Dual-Energy Vascular Imaging With Gadolinium Contrast Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray imaging techniques struggle to accurately distinguish between iodine-filled vessels and bones or calcifications due to similar density values, leading to inaccurate vessel diameter measurements, especially in complex anatomical structures, and require high radiation doses to improve image separation.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray contrast medium with significantly different X-ray absorption behavior at different photon energies is used, allowing for precise material separation through dual-energy imaging, enabling separate visualization of calcium and contrast agent areas, and reducing radiation dose.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If iodine contrast agent is used to visualize blood vessels, then vessel visualization is achieved, but bones and calcifications cannot be distinguished from contrast-filled vessels due to similar density values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the contrast agent by using gadolinium-based contrast media instead of iodine-based agents. Gadolinium exhibits different X-ray absorption characteristics across energy spectra compared to calcium, enabling spectral differentiation. This parameter change allows simultaneous visualization of vessels and bones without overlap, resolving the contradiction between vessel visualization and bone differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dual-energy or multi-energy imaging techniques that combine multiple X-ray energy spectra to create composite material decomposition. By analyzing the differential absorption of gadolinium and calcium across different energy ranges, the system generates separate material-specific images that clearly distinguish vessels from bones and calcifications.
2Measurement precision
If dual-energy imaging is used to separate bone and contrast agent pixels, then material separation is achieved, but image noise increases and material separation becomes imprecise due to similar spectral absorption behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the contrast agent parameter from iodine to gadolinium, which has fundamentally different spectral absorption characteristics compared to calcium. Gadolinium's K-edge at 50.2 keV creates a distinct absorption profile that diverges significantly from calcium's spectral behavior, enabling reliable material decomposition with reduced noise and improved separation precision in dual-energy imaging.
3Measurement precision
If radiation dose is increased to improve image separation, then material differentiation improves, but health burden on patient increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the contrast agent's atomic number and spectral properties by using gadolinium (Z=64) instead of iodine (Z=53). This parameter change creates more pronounced differences in X-ray absorption across energy spectra, enhancing material separation efficiency. The improved spectral differentiation allows for lower radiation doses while maintaining or improving image separation quality, thereby reducing patient health burden.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Accurate visualization of vessel inner diameters is achieved with lower radiation exposure, improving diagnostic precision and reducing health risks.
Implementation Method 1
The X-ray contrast medium for visualizing blood vessels permeated with the X-ray contrast medium exhibits an X-ray absorption whose change between at least two different X-ray photon energies differs significantly from the change in the X-ray absorption of calcium between the at least two different X-ray photon energies
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an X-ray contrast agent. The X-ray contrast agent (K) has an X-ray absorption the change of which between at least two different X-ray photon energy levels (E(1), E(2)) differs significantly from the change in X-ray absorption of calcium between the at least two different X-ray photon energy levels (E(1), E(2)). The invention also relates to an X-ray imaging method. The invention additionally relates to an image reconstruction device (50). The invention further relates to an X-ray imaging system (60).