Respiration monitor

• US 4,838,279 A
• Filed: 05/12/1987
• Issued: 06/13/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ida Faye Thrope, William H. Castor
• Original Assignee: Fore, Don C.
• Inventors: Fore, Don C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wayner, William E.
• Application Number:
  US07/048,896
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 128/721, 128/782, 62/140
• US Class Current: 600/534
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0266 Optical strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion

Abstract

A respiration monitor for monitoring respiration of an individual comprising a sending light conductor and a receiving light conductor. The sending light conductor and the receiving light conductor are held in a position generally near a portion of the individual which moves in response to the respiration motion of the individual. More particularly, the ends of the sending light conductor and the receiving light conductor are spaced a distance apart and positioned so that the distance between the end of the sending light conductor and the end of the receiving light conductor varies in response to respiration motion of the individual. A light source emits light which is received by the sending light conductor and transmitted therethrough across the distance between the ends of the sending light conductor and the receiving light conductor, such light being received by the receiving light conductor and transmitted therethrough. The light from the receiving light conductor is received and indications of respiration motion are determined in response to changes in the intensity of the light received from the receiving light conductor and output indications are provided indicative of respiration motion.

Claims

1. A respiration monitor for monitoring respiration motion of a individual, comprising:

a sending light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the sending light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof;

a receiving light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the receiving light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof;

light conductor support means, the sending end portion of the sending light conductor being affixed to the light conductor support means and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor being disposed on the light conductor support means with the sending light conductor and the receiving light conductor being positioned so that the sending end of the sending light conductor is spaced a distance from and in alignment with the receiving end of the receiving light conductor said support means being constructed to maintain substantial linear alignment at all times whereby the light passing therebetween will at all times define a substantially straight line,

means for positioning the light conductor support means near a portion of the individual which moves in response to respiration motion of the individual and for varying the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor in response to respiration motion;

a light source for emitting light, the light source and being positioned near the receiving end of the sending light conductor and the sending light conductor receiving light from the light source and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the sending light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the sending light conductor, the receiving end of the receiving light conductor receiving light from the sending end of the sending light conductor and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the receiving light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor, the intensity of the light receiving by the receiving end and emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor being indicative of the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving end of the receiving light conductor; and

means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications or respiration motion in response to changes in the intensity of the received light and providing an output indication indicative of respiration motion.

2. The respiration monitor of claim 1 wherein the means providing the output indication indicative of respiration motion is defined further an determining an absence of respiration motion in response to determining substantially no change in the intensity of received light for a predetermined period of time.

3. The respiration monitor of claim 2 wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor is defined further to include:

means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and providing an output electrical analog signal indicative of the intensity of light received from the receiving light conductor; and

means for receiving the electrical analog signal indicative of the intensity of the light received from the receiving light conductor and for providing an output alarm signal in response to substantially no change in the received electrical analog signal for a predetermined period of time.

4. The respiration monitor of claim 3 defined further to include:

alarm means receiving the alarm signal and providing a perceivable output indication in response to receiving the alarm signal.

5. The respiration monitor of claim 1 wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of respiration motion is defined further to include:

means for converting the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor to a digital signal indicative of the intensity of the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor; and

means for receiving the digital signal indicative of changes in the intensity of the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and providing an output alarm signal in response to determining no change in the state of the received digital signal for a predetermined period of time thereby indicating an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time.

6. The respiration monitor of claim 5 wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indication of respiration motion is defined further to include:

means for receiving the alarm signal indicative of an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time and providing an audibly perceivable output indication indicating an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time; and

means for receiving the alarm signal indicative of absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time and providing a visually perceivable output indication indicative of an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time.

7. The respiration monitor of claim 5 defined further to include:

means for receiving the digital signal indicative of changes in the intensity of light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining the respiration rate of the individual being monitored.

8. The respiration monitor of claim 1 wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of respiration motion is defined further to include:

means for providing an operating power;

means for determining the operating power is being provided and for determining the absence of providing the operating power supply, said means providing an output alarm signal in response to determining an absence of providing the operating power.

9. The respiration monitor of claim 8 wherein the means for providing operating power is defined further to include a line operating power supply and a battery operating power supply, and wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of respiration motion is defined further to include:

means for selectively switching to one of the battery operating power supply and to the line operating power supply for providing the operating power.

10. The respiration monitor of claim 1 wherein the sending light conductor and the receiving light conductor each are defined further as being constructed of fiber optics.

11. A respiration monitor for monitoring respiration motion of an individual, comprising:

a sending light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the sending light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof;

a receiving light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the receiving light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof;

means for positioning the sending end of the sending light conductor generally near and spaced a distance from the receiving end of the receiving light conductor, and for positioning the sending end portion of the sending light conductor and the receiving end portion of the receiving light conductor near a portion of the individual which moves in response to respiration motion of the individual, and for holding the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor so the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving end of the receiving light conductor varies in response to respiration motion of the individual;

a light source for emitting light, the light source and being positioned near the receiving end of the sending light conductor and the sending light conductor receiving light from the light source and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the sending light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the sending light conductor, the receiving end of the receiving light conductor receiving light form the sending end of the sending light conductor and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the receiving light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor, the intensity of the light received by the receiving end and emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor being indicative of the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving end of the receiving light conductor; and

means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of respiration motion in response to changes in the intensity of the received light and providing an output indication indicative of respiration motion, comprising;

means for converting the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor to a digital signal indicative of the intensity of the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor; and

means for receiving the digital signal indicative of changes in the intensity of the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and providing an output alarm signal in response to determining no change in the state of the received digital signal for a predetermined period of time thereby indicating an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time;

means for receiving the digital signal indicative of changes int eh intensity of light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining the respiration rate of the individual being monitored; and

means for providing an output alarm signal in response to determining the respiration rate of the individual being monitored at a level above a predetermined respiration rate.

12. The respiration monitor of claim 11 wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of respiration motion is defined further to include:

means for receiving the alarm signal indicative of a determined high respiration rate and providing a visually perceivable output indication indicating a determined high respiration rate of the individual being monitored; and

means for receiving the alarm signal indicative of a determined high respiration rate of the individual being monitored and providing an audibly perceivable output indication indicating a determined high respiration rate of the individual being monitored.

13. The respiration monitor of claim 12 wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of respiration motion is defined further to include:

means for receiving the alarm signal indicating the absence of providing a regulated power supply and for providing a visually perceivable output indication indicating the absence of providing a operating power; and

means for receiving the alarm signal indicating the absence of providing the operation power and providing an audibly perceivable output indication indicating the absence of providing the operating power.

14. A method for monitoring respiration motion of an individual utilizing light conductor support means, a sending light conductor having the receiving end and a sending end and a receiving light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the receiving light conductor and the sending light conductor each being suitable for conducting light between the respective receiving and sending ends thereof, comprising the steps of:

positioning the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor on the light conductor support means with the sending end of the sending light conductor being spaced a distance form and in alignment with the receiving end of the receiving light conductor, said support means being constructed to maintain substantially linear alignment at all times whereby the light passing therebetween will at all times define a substantially straight line;

positioning the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor near a portion of the individual which moves in response to respiration motion whereby the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor varies in response to respiration motion of the individual;

conducting light through the sending light conductor, the light being emitted from the sending end of the sending light conductor and being received by the receiving end of the receiving light conductor and the intensity of the light received by the receiving light conductor being indicative of the distance between the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor; and

receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of respiration motion in response to changes in the intensity of the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor.

15. The method for claim 14 defined further to include the steps of:

converting the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor to digital signals indicative of changes in the intensity of light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor thereby being indicative of respiration motion and providing an output indication indicative of respiration motion.

16. The method of claim 14 defined further to include the steps of:

converting the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor to digital signals indicative of changes in the intensity of light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor thereby being indicative of respiration motion and determining an absence of respiration motion in response to determining an absence of change of state of the digital signal for a predetermined period of time and providing an output alarm signal in response to determining an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time.

17. The method of claim 16 defined further to include the steps:

receiving the alarm signal indicative of an absence of respiration motion and providing a visually perceivable output indication indicating an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time; and

receiving the alarm signal indicative of an absence of respiration motion and providing an audibly perceivable output indication indicating an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time.

18. The method of claim 15 defined further to include the steps:

receiving the digital signal indicative respiration motion and determining the respiration rate of the individual being monitored.

19. The method of claim 18 defined further to include the steps:

providing an output alarm signal in response to determining the respiration rate of an individual above a predetermined high respiration rate; and

receiving the alarm signal indicative of a high respiration rate and providing a visually perceivable output indication indicating a determined high respiration rate; and

receiving the alarm signal indicating a high respiration rate and providing an audibly perceivable output indication indicating a determined high respiration rate.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein the sending and receiving light conductors each are defined further as being fiber optics.

21. A method for determining motion utilizing light conductor support means, a sending light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end and a receiving light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the receiving light conductor and the sending light conductor each being suitable for conducting light between the respective receiving and sending ends thereof, comprising the steps of:

positioning the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor on the light conductor support means with the sending end of the sending light conductor being spaced a distance from and in alignment with the receiving end of the receiving light conductor said support means being constructed to maintain substantial linear alignment at all times whereby the light passing therebetween will at all times define a substantially straight line;

positioning the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor with respect to the motion being monitored whereby the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor varies in response to the motion;

conducting light through the sending light conductor, the light being emitted from the sending end of the sending light conductor and being received by the receiving end of the receiving light conductor and the intensity of the light received by the receiving light conductor being indicative of the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor; and

receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of motion in response to changes in the intensity of light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the sending light conductor and the receiving light conductor each are defined further as being fiber optics.

23. A respiration monitor for monitoring respiration motion of an individual, comprising:

a sending light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the sending light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof;

a receiving light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end the receiving light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof;

means for positioning the sending end of the sending light conductor generally near and spaced a distance from the receiving end of the receiving light conductor, and for positioning the sending end portion of the sending light conductor and the receiving end portion of the receiving light conductor near a portion of the individual which moves in response to respiration motion of the individual, and for holding the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor so the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving end of the receiving light conductor varies in response to respiration motion of the individual, said means comprising;

a detector housing having a light opening extending a distance therethrough, the sending end portion of the sending light conductor being insertable into the light opening and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor being insertable into the light opening with the sending light conductor and the receiving light conductor being positioned in the detector housing so the sending end of the receiving light conductor is spaced a distance from the receiving end of the receiving light conductor; and

a strap assembly having the detector housing connected to a portion thereof, the strap assembly being removably attachable to the individual for removable positioning the detector housing generally near the portion of the individual which moves in response to respiration of the individual;

a light source for emitting light, the light source and being positioned near the receiving end of the sending light conductor and the sending light conductor receiving light from the light source and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the sending light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the sending light conductor, the receiving ed of the receiving light conductor receiving light from the sending end of the sending light conductor and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the receiving light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor, the intensity of the light received by the receiving end and emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor being indicative of the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving end of the receiving light conductor; and

means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of respiration motion in response to changes in the intensity of the received light and providing an output indication indicative of respiration motion.

24. The respiration monitor of claim 23 wherein the means providing the output indication indicative of respiration motion is defined further as determining an absence of respiration motion in response to determining substantially no change in the intensity of received light for a predetermined period of time.

25. The respiration monitor of claim 23 wherein the light source is defined further as being adapted to emit infrared light, and wherein the detector housing is defined further to include a filter slot formed through a portion thereof, a portion of the filter slot intersecting the light opening in the detector housing, and wherein the means for positioning the sending and receiving light conductors generally near a portion of the individual is defined further to include:

an infrared filter disposed in the filter slot in the detector housing, the filter slot being positioned in the detector housing so that infrared filter is positioned generally between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor and the infrared filter being adapted to pass substantially only infrared light.

26. The respiration monitor of claim 25 wherein the receiving end portion of the receiving light conductor is defined further as being connected to the detector housing so that the receiving end portion of the receiving light conductor is not movable with respect to the detector housing, and wherein the sending end portion of the sending light conductor is defined further as being movably disposed in the light opening in the detector housing, the sending end portion of the sending light conductor being movable in the detector housing in response to respiration motion of the individual, thereby increasing and decreasing the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor in response to respiration motion.

27. The respiration monitoring of claim 23 wherein the receiving end portion of the receiving light conductor is defined further as being connected to the detector housing so that the receiving end portion of the receiving light conductor is not movable with respect to the detector housing, and wherein the sending end portion of the sending light conductor is defined further as being movably disposed in the light opening in the detector housing, the sending end portion of the sending light conductor being movable in the detector housing in response to respiration motion of the individual.

28. The respiration monitor of claim 23 wherein the strap assembly is defined further to include:

a strap having opposite ends, the detector housing being connected to the strap, generally near one end thereof, one end portion of the strap being removably attachable to a portion of the strap, generally near the opposite end thereof.

29. The respiration monitor of claim 28 wherein a portion of the receiving light conductor extends through a portion of the strap with a portion of the receiving light conductor exiting from the strap and extending a distance terminating with the sending end thereof, an exposed lead portion of the receiving light conductor, and wherein a portion of the sending light conductor extends through a portion of the strap with a portion of the sending light conductor generally near the sending end exiting form the strap and a portion of the sending light conductor exiting from the strap and extending a distance terminating with the receiving end thereof, an exposed lead portion of the sending light conductor.

30. The respiration monitor of claim 29 defined further to include:

a protective cover for covering a portion of the exposed lead portions of the receiving light conductor and for substantially preventing the exposed lead portions of the receiving light conductor and the sending light conductor from becoming entangled about the individual.

31. The respiration monitor of claim 23 defined further to include:

a protective cover for covering a portion of the sending light conductor extending from the detector housing for substantially preventing the sending light conductor from becoming entangled about the individual; and

a protective cover for covering a portion of the receiving light conductor extending from the detector housing for substantially preventing the receiving light conductor from becoming entangled about the individual.

32. The respiration monitor of claim 24 wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor is defined further to include:

means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and providing an output electrical analog signal indicative of the intensity of light receiving from the receiving light conductor; and

means for receiving the electrical analog signal indicative of the intensity of the light received from the receiving light conductor and for providing an output alarm signal in response to substantially no change in the received electrical analog signal for a predetermined period of time.

33. The respiration monitor of claim 32 defined further to include:

alarm means receiving the alarm signal and providing a perceivable output indication in response to receiving the alarm signal.

34. The respiration monitor of claim 23 wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indication of respiration motion is defined further to include:

means for converting the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor to a digital signal indicative of the intensity of the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor; and

means for receiving the digital signal indicative of changes in the intensity of the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and providing an output alarm signal in response to determining no change in the state of the received digital signal for a predetermined period of time thereby indicating an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time.

35. The respiration monitor of claim 34 wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indication of respiration motion is defined further to include:

means for receiving the alarm signal indicative of an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time and providing an audibly perceivable output indication indicating an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time; and

means for receiving the alarm signal indicative of absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time and providing a visually perceivable output indication indicative of an absence of respiration motion for the predetermined period of time.

36. The respiration monitor of claim 34 defined further to include:

means for receiving the digital signal indicative of changes in the intensity of light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining the respiration rate of the individual being monitored.

37. The respiration monitor of claim 23 wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of respiration motion is defined further to include:

means for providing an operating power;

means for determining the operating power is being provided and for determining the absence of providing the operating power supply, said means providing an output alarm signal in response to determining an absence of providing the operating power.

38. The respiration monitor of claim 37 wherein the means for providing operating power is defined further to include a line operating power supply and a battery operating power supply, and wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of respiration motion is defined further to include:

means for selectively switching to one of the battery operating power supply and to the line operating power supply for providing the operating power.

39. The respiration monitor of claim 23 wherein the receiving light conductor is disposed in the light opening in the detector housing and connected to the detector housing so that the receiving light conductor is not movable in the detector housing, and wherein the sending light conductor is movably disposed in the light opening in the detector housing, and wherein the strap assembly is defined further to include:

a strap having opposite ends, the strap being constructed of a flexible, substantially non-elastic material; and

an extension strip connected to one end of the strap and extending a distance therefrom, the extension strip being constructed of a flexible, elastic material expandable and contractable in response to respiration motion, the detector housing being connected to a portion of the strap and the sending light conductor being connectable to a portion of the extension strip so that respiration motion expands and contracts the extension strip thereby causing the sending light conductor to be moved in the light opening in a direction generally toward the receiving end of the receiving light conductor and in a direction generally a way from the receiving end of the receiving light conductor in response to respiration motion.

40. The respiration monitor of claim 23 wherein the strap assembly is defined further to include:

means for adjustably varying the length of the strap assembly.

41. The respiration monitor of claim 23 wherein the sending light conductor and the receiving light conductor each are defined further as being constructed of fiber optics.

42. A monitor for monitoring respiration motion, comprising:

a sending light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the sending light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof;

a receiving light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the receiving light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof;

means for positioning the sending end of the sending light conductor generally near and spaced a distance from the receiving end of the receiving light conductor, and for positioning the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor so the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving end of the receiving light conductor varies in response to motion to be monitored, said means comprising;

a detector housing having a light opening extending a distance therethrough, the sending end portion of the sending light conductor being insertable into the light opening and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor being insertable into the light opening with the sending light conductor and the receiving light conductor being positioned in the detector housing so the sending end of the receiving light conductor is spaced a distance from the receiving end of the receiving light conductor; and

a light source for emitting light, the light source and being positioned near the receiving end of the sending light conductor and the sending light conductor receiving light from the light source and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the sending light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the sending light conductor, the receiving end of the receiving light conductor receiving light from the sending end of the sending light conductor and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the receiving light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor, the intensity of the light received by the receiving end and emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor being indicative of the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving end of the receiving light conductor; and

means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indication of motion in response to changes in the intensity of the received light and providing an output indication indicative of motion.

43. The monitor of claim 42 wherein the light source is defined further as being adapted to emit infrared light, and wherein the detector housing is defined further to include a filter slot formed through a portion thereof, a portion of the filter slot intersecting the light opening in the detector housing, and wherein the means for positioning the sending and receiving light conductors is defined further to include:

an infrared filter disposed in the filter slot in the detector housing, the filter slot being positioned in the detector housing so the infrared filter is positioned generally between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor and the infrared filter being adapted to pass substantially only infrared light.

44. The monitor of claim 43 wherein the receiving end portion of the receiving light conductor is defined further as being connected to the detector housing so that the receiving end portion of the receiving light conductor is not movable with respect to the detector housing, and wherein the sending end portion of the sending light conductor is defined further as being movable disposed in the light opening in the detector housing, the sending end portion of the sending light conductor being movable in the detector housing in response to motion, thereby increasing and decreasing the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor in response to motion.

45. The monitor of claim 42 wherein the receiving end portion of the receiving light conductor is defined further as being connected to the detector housing so that the receiving end portion of the receiving light conductor is not movable with respect to the detector housing, and wherein the sending end portion of the sending light conductor is defined further as being movable disposed in the light opening in the detector housing, the sending end portion of the sending light conductor being movable in the detector housing in response to motion.

46. The monitor of claim 42 wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of motion is defined further to include:

means for providing an operating power;

means for determining the operating power is being provided and for determining the absence of providing the operating power supply, said means providing an output alarm signal in response to determining an absence of providing the operating power.

47. The monitor of claim 46 wherein the means for providing operating power is defined further to include a line operating power supply and a battery operating power supply, and wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of motion is defined further to include:

means for selectively switching to one of the battery operating power supply and to the line operating power supply for providing the operating power.

48. The monitor of claim 42 wherein the sending light conductor and the receiving light conductor each are defined further as being constructed of fiber optics.

49. A monitor for monitoring motion comprising:

a sending light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the sending light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending ends thereof;

a receiving light conductor having a receiving end and a sending end, the receiving light conductor being suitable for conducting light between the receiving and sending end thereof;

light conductor support means, the sending end portion of the sending light conductor being affixed to the light conductor support means and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor being disposed on the light conductor support means, with the sending light conductor and the receiving light conductor being positioned so that the sending end of the sending light conductor is spaced a distance from and in alignment with the receiving end of the receiving light conductor said support means being constructed to maintain substantial linear alignment at all time, whereby the light passing therebetween will at all times define a substantially straight line;

means for positioning the light conductor support means near the motion to be monitored whereby the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor is varied in response to the motion to be monitored;

a light source for emitting light, the light source and being positioned near the receiving end of the sending light conductor and the sending light conductor receiving light from the light source and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the sending light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the sending light conductor, the receiving end of the receiving light conductor receiving light from the sending end of the sending light conductor and conducting such received light therethrough toward the sending end of the receiving light conductor and the light being emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor, the intensity of the light received by the receiving end and emitted from the sending end of the receiving light conductor being indicative of the distance between the sending end of the sending light conductor and the receiving end of the receiving end of the receiving light conductor; and

means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of motion in response to changes in the intensity of the received light and providing an output indication indicative of motion.

50. The monitor of claim 49 wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of motion is defined further to include:

means for providing an operating power;

means for determining the operating power is being provided and for determining the absence of providing the operating power supply, said means providing an output alarm signal in response to determining an absence of providing the operating power.

51. The monitor of claim 50 wherein the means for providing operating power is defined further to include a line operating power supply and a battery operating power supply, and wherein the means for receiving light from the sending end of the receiving light conductor and determining indications of motion is defined further to include:

means for selectively switching to one of the battery operating power supply and to the line operating power supply for providing the operating power.

52. The monitor of claim 49 wherein the sending light conductor and the receiving light conductor each are defined further as being constructed of fiber optics.