1. Data Loading

▪Load the reference images. They define the final resolution of the matched images.

▪Load one or more input image series. These series are automatically resliced to the reference using information in the image headers.

2. Matching Initialization

▪Improve the initial alignment of the images before starting one of the automatic matching methods.

▪Test the different available initializations such as aligning the data set origins, the image volume centers, and the center of gravity.

▪Shift and rotate the input images manually to come into a reasonable alignment.

3. Automatic Matching

▪Select an appropriate matching method, rigid or elastic.

▪Initialize the matching parameters by selecting one of the presets reflecting different situations (human ↔ animal, intra-modality ↔ multi-modality).

▪Start the matching algorithm.

4. Results Inspection and Adjustment

▪Visually check the alignment, either on the Initialize/Match page, or on the Adjust/Compare page.

▪Perform the check in different parts of the volume and with different fusion renderings.

▪In the case of rigid matching the result can be fine tuned interactively, preferably on the Adjust/Compare page.  

5. Results Saving

▪Save the matched images for further analysis on the Initialize/Match page.

▪Save the transformation and its inverse in order to re-apply them to the original images or to VOIs at a later time.

6. Image Analysis and Results Documentation

▪With the resulting images perform the different types of analysis which are possible in the PFUS tool.

▪Save these results and create reports