REDUCTION OF AN ARTERIOSCLEROTIC LESION BY SELECTIVE ABSORPTION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY IN A COMPONENT THEREOF

摘要

A novel use of an apparatus comprising a laser (1) capable of generating electromagnetic energy and one or more optical fibers (2) connected to the laser at one end and adapted to emit electromagnetic energy at the other end is disclosed. This novel use is in a method for reducing an arteriosclerotic lesion in which electromagnetic energy directed at the lesion is selectively absorbed by a lesion component, e.g. cholesterol. The resulting decomposition of said lesion component leads to reduction of the lesion which minimal risk of damage to blood constituents and adjacent healthy blood vessel tissue. Preferably, monochromatic electromagnetic energy is generated by the laser (1) and is conducted to the vicinity of the lesion by the at least one optical fiber.