Systems and methods for anatomy-based registration of medical images acquired with different imaging modalities

A method for registering a first medical image with a second medical image using a computer system, the steps of the method comprising:

• (a) providing a first medical image acquired with a first imaging modality to a computer system, wherein the first imaging modality is at least one of x-ray imaging or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);
• (b) providing a second medical image acquired with an MRI system to the computer system, wherein the second medical image is acquired using one of an ultrashort echo time (UTE) imaging technique or a diffusion-weighted imaging technique;
• (c) identifying a first set of anatomical features in the first medical image, the first set of anatomical features including at least one anatomical landmark on a bony structure;
• (d) identifying in the second medical image, a second set of anatomical features that includes anatomical features that are different from the anatomical features in the first set of anatomical features, the second set of anatomical features having a known spatial relationship with the first set of anatomical features and including at least one of an anatomical landmark on a bony structure or a portion of a fibrous connective tissue;
• (e) directing the computer system to determine registration parameters based on the first set of anatomical features, the second set of anatomical features, and the known spatial relationship between the first and second sets of anatomical features;
• and
• (f) directing the computer system to co-register the first medical image and the second medical image using the determined registration parameters.