Laser-induced ablation of atherosclerotic plaque

A method of enhancing absorption of light by atherosclerotic plaque in a human patient to improve elimination of said atherosclerotic plaque by light, comprising, the steps of:

• administering a carotenoid to said human patient whereby at least a portion of said carotenoid accumulates in said atherosclerotic plaque thereby altering said atherosclerotic plaque's composition.

A method of ablating atherosclerotic plaque in a human patient, comprising, in combination, the steps of:

• increasing an absorption coefficient of said atherosclerotic plaque for pulsed laser light having a wavelength within a predetermined range by introducing a carotenoid into the human patient's bloodstream wherein said carotenoid preferentially accumulates in said atherosclerotic plaque;
• generating multiple pulses of laser light having a wavelength defined as being within said predetermined range, having a pulse duration defined as being less than a thermal relaxation time of the atherosclerotic plaque exposed to said multiple pulses of laser light, and having a pulse fluence defined as being within a range from 1 to 9 joules per square centimeter, such that said multiple pulses of laser light effects ablation of said atherosclerotic plaque as altered by the carotenoid accumulated in said atherosclerotic plaque;
• exposing said atherosclerotic plaque to said multiple pulses of laser light.