A method for three-dimensional
microdissection for the separation of defined structures in the sub-
millimeter range by means of cold
laser ablation or by means of multi-
photon absorption, whereby
exposure of the structures to be separated is performed using directional information in all spatial directions. In addition, a 3D
microdissection system for the separation of defined, three-dimensional structures from a sample, having: a
control unit (5); an
ablation chamber (1) with a sample holder provided therein, on which the sample to be processed is to be mounted and which is movable along a linear axis V and rotatable about a rotary axis R, whereby the sample holder is provided with positioning devices that are connected to the
control unit which can cause the positioning devices to move the sample holder along another linear axis H and to rotate it about rotary axis R, and a
laser device (6), which is introduced into the
ablation chamber at least partially through a
laser window (3) that is provided in the ablation chamber. The ablation chamber is connected to the
control unit and has an adjustable optic, which can be adjusted by means of the control unit such that the laser beam is focussed in the region of the sample.