Respiration monitor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A respiration monitor for monitoring respiration motion of an individual, comprising:
- a light source for emitting light;
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 receiving end of the receiving light conductor generally near and spaced a distance from the light source and for positioning the receiving end of the receiving light conductor and the light source near a portion of the individual which moves in response to respiration motion of the individual, and for holding the receiving end of the receiving light conductor and the light source so the distance between the receiving end of the receiving light conductor and the light source varies in response to respiration motion of the individual, 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 receiving end of the receiving light conductor and the light source; 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.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A monitor for monitoring motion wherein a light source is positioned a distance from a light conductor and the distance between the light source and the light conductor is varied in response to motion. The light received by the light conductor is used to provide output indications indicative of the monitored motion.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A respiration monitor for monitoring respiration motion of an individual, comprising:
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a light source for emitting light; 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 receiving end of the receiving light conductor generally near and spaced a distance from the light source and for positioning the receiving end of the receiving light conductor and the light source near a portion of the individual which moves in response to respiration motion of the individual, and for holding the receiving end of the receiving light conductor and the light source so the distance between the receiving end of the receiving light conductor and the light source varies in response to respiration motion of the individual, 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 receiving end of the receiving light conductor and the light source; 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for monitoring respiration motion of an individual utilizing a light source for emitting light and 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, comprising the steps of:
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positioning the receiving end of the receiving light conductor generally near and spaced a distance from the light source; positioning the light source and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor near a portion of the individual which moves in response to respiration motion; emitting light from the light source, varying the distance between the light source and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor in response to respiration motion so the distance between the light source and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor varies in response to respiration motion of the individual, the intensity of light received by the receiving end of the receiving light conductor varying in response to the varying distance between the light source and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor; conducting light emitted from the light source through receiving end of the receiving light conductor, the intensity of the light received by the receiving light conductor being indicative of the distance between the light source 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.
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12. A method for monitoring motion utilizing a light source for emitting light and 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, comprising the steps of:
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positioning the receiving end of the receiving light conductor generally near and spaced a distance from the light source; positioning the light source and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor near a portion which moves in response to motion; emitting light from the light source,
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13. varying the distance between the light source and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor in response to motion so the distance between the light source and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor varies in response to motion of the individual, the intensity of light received by the receiving end of the receiving light conductor varying in response to the varying distance between the light source and the receiving end of the receiving light conductor;
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conducting light emitted from the light source through receiving end of the receiving light conductor, the intensity of the light received by the receiving light conductor being indicative of the distance between the light source 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 the light received from the sending end of the receiving light conductor.
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Specification