초록 ▼

This invention is directed to a radiation source comprising a power supply, a flexible fiber optic cable assembly, a light source, and a target assembly. The power supply includes a first terminal and a second terminal, and elements for establishing an output voltage between the first terminal and t

This invention is directed to a radiation source comprising a power supply, a flexible fiber optic cable assembly, a light source, and a target assembly. The power supply includes a first terminal and a second terminal, and elements for establishing an output voltage between the first terminal and the second terminal. The flexible fiber optical cable assembly has an originating end and a terminating end, and includes a fiber optical element extending from the originating end to the terminating end. The cable is adapted for transmitting light incident on the originating end to the terminating end. The light source includes elements for generating a beam of light at and directed to the originating end of the fiber optical cable assembly. The target assembly is affixed to the terminating end of the fiber optical cable assembly and is electrically coupled to the power supply by way of the first terminal and the second terminal. The target assembly includes elements for emitting radiation in a predetermined spectral range, in response to light transmitted to the terminating end.

대표청구항 ▼

[What is claimed is:] [1.]a flexible catheter extending along a probe axis between a proximal end and a distal end of the catheter;a radiation source having a substantially rigid housing defining a substantially evacuated interior region extending along a beam axis between an electron source at an i

[What is claimed is:] [1.]a flexible catheter extending along a probe axis between a proximal end and a distal end of the catheter;a radiation source having a substantially rigid housing defining a substantially evacuated interior region extending along a beam axis between an electron source at an input end of the housing and a radiation transmissive window at an output end of the housing, the housing having a transmission target adjacent to said radiation transmissive window and responsive to incident accelerated free electrons to emit radiation whereby the radiation emitted therefrom is directed through the radiation transmissive window, the housing having the input end affixed to the distal end of the catheter;means responsive to a signal at the proximal end of the catheter for selectively activating the electron source to emit free electrons in the interior regiona channel electron multiplier adapted for receiving electrons from the electron source, at an input end, and adapted for producing free electrons at an output end; andan electron accelerator adapted for establishing a potential difference in the interior region of the radiation source whereby the free electrons are accelerated toward the target in a beam in which the electrons in said beam propagate along paths substantially parallel to said beam axis.