy level of the 3D scan, and the ratio of bone-to-tissue attenuation at the energy level of the imaging beam used for the near real-time 2D image; a DRR generator configured to generate at least one DRR (digitally reconstructed radiograph) of the anatomical region, using the 3D scan data and the known locations, angles, and intensities of the imaging beams; an ROI selector configured to select an ROI (region of interest) within the DRR, the ROI including the image of the treatment target and of the reference structure; a motion field generator configured to generate a 3D full motion field within the ROI by estimating a plurality of local motion fields within the ROI; and a parameter determiner configured to determine from the 3D full motion field a set of non-rigid transformation parameters that represent the difference in the position and orientation of the treatment target as shown in the 2D image, as compared to the position and orientation of the treatment target as shown in the DRR.