Patent ID: 7328060
Filing Date: 2008-02-05
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
1. A method for imaging and treating a sample, the method comprising the steps of: a) illuminating the sample with electromagnetic radiation from an illumination source; b) obtaining a plurality of images from the sample, said plurality of images obtained from illuminating the sample with electromagnetic radiation from the illumination source; c) producing a plurality of signals, each signal from said plurality of signals corresponding to one of said plurality of images; d) calculating, from at least one signal from said plurality of signals, a location and spatial shape for treatment on the sample; e) spatially shaping in substantially real time, using the calculated spatial shape, a treatment electromagnetic radiation beam in order to configure the electromagnetic radiation beam to substantially cover the treatment location; f) varying an intensity profile of the treatment electromagnetic radiation beam; and, g) illuminating the treatment location with the spatially shaped treatment electromagnetic radiation beam, subsequent to illuminating the sample with electromagnetic radiation from the illumination source, in order to treat the sample; said substantially real time spatially shaping the treatment electromagnetic radiation beam precluding scanning the treatment electromagnetic radiation beam.