Automated Laser-Treatment System With Real Time Integrated 3D Vision System for Laser Debridement and the Like

Abstract

A method for automated treatment of an area of skin of a patient with laser energy. The method including: identifying the area to be treated with the laser; modeling the identified area of the skin to be treated; and controlling the laser to direct laser energy to within the modeled area of the skin.

1 . A method for automated treatment of an area of skin of a patient with laser energy, the method comprising:
 identifying the area to be treated with the laser;   modeling the identified area of the skin to be treated; and   controlling the laser to direct laser energy to within the modeled area of the skin.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising projecting one or more reference markers on the skin. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising evacuating smoke resulting from the interaction of the laser energy with the skin of the area. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identifying comprises outlining the area to be treated such that the modeling models the area within the outline. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identifying comprises recognizing the area to be treated based on a unique characteristic of the area which differs from normal skin tissue. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising repeating the identifying and modeling steps to account for any movement of the patient. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identifying identifies burned skin. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identifying identifies a tattoo. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identifying identifies facial features. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identifying identifies scar tissue. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identifying identifies hairs on a surface of the skin. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identifying identifies one or more of acne scars, skin folds, skin creases, pre-cancerous and benign growths on the skin.