Abstract: The present invention is a method of cleaning artwork by removing contaminates from a painted or patina surface of the artwork. A pulsed laser is used having a wavelength of between 2.3 and 3.3 .mu.m, such as an Er:YAG having a wavelength of 2.94 .mu.m, to stimulate the presence of an OH radical contained in the contaminant film layer to be removed or introduced to the paint surface contaminated film using an OH containing agent applied with a brush, cotton swab or spray. The surface to be removed is covered by a glass cover slip and has the laser energy impinged thereon. The laser energy interacts with the OH radical present in the contaminant or introduced into the surface by the operator. The reaction of the laser energy with the OH radical deposits the contaminated film material onto the glass slide cover. Contaminants that remain on the paint surface can then be removed by scalpel or cotton swab using a wetting agent.

Abstract: A method of ablating or cutting a selected area of a material with a laser, wherein a substance such as water that absorbs the laser radiation is applied to the area in an amount to allow the substance to be absorbed into pores, cracks and other holes in the substance but without pooling on the surface of the material. Application of the substance is done immediately before or during each laser pulse.

Abstract: A laser catheter for removing atherosclerotic plaque. The distal end of the laser catheter, in addition to including a distal port for dye injection and preferably a steerable or at least movable guide wire, includes a smoothly tapered forward face with a sapphire, ruby, diamond or the like window for directing a mid-infrared laser beam centripedally toward a targeted plaque structure. A mid-infrared laser beam, preferably a erbium YAG or HF laser, is conducted through the catheter to abate plaque. A second catheter, substantially identical to the first catheter can slidably disposed about the first catheter so as to provide a tiered laser catheter. Thus, the smaller catheter can target plaque in the most constricted regions of the vessel and can then be advanced into the smaller diameter region wile bringing the second, larger catheter into engagement with a larger diameter packed portion thereby enable the irradiation, and ablation of the same.

Abstract: A laser catheter for removing athereosclerotic plaque. The distal end of the laser catheter, in addition to including a distal port for dye injection and preferably a steerable or at least movable guide wire, includes a smoothly tapered forward face with a sapphire, ruby, diamond or the like window for directing a mid-infrared laser beam centripedally toward a targeted plaque structure. A mid-infrared laser beam, preferably a erbium YAG or HF laser, is conducted through the catheter to abate plaque. A second catheter, substantially identical to the first catheter can slidably disposed about the first catheter so as to provide a tiered laser catheter. Thus, the smaller catheter can target plaque in the most constricted regions of the vessel and can then be advanced into the smaller diameter region while bringing the second, larger catheter into engagement with a larger diameter packed portion thereby enable the irradiation, and ablation of the same.