Laser scanning method and apparatus

A laser delivery system for delivering laser energy to a target site, the system comprising:

• means for generating laser energy;
• and
• means for scanning the laser energy, at the target site, said scanning means comprising:
• a conduit for conducting laser energy, said conduit having an elongated shape with a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis;
• and
• means for moving said conduit in a predetermined pattern to uniformly scan the target site with laser energy, said conduit mounted on said moving means such that said proximal end of said conduit is in light energy communication with said means for generating laser energy, and said distal end of said conduit is mounted on said moving means to be off-center in relation to a rotational axis of said moving means, whereby said moving means rotates said conduit about its longitudinal axis so that said distal end is moved in a circular pattern.

A laser delivery system for delivering laser energy to a target site, the system comprising:

• means for generating laser energy;
• means for scanning the laser energy at the target, said scanning means comprising:
• means for conducting the laser energy from said laser energy generating means;
• a conduit for conducting laser energy from said conducting means to the target site, said conduit having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis;
• and
• means for moving said conduit in a predetermined pattern to uniformly scan the target site with laser energy, said moving means comprising a motor having a hollow shaft mounted therein to rotate about its longitudinal axis, and further wherein said conduit is mounted on said hollow shaft such that said proximal end of said conduit is in light energy communication with said conducting means and said distal end of said conduit is misaligned with the longitudinal axis of said hollow shaft such that as said motor rotates said hollow shaft, said distal end of said conduit moves in a predetermined pattern.

A laser delivery system for delivering laser energy to a target site, the system comprising:

• means for generating laser energy, said laser energy generating means configured to generate pulses of laser energy of a predetermined power and duration;
• means for scanning the laser energy at the target site, said scanning means comprising;
• means for conducting the laser energy from said laser energy generating means;
• a conduit for conducting laser energy, said conduit having a proximal end and a distal end, and a longitudinal axis;
• means for moving said conduit in a predetermined pattern to uniformly scan the target site with laser energy, said moving means configured to move said conduit at a predetermined speed such that the laser energy is delivered uniformly to the target site, said conduit is mounted on said moving means with the proximal end in light energy communication with said conducting means and rotates about its longitudinal axis, and said distal end is mounted to be off-center in relation to a rotational axis of said moving means whereby said moving means rotates said distal end in a circular pattern.

A laser delivery system for delivering laser energy to a target site, the system comprising:

• means for generating laser energy, said generating means being configured to generate pulses of laser energy of a predetermined power and duration;
• and
• means for scanning the laser energy at the target site, said scanning means comprising:
• means for conducting the laser energy from said laser energy generating means;
• a conduit for conducting laser energy from said conducting means to the target site, said conduit having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis;
• and
• means for moving said conduit in a predetermined pattern to uniformly scan the target site with laser energy, said moving means configured to move said conduit at a predetermined speed such that the laser energy is delivered uniformly to the target site, said moving means further comprising a motor having a hollow shaft mounted therein to rotate about its longitudinal axis, and further wherein said conduit is mounted on said hollow shaft such that said proximal end of said conduit is in light energy communication with said conducting means and said distal end of said conduit is misaligned with a longitudinal axis of said hollow shaft such that as said moving means rotates said hollow shaft, said distal end of said conduit moves in a circular pattern.