# US 12,594,047 B2 · Contrast agent-based vascular imaging > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,594,047 B2 - Document ID: US12594047B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/779,637 - Filed: 2020-11-04 - Published: 2023-01-05 - Granted: 2026-04-07 - Earliest claimed: 2019-11-29 - Assignees: Siemens Healthineers AG - Applicants: Siemens Healthineers AG; Bayer AG - Inventors: Thomas Flohr; Bernhard Schmidt; Gregor Jost; Hubertus Pietsch - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12594047B2 ## CPC - A61B 6/481: {involving the use of contrast agents} - A61B 6/504: {for diagnosis of blood vessels, e.g. by angiography} - A61B 6/032: {Transmission computed tomography [CT]} - A61B 6/405: {Source units specially adapted to modify characteristics of the beam during the data acquisition process (A61B6/4021, A61B6/4035 take precedence)} - A61B 6/4241: {using energy resolving detectors, e.g. photon counting} - A61B 6/482: {involving multiple energy imaging} - A61B 6/5205: {involving processing of raw data to produce diagnostic data} - A61K 49/04: X-ray contrast preparations - G06T 12/00: Tomographic reconstruction from projections - G06T 2210/41: Medical - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D) - G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL ## Abstract Embodiments of the present invention relates to an X-ray contrast agent. The X-ray contrast agent has an X-ray absorption the change of which between at least two different X-ray photon energy levels differs from the change in X-ray absorption of calcium between the at least two different X-ray photon energy level. Embodiments of the present invention also relates to an X-ray imaging method. Embodiments of the present invention additionally relates to an image reconstruction device. Embodiments of the present invention further relates to an X-ray imaging system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An X-ray contrast agent including, at least one selected material having a first X-ray absorption that is different from a second X-ray absorption of calcium, to cause a visual difference on a resulting image between the X-ray contrast agent and calcium when subjected to at least two different X-ray photon energies. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The X-ray contrast agent of claim 1, wherein the X-ray absorption of the X-ray contrast agent for the at least two different X-ray photon energies is not significantly different. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The X-ray contrast agent of claim 1, wherein a spectrum of the X-ray absorption of the X-ray contrast agent is similar to a spectrum of the X-ray absorption of water or soft tissue. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The X-ray contrast agent of claim 1, wherein the at least one selected material has at least one of the following materials: tungsten, tantalum, hafnium, or gold. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An X-ray imaging method, comprising: selecting the X-ray contrast agent of claim 1, capturing X-ray raw data from a region of an examination object using a multi-energy recording method, the region of the examination object including the X-ray contrast agent, carrying out a material decomposition based on the X-ray raw data in relation to the X-ray contrast agent and calcium, and reconstructing at least two image datasets based on the material decomposition, the at least two image datasets including, a first image dataset representing a first image region defined by an area subjected to the X-ray contrast agent, and a second image dataset representing a second image region, the second image region including at least one calcified structure and being complementary to the first image region. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The X-ray imaging method of claim 5, further comprising: a multi-energy imaging method including, specifying at least two different X-ray tube voltages at which a change in the X-ray absorption of the X-ray contrast agent significantly differs from calcium, capturing at least two datasets of X-ray image recordings that have been recorded with the at least two different X-ray tube voltages for acquisition of a first raw dataset and at least one second raw dataset, and carrying out the material decomposition based on the first raw dataset and the at least one second raw dataset. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The X-ray imaging method of claim 5, further comprising: capturing X-ray raw data using a photon-counting detector in an energy-resolved manner, wherein energy thresholds of the photon-counting detector are set such that therewith, a change in the X-ray absorption of the X-ray contrast agent differs from the change in the X-ray absorption of calcium, carrying out the material decomposition based on the X-ray raw data. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The X-ray imaging method of claim 5, further comprising: a CT angiographic imaging method. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An image reconstruction facility, having: a memory configured to store instructions; and a processor configured to execute the instructions to cause the image reconstruction facility to ascertain at least two different X-ray photon energies at which the X-ray contrast agent of claim 1 differs significantly from a change in the X-ray absorption of calcium between the at least two different X-ray photon energies, receive X-ray raw data from a region of an examination object which is partially flooded by the X-ray contrast agent via a multi-energy recording method, carry out a material decomposition based on the X-ray raw data in relation to the X-ray contrast agent and calcium, and reconstruct at least two image datasets based on the material decomposition, the at least two image datasets including, a first image dataset representing a first image region affected by the X-ray contrast agent, and a second image dataset representing a second image region, the second image region being complementary to the first image region. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An X-ray imaging system, having the image reconstruction facility of claim 9. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The X-ray imaging system of claim 10, having a CT angiography facility. ### Claim 12 (depends on 5) A computer program product having a computer program, when executed by a storage facility of an X-ray imaging system, cause the X-ray imaging system to perform the method of claim 5. ### Claim 13 (depends on 5) A non-transitory computer-readable medium on which program portions that can be read in and executed by a computer unit are stored, is configured to cause the computer unit to perform the method of claim 5. ### Claim 14 (depends on 2) The X-ray contrast agent of claim 2, wherein a spectrum of the X-ray absorption of the X-ray contrast agent is similar to a spectrum of the X-ray absorption of water or soft tissue. ### Claim 15 (depends on 2) The X-ray contrast agent of claim 2, wherein the at least one selected material has at least one of the following materials: tungsten, tantalum, hafnium, or gold. ### Claim 16 (depends on 3) The X-ray contrast agent of claim 3, wherein the at least one selected material has at least one of the following materials: tungsten, tantalum, hafnium, or gold. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The X-ray contrast agent of claim 1, wherein the X-ray absorption for the X-ray contrast agent for the at least two different X-ray photon energies is less than half a change in the X-ray absorption of calcium for the at least two different X-ray photon energies.