Patent ID: 8332014
Filing Date: 2012-12-11
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for ascertaining, and responding to, a tissue characteristic of a surface region of patient tissue comprising the steps of: a) obtaining a scanned beam device including a scanning beam unit, a collector, and a controller wherein, the scanning beam unit is adapted to transmit a beam of sensing radiation to impinge on the surface region, the collector adapted to collect radiation returned from the surface region which has been impinged with the transmitted beam of sensing radiation, and the controller operatively connected to the scanning beam unit and to the collector, wherein the controller measures the reflectance of the surface region from the collected radiation; b) using the scanned beam device, the scanning beam unit to transmits a beam of sensing radiation in a scan pattern to impinge on the surface region; c) using the scanned beam device, the collector collects the radiation returned from the surface region, and the controller measures the reflectance of the surface region from the collected radiation returned from the surface region; d) using the scanned beam device, the controller determines the tissue characteristic of the surface region from the measured reflectance, wherein the tissue characteristic is different from but related to the measured reflectance; e) providing an indication of the determined tissue characteristic using the controller, wherein the indication is other than a displayed image of the surface region; and f) as a function of the controller automatically modifying the treatment of the determined tissue characteristic.