The present invention relates to a method for registration of a sequence
of 2D image data (5) of a hollow channel (2), in particular of a vessel,
recorded with an imaging endoluminal instrument (1) when the relative
displacement positions of the instrument (1) in the hollow channel (2)
are known, with 3D image data (8) of the hollow channel (2). In the
method a three-dimensional path of a central axis (10) of a definable
section of the hollow channel (2) is determined from the 3D image data
(8), the three-dimensional path of the central axis (10) is converted
into a rectilinear path by a first transformation of the 3D image data
(8) of the definable section of the hollow channel (2) and transformation
parameters required for the first transformation are stored. A combined
3D image data record (11) is generated from the sequence of 2D image data
(5) by a parallel side-by-side arrangement on a central straight line in
accordance with the known relative displacement positions, and is first
registered with the transformed 3D image data (9) by equating the central
straight line with the rectilinear path of the central axis (10) and
suitable translation for superposition of a shared reference point. The
combined 3D image data record (11) or 2D image data (5) contained therein
is then registered with the 3D image data (3), taking into account the
stored transformation parameters.