A scanning optical system is provided including a source of optical radiation； an optical scanning beam delivery system for delivering optical radiation to a subject, wherein the optical scanning beam delivery system includes a plurality of optical elements including at least one steerable mirror； at least one actuator coupled to the at least one steerable mirror； a detection system for detecting optical radiation returned from a subject； a communications device including a user interface and configured to process a set of instructions at least partially responsive to inputs from the user interface； a controller comprising memory, a microcontroller and an field programmable gate array (FPGA), the microcontroller and FPGA receiving instructions derived from the communications device； and at least one actuator coupled to the at least one steerable mirror. The at least one actuator receives a first instruction set from the microcontroller in the form of sequential commands and a second instruction set from the FPGA in the form of concurrent commands. The first instruction set establishes a pattern of motion of the at least one steerable mirror at least partially responsive to inputs from the user interface of the communications device. The second instruction set modifies an attribute of the pattern of motion of the at least one steerable mirror in substantially real-time at least partially responsive to one or more triggering events.
