PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mechanism of a highly accurate and high-speed positioning process of an ultrasonic image and a three-dimensional medical image.SOLUTION: An image processing apparatus includes: a shape obtaining section for obtaining information indicating a surface shape of a target object a discrimination section for discriminating a contact portion and a noncontact portion of an imaging surface of an ultrasonic probe which captures an ultrasonic image of the target object, with the target object a position and attitude obtaining section for obtaining information indicating the position and attitude of the ultrasonic probe at the time of imaging and an alignment section for estimating deformation of the target object based on information indicating the surface shape, a discrimination result obtained by the discrimination section, and information indicating the position and attitude, and aligning the surface shape with the ultrasonic image.COPYRIGHT: (C)2013,JPO&INPIT【課題】超音波画像と三次元医用画像との高精度かつ高速な位置合わせ処理の仕組みを提供する。【解決手段】対象物体の表面形状を示す情報を取得する形状取得部と、対象物体の超音波画像を撮影する超音波プローブの撮影面における対象物体との接触部と非接触部とを判別する判別部と、超音波プローブの撮影時の位置姿勢を示す情報を取得する位置姿勢取得部と、表面形状を示す情報と判別部による判別結果と位置姿勢を示す情報とに基づいて対象物体の変形を推定し、表面形状と超音波画像との位置合わせを行う位置合わせ部と、を備える。【選択図】 図3
