Following to previous OWLS conferences devoted to widespread applications of optics in life sciences, this 5th OWLS Conference focuses on recent achievements in applying lasers and optics in biomedicine and the preservation of our cultural heritage. Particular attention is paid to laser diagnostics in medicine, interaction of laser radiation with biological tissue, aspects of the preservation of cultural heritage, and the development of new systems for these studies. The contributors to this volume cover international research activities in the following areas: Laser-tissue interactions and tissue optics - photon migration in tissue; Medical sensors - fiber optics; Clinical use of lasers (dermatology, ENT, cardiology, etc.); Laser-based techniques in art conservation (cleaning, diagnostics, analytical applications); Imaging techniques and lasers in archaeology; Laser technologies in contemporary art (holography, marking, etc.); and New laser and opto-electronic systems for biomedical and art-related studies.

A comprehensive guide to the clinical use of lasers in cardiovascular disease. Describes techniques of laser angioplasty, covering topics that range from early results using bare fiber optics to percutaneous coronary laser thermal angioplasty. Extensively illustrated with photographs, x-rays, angiograms, drawings and diagrams.

Since the early days of medicine one concern of doctors has been the removal of kidney stones and prevention of recurrence. Owing to the hesitancy of progress in the prevention of initial stone formation and of relapse, however, removal of stones from the kidney and ureter were developed to highly refined techniques and they formerly accounted for a major proportion of the urological operations performed. In the last few years developments in the treatment of kidney stones have taken a completely different turn. In the majority of cases suit able methods are available to bring about spontaneous passage of the stones, while in a smaller proportion drug-induced litholysis is pos sible. Stones that cannot be passed are now treated mainly with extra corporeal shockwave lithotripsy, percutaneous litholapaxy or uretero renoscopy. These methods are often used in combination and comple ment each other. Nonetheless, despite the accumulating experience with the new methods there will still be situations in which stones can not be removed except by open surgery. "Our skill as surgeons and the management of the brilliantly designed equipment would amount to nothing more than highly skilled mechanical work if they did not go hand in hand with enhanced insight into the cause of lithiasis and thus into ways of preventing it - or at least of preventing the relapse that is the lot of most patients.