A miniature X-ray source device connected to a distal end of a guiding wire for
insertion towards a desired location within an animal body for effecting radiation
thereby. The X-ray source device at least includes a vacuum tube containing a cathode
and an anode spaced apart at a distance from each other; an emitter for emitting
free electrons from the cathode; an electric field generator for applying a high-voltage
electric field between the cathode and the anode for accelerating the emitted free
electrons towards the anode; and a getter material located in a high-voltage electric
field free region in the vacuum tube. The vacuum tube is at least partly transparent
to X-ray radiation emitted by the anode.