METHOD AND PDT PROBE FOR MINIMIZING CT AND MRI IMAGE ARTIFACTS

An implantable probe (100) having a non-metallic insulating base (126), non- metallic conductive traces (104, 106) supported by the base (126), and a plurality of non-metallic light sources supported by the base (126) and coupled to the conductive traces (104, 106). The conductive traces (104, 106 ) and the light sources are fabricated from the conductive polymer, which does not cause any artifacts if the implantable probe (100) includes an enclosure (102) that is transparent and hermetically encloses the base (126), the pair of conductive traces (104, 106), and the light sources. At least a portion o f the enclosure (102) is optically transparent, enabling light emitted by the light sources to illuminate an adjacent treatment site. The conductive trace s (104, 106) and the base (126) are substantially flexible, enabling the probe (100) to advance within the body to the treatment site. A non-metallic receiver coil (200) implanted in a patient's body is energized by inductivel y coupling it to an external transmitter coil (220). The current from the receiver coil (200) is conveyed to the implantable probe (100) through non- metallic leads (112, 114).