Three-dimensional image guided scanning irradiation device for targeted ablation, stimulation, manipulation, molecular delivery and physiological monitoring

A device comprising:

• a. a laser irradiation sub-assembly configured to generate a laser beam for irradiation of a sample comprising at least one of living tissue, neurons, retina cells, brain cells, heart cells, muscle cells, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, blood and skin cells;
• b. a visible light source combinable with the laser beam by a beam combiner and configured to at least one of:
• locate the laser beam;
• stimulate the sample;
• and
• fixate the sample;
• c. an imaging light source sub-assembly which emits a light beam with a selected wavelength in a range from 400 nm to 1600 nm, wherein the selected wavelength is not perturbative to the functioning or structure of the sample;
• d. wherein the light beam emitted from the imaging light source sub-assembly is combinable with the laser beam and able to be split by a beam splitter to generate a split combined beam having a first part and second part;
• e. wherein the first part of the split combined beam is guided via an optical system comprising at least one mirror, at least one focusing element and at least one lens to irradiate the sample;
• f. wherein the at least one mirror and at least one focusing element is actuatable to control the position and size of an irradiation spot on the sample;
• g. wherein back-scattered light from the sample is able to pass through the optical system and the beam splitter to a detector;
• h. wherein the second part of the split combined beam is able to traverse through an optical sub-assembly comprising a reference arm;
• i. wherein optionally, back-reflected light from the reference arm is able to pass through the beam splitter to the detector to interfere with the back-scattered light from the sample;
• j. wherein a signal from the detector is processed to obtain at least one of:
• a depth-resolved image of the sample;
• measurements of physical properties of the sample;
• and
• measurements of physiological properties of the sample;
• k. wherein a laser beam irradiation dose and pattern in a targeted region is controllable for performing at least one of ablation, stimulation, molecular delivery and alteration of the sample;
• and
• l. wherein a dose and pattern of the light beam from the visible light source is controllable and able to be synchronized with the imaging light source for mapping functional properties of the sample.