Multi-modality deformable registration

Abstract

A method, system, and computer program product are provided for performing a multi-modal deformable imaging registration between two different modalities for which a functional dependency is missing or very difficult to identify. The method provides a nonlinear mapping between every pair of points in the two image modalities by calculating the nonlinear mapping for only a limited number of identifiable landmarks within the two modalities and a statistical deformation model of the structure of interest. The method comprises: calculating a mean deformation and a plurality of deformation mode Eigen vectors for a body structure from images from the same imaging mode with different deformation states for a plurality of subjects; performing a registration of a limited number of uniquely identifiable landmark points between images from two different imaging modalities for the same subject to calculate the deformation field for the landmarks from the images; determining weights for each deformation mode Eigen vector using deformation field values at the landmarks with the mean deformation and the deformation mode vectors; and summing the mean deformation field and the linear combination of the weighted deformation mode vectors to determine the deformation field between the different imaging modes for all the points within the images.