Abstract: A method of treating an epidermal region including diseased tissue and non-diseased tissue includes coating the non-diseased tissue with a substance that substantially attenuates ultraviolet light when coated onto the non-diseased tissue and illuminating the diseased tissue with ultraviolet light.

Abstract: An excimer laser includes a chamber for containing laser gas, electrodes in the chamber disposed to excite the laser gas, thereby producing optical emissions, first and second mirrors arranged to form a resonator cavity, and a detector disposed to receive a portion of light transmitted through the first mirror. The first mirror is more reflective than the second mirror.

Abstract: A method of recharging an excimer laser Includes opening an outlet in a chamber containing spent laser gas at a first pressure, opening an inlet in the chamber, the inlet in communication with a laser gas container at a second pressure higher than the first pressure, and flowing fresh laser gas into the chamber and removing at least a portion of the spent laser gases from the chamber without using a vacuum pump.

Abstract: An optical apparatus for treating tissue including an ultraviolet excimer laser configured to output ultraviolet light, an optical line configured to receive said ultraviolet light into a first end and to output said ultraviolet light from a second end, a wavelength converting device configured to receive said ultraviolet light output from said optical line and to produce longer wavelength emissions, and a delivery device configured to direct said longer wavelength emission to said tissue.

Abstract: An excimer laser comprises a gas chamber, electrodes for creating rare gas/halide molecules that disassociate and produce optical emission, and reflective surfaces that form an optical resonant cavity. The excimer laser further comprises flow control surfaces that define gas flow paths and that control the flow of gas within the chamber. Preferably such flow control surfaces direct the gases away from the laser optics. More preferably, the flow control surfaces shield the path of the laser beam, at least in the proximity of the laser optics, from contaminants in the gases. Less contaminants yields less contamination of the laser optics. As a result, the laser device becomes more reliable and useful over longer periods of time. In addition, the laser gases are preferably exposed only to compatible materials that react with the laser gases to produce stable reaction products having a low vapor pressure, so as to reduce contamination of the gases and the optics.