Automated registration of multimodality images by maximization of a region similarity measure

Abstract

This paper presents a robust algorithm for automated registration of images related by rigid-body transformations. This algorithm uses a new region-based similarity metric, which enables accurate registration of images of large contrast differences. Region segmentation required by the metric is accomplished using a multiscale segmentation algorithm, and minimization of this metric is done using the Powell direction set method. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate that the algorithm is effective for aligning images from single or multiple imaging modalities without the use of any fiducial markers.