Method and apparatus for selectively targeting specific cells within a cell population

Abstract

This invention provides a method and apparatus for selectively identifying, and targeting with an energy beam, specific cells within a cell population, for the purpose of inducing a response in the targeted cells. Using the present invention, every detectable cell in a population can be identified and affected, without substantially affecting non-targeted cells within the mixture.

1 . An apparatus for imaging cells in a biological specimen held in a container, comprising:
 a scanning lens that defines a field of view, wherein said scanning lens is of F-theta design;   a computer system that divides said field of view into a plurality of frames of cells within a biological specimen, wherein the number of said plurality of frames of cells within said field of view is between 4 and 24;   an illumination source for illuminating a frame of cells within said field of view;   an image capture system that captures an image of said frame of cells; and   commands for determining a morphological or physiological characteristic of cells in said biological specimen by reference to said image.