Laser-plasma X-ray source, for producing radiation in veins and arteries, has small housing containing plasma forming target and laser control optics

摘要

The X-ray source (2) is contained within a housing (6) of diameter less than 2mm. The housing contains a target (8), which is irradiated by laser radiation (L) using fiber optics (4) and focussing optics (11) to form the X-ray producing plasma (P). Independent claims are included for: (1) a catheter with an X-ray source; (2) a system for intracorporeal X-ray irradiation.