Abstract: A method for the ablation of human or animal articular cartilage is disclosed that employs an exogenous absorber, such as a compound having the molecular formula C43H47N2NaO6S2, to coat or color the surface of the articular cartilage. The coated or colored cartilage surface then has an energy absorption peak at a specific wavelength due to the exogenous absorber, which makes it possible to employ a simple and cheap laser diode to generate a pulsed laser beam at the specific wavelength so as to superheat the coated or colored cartilage thereby causing at least partial ablation of cartilage.

Abstract: A method for the ablation of human or animal articular cartilage is disclosed that employs an exogenous absorber, such as a compound having the molecular formula C43H47N2NaO6S2, to coat or color the surface of the articular cartilage. The coated or colored cartilage surface then has an energy absorption peak at a specific wavelength due to the exogenous absorber, which makes it possible to employ a simple and cheap laser diode to generate a pulsed laser beam at the specific wavelength so as to superheat the coated or colored cartilage thereby causing at least partial ablation of cartilage.