Measurement of neural functionality using phase sensitive optical coherence reflectometry

A device for detecting neural activity beam comprising:

• a. a beam combiner configured to combine light;
• b. a broadband source optically linked to the beam combiner;
• c. an aiming beam source optically linked to the beam combiner;
• d. a separator optically linked to the beam combiner and configured to separate light into a reference beam and a sample beam;
• reference optics operably linked separator;
• sample optics operably linked to the separator;
• e. a recombiner optically linked to the reference optics and sample optics configured to combine light;
• f. an optical spectrometer optically connected to the recombines and configured to detect a plurality of spectral interference densities from the recombiner;
• and
• g. a processor configured to process detected spectral interference densities to produce sample surface displacement information.

A method of diagnosing a neuropathy comprising:

• a. assessing the transient surface displacement of a test neuron using a phase-sensitive optical reflectometer to obtain at least one surface displacement assessment;
• b. comparing the at least one test neuron surface displacement assessment with control surface displacement assessments to produce a test neuron activity differential;
• and
• c. processing the test neuron activity differential to detect inappropriate neural activity in the test neuron, wherein the inappropriate neural activity is indicative of a neuropathy.