Functional radiographic imaging methods and agents

A method of imaging tissue comprising:

• a) administering a composition having a general formula S-L-X, wherein:
• the X moiety is a carbon compound substituted with at least one atom having a K-absorption edge of about 13 keV to about 90 keV;
• the S moiety is a binding moiety;
• the L moiety is bonded to the S moiety and to the X moiety;
• and
• the global logP value of said composition is greater than about 0.0;
• b) generating a plurality of X-ray beams with predetermined different energy spectra;
• c) illuminating said tissue with each of said plurality of beams;
• d) acquiring a radiographic image of said tissue during illumination by each of said plurality of beams;
• and
• e) generating a single image from at least two of said radiographic images.

A composition having the general formula

• 15
• wherein:
• the X moiety is selected from alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkenyl, alkylamino and aryl, and is substituted with at least one atom having a K-absorption edge of about 13 keV to about 90 keV;
• the S moiety is selected from pyranose and furanose;
• the L moiety is selected from aryl, arylamido, alkylamido, alkyl, and thioamido, and is bonded to said X moiety and to said S moiety.

A composition having the general formula

• 16
• wherein:
• the X moiety is an aryl substituted with at least one atom having a K-absorption edge of about 13 keV to about 90 keV;
• the S moiety is selected from pyranose and furanose;
• the L moiety is bonded to the S moiety and to the X moiety;
• and
• the global logP value of said composition is greater than about 0.0.