Laser irradiation mapping system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for mapping a target area of tissue for irradiation by a laser beam without irradiating tissue surrounding the target area, comprising:
- a laser source for providing a primary laser beam;
a projector having an optical system for projecting a portion of the primary laser beam onto the target area, the portion of the laser beam being tailored to conform to the shape of the target area, the projector including a light source for illuminating the target area and surrounding area to create an illuminated image;
a digital micromirror device positioned between the laser source and the projector to selectively emit a secondary laser beam directed at the projector, the digital micromirror device including an array of micromirrors, each micromirror being controllably rotatable between ON and OFF positions, the ON-position micromirrors reflecting increments of the primary laser beam that collectively define the secondary laser beam; and
a computer system for converting the illuminated image of the target area and surrounding area into a digitally stored image, displaying the stored image, responding to operator commands to map the target area within the displayed stored image, directing the digital micromirror device to assume a state that corresponds to the mapped target area, and sending a signal to the laser source to enable the laser source to direct the primary laser beam at the digital micromirror device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A digital micromirror device is used in a semi-automated system to reflect a tailored portion of a laser beam according to image data that defines a mapped target area of an object for selective irradiation by the tailored laser beam. A computer having an interface device, such as a light pen, is used to map the boundary on a computer screen of a target area of an object, which may be the retina of a patient'"'"'s eye or some other object. A projector cooperates with a laser source, the digital micromirror device and the computer to enable a laser beam to be tailored to correspond to the irregular shape of the intended target area to avoid irradiating portions of the object other than the target area itself. The system is capable of tracking movement of the target area and maintaining the tailored laser beam aligned to irradiate the target area during movement. The individual micromirrors of the digital micromirror device can be time-division modulated to vary the dose of irradiation across the target area according to a gray-scale map of the image of the target area.
149 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for mapping a target area of tissue for irradiation by a laser beam without irradiating tissue surrounding the target area, comprising:
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a laser source for providing a primary laser beam;
a projector having an optical system for projecting a portion of the primary laser beam onto the target area, the portion of the laser beam being tailored to conform to the shape of the target area, the projector including a light source for illuminating the target area and surrounding area to create an illuminated image;
a digital micromirror device positioned between the laser source and the projector to selectively emit a secondary laser beam directed at the projector, the digital micromirror device including an array of micromirrors, each micromirror being controllably rotatable between ON and OFF positions, the ON-position micromirrors reflecting increments of the primary laser beam that collectively define the secondary laser beam; and
a computer system for converting the illuminated image of the target area and surrounding area into a digitally stored image, displaying the stored image, responding to operator commands to map the target area within the displayed stored image, directing the digital micromirror device to assume a state that corresponds to the mapped target area, and sending a signal to the laser source to enable the laser source to direct the primary laser beam at the digital micromirror device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An apparatus for mapping a target area of an object for irradiation by a laser beam, comprising:
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a laser source for providing a laser beam;
a projector for projecting at least a portion of the laser beam onto the target area of the object, the projector including;
a frame;
an imaging end supported by the frame at one end of the projector;
a viewing end supported by the frame opposite from the imaging end;
projector controls mounted on the frame for positioning the imaging end of the projector relative to the object, and for controlling the projection of the laser beam at the object; and
an optical system supported by the frame for transmitting an image of the object to the viewing end and directing the laser beam at the target area of the object;
the apparatus further comprising;
a digital camera optically coupled to the projector for creating digital data representative of an image of the object conveyed from the imaging end through the projector to the digital camera;
a computer, the computer including;
an input bus coupled to the digital camera;
an output bus;
a screen for displaying images;
a processor for receiving data from the input bus, formatting the data for display by the screen, and transmitting data onto the output bus;
a keyboard; and
an interface device in communication with the processor and cooperating with the screen for defining a map of the target area of the object within an image of the object as displayed on the screen;
the apparatus further comprising;
a DMD module optically positioned between the laser source and the projector to selectively transmit a portion of the laser beam from the laser source to the projector; and
a DMD controller in communication with the DMD module through a control bus, the DMD controller being connected to the computer'"'"'s output bus for receiving data from the processor representing the map of the target area of the object created by an operator using the interface device;
whereby the operator uses the interface device to define the target area of the object within the image on the computer'"'"'s screen, and uses the projector controls to direct the portion of the laser beam selected by the DMD module at the target area of the object. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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13. A method of selective irradiation of an object comprising:
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creating a digital image of the object;
mapping a target area on the image;
transmitting data corresponding to the mapped target area to a digital micromirror device to cause the digital micromirror device to assume a state for selectively reflecting light along first path and a second path;
directing laser light at the digital micromirror device when it is in its selectively reflecting state;
absorbing the laser light reflected along the second path; and
redirecting the laser light reflected along the first path to impinge upon the target area of the object.
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Specification