Importance

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Abstract

The present invention provides a method and system to actively stabilize a probe, such as a microelectrode, relative to movement of the subject, utilizing laser interferometry. In the preferred embodiments, a probe is mounted on a manipulator such that the probe moveable in response to a control voltage. A laser interferometer is utilized to transmit a first light beam to the subject and to receive a reflected light beam, to modulate a second light beam with a radio frequency signal to form a reference light beam, and to combine the reflected light beam and the reference beam to form an interference pattern. A demodulator is utilized to quadrature demodulate a phase shift of a radio frequency component of the interference pattern to determine a displacement signal representative of an amount and direction of subject movement, and to convert the displacement signal to the control voltage. The probe is then moved in response to the control voltage, providing stabilization relative to subject movement, and the probe may then be utilized for desired measurements within the subject.

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First Claim