Methods for surfactant enhanced laser-induced vapor bubbles for use in laser lithotripsy

A method of irradiating a target with laser radiation;

• by an optical fiber having a delivery end, the method comprising:
• spacing the delivery end of the optical fiber from a target end of the optical fiber by a space;
• occupying the space between the delivery end of the optical fiber and the target end of the optical fiber with a liquid medium;
• administering a surfactant composition to the liquid medium;
• generating a first laser pulse, wherein the first laser pulse has a wavelength and sufficient energy to form a vapor bubble in the liquid medium at the delivery end of the optical fiber;
• delivering the first laser pulse from the delivery end of the optical fiber to the liquid medium, wherein the liquid medium absorbs the wavelength, and the energy forms the vapor bubble, wherein the vapor bubble includes a surfactant of the surfactant composition;
• and
• allowing the vapor bubble to expand an amount sufficient to displace a portion of the liquid medium from the space between the delivery end of the optical fiber and the target.