Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for template-controlled, precision laser interventions is described that greatly improves the accuracy, speed, range, reliability, versatility, safety, and efficacy of interventions such as laser microsurgery, particularly ophthalmic surgery, and industrial micromachining. The instrument and system are applicable to those specialties wherein the positioning accuracy of laser lesions is critical, wherever accurate containment of the spatial extent of a laser lesion is desirable, and/or whenever precise operations on a target or series of targets subject to movement during the procedure are to be effected. A key object of the present invention is to implement a fully integrated approach based on a number of different instrumental functions all operating in concert within a single, fully automated unit. Each of the complementary, and at times competing, functions requires its own technologies and corresponding subassemblies.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for template-controlled, precision laser interventions is described that greatly improves the accuracy, speed, range, reliability, versatility, safety, and efficacy of interventions such as laser microsurgery, particularly ophthalmic surgery, and industrial micromachining. The instrument and system are applicable to those specialties wherein the positioning accuracy of laser lesions is critical, wherever accurate containment of the spatial extent of a laser lesion is desirable, and/or whenever precise operations on a target or series of targets subject to movement during the procedure are to be effected. A key object of the present invention is to implement a fully integrated approach based on a number of different instrumental functions all operating in concert within a single, fully automated unit. Each of the complementary, and at times competing, functions requires its own technologies and corresponding subassemblies.