A detection apparatus and a method are provided for detecting a respiratory movement of a patient. The detection apparatus includes at least two metallic U-shaped signal coupling elements that are interleaved so that between the signal coupling elements arises at least one coupling point at which a signal may be transferred between the two signal coupling elements. Analysis electronics are configured to detect a change in a receive signal produced in a second of the signal coupling elements that is acting as a receiver in the near-field region of the first signal coupling elements as a result of a signal given for one of the signal coupling elements that is acting as a transmitter being coupled into the second of the signal coupling elements, which change indicates the respiratory movement.
