Respiratory Volume/Flow Gating, Monitoring, and Spirometry System for Mri

A system for monitoring a respiratory parameter including at least one of respiratory volume or respiratory flow, the system comprising:

• a sensor for remotely detecting respiratory air having an air pressure, the sensor comprising:
• a pressure chamber configured to remotely receive the respiratory air,
• a membrane in the pressure chamber, the membrane movable responsive to the received air in the pressure chamber, and
• an optical system configured to optically detect movement of the membrane and to optically transmit the detected movement;
• and
• an electro-optic system for receiving the detected movement and converting the detected movement to an electrical movement measurement signal,
• wherein the respiratory parameter is determined based on the movement measurement signal.

A method for monitoring a respiratory parameter including at least one of respiratory volume or respiratory flow, the method comprising:

• remotely receiving respiratory air having an air pressure in a pressure chamber including a membrane, the membrane moving responsive to the received air;
• optically detecting movement of the membrane according to light reflected by the membrane;
• optically transmitting the optically detected movement to a remote location;
• receiving and converting the optically detected movement to an electrical movement measurement signal at the remote location;
• and
• determining the respiratory parameter based on the electrical movement measurement signal.