Patent ID: 6185446
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method to detect the presence of breathing of a patient, comprising:(a) providing an optical exciter means which generates an excitation light,(b) providing an optical transmission means comprising one or more optical fibers,(c) transmitting said excitation light through said optical transmission means,(d) providing an optical temperature change sensing means which, when excited with said excitation light, generates a return light, and where said return light changes characteristics correspondent with changes in the temperature of said optical temperature change sensing means,(e) coupling the transmitted excitation light from said optical transmission means into said optical temperature change sensing means,(f) placing said optical temperature change sensing means in thermal communication with the respiratory airstream of said patient,(g) transmitting said return light through said optical transmission means,(h) providing an optical receiver means which converts said return light into an electrical signal,(i) coupling said return light out of said optical transmission means into said optical receiver means,whereby said electrical signal indicates the presence of breathing of said patient.