Interferometric biological sensing apparatus including adjustable reference arm and associated methods

摘要

A biological sensing apparatus includes an excitation source configured to induce waves in a biological target, and an optical waveguide interferometer configured to sense the induced waves in the biological target. The optical waveguide interferometer includes a plurality of optical couplers and interconnecting optical fibers arranged to define a reference arm, a measurement arm, and a probe segment coupled to the reference arm and the measurement arm and having a probe segment end to be positioned adjacent the biological target. An optical path length adjustor is coupled to the reference arm. A controller cooperates with the optical path length adjustor and a first optical detector. The controller is configured to adjust an optical path length of the reference arm to maintain a constant relationship with respect to an optical path length of the measurement arm, and to generate biological target data based upon the first optical detector.