U.S. patent application number 12/761316 was filed with the patent office on 2011-04-28 for systems, methods and apparatus for differential air pressure devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to AlterG, Inc.. Invention is credited to Edward Liou, Fritz Moore, Douglas Frank Schwandt, Mark A. Shughart, Robert Tremaine Whalen, Sean Tremaine Whalen.
Application Number | 20110098615 12/761316 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40567692 |
Filed Date | 2011-04-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110098615 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Whalen; Sean Tremaine ; et
al. |
April 28, 2011 |
SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DIFFERENTIAL AIR PRESSURE
DEVICES
Abstract
Described herein are various embodiments of differential air
pressure systems and components for differential air pressure
systems. The air pressure systems comprise a chamber for receiving
at least a portion of a user's body. Pressure in the chamber can be
changed to adjust force on the user's body. Described herein are
various methods and related structures for sealing a user into a
pressurizable chamber. Also described herein are various methods
and related structures for changing the shape and/or height of the
chamber. Described herein are various types and configurations of
chambers and support structures for chambers. Also described herein
are various methods and related systems for treating various
conditions using the differential air pressure systems, including
but not limited to obesity, cardiac disease, multiple sclerosis,
cerebral palsy, or Down Syndrome.
Inventors: |
Whalen; Sean Tremaine;
(Mountain View, CA) ; Shughart; Mark A.; (Palo
Alto, CA) ; Schwandt; Douglas Frank; (Palo Alto,
CA) ; Whalen; Robert Tremaine; (Los Altos, CA)
; Liou; Edward; (Los Altos, CA) ; Moore;
Fritz; (Vacaville, CA) |
Assignee: |
AlterG, Inc.
FREMONT
CA
|
Family ID: |
40567692 |
Appl. No.: |
12/761316 |
Filed: |
April 15, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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PCT/US2008/011832 |
Oct 15, 2008 |
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12761316 |
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60999102 |
Oct 15, 2007 |
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60999101 |
Oct 15, 2007 |
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60999061 |
Oct 15, 2007 |
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60999060 |
Oct 15, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
601/151 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2230/01 20130101;
A63B 2220/40 20130101; A63B 2071/0072 20130101; A63B 2022/002
20130101; A63B 2208/0228 20130101; A61H 9/00 20130101; A61H
2201/5058 20130101; A63B 22/0076 20130101; A63B 2230/30 20130101;
A61F 2007/0239 20130101; A61H 2009/0035 20130101; A63B 2209/10
20130101; A63B 2230/06 20130101; A63B 2220/805 20130101; A63B 22/02
20130101; A63B 2220/20 20130101; A63B 2208/0204 20130101; A63B
22/0056 20130101; A63B 22/0605 20130101; A63B 2208/053 20130101;
A63B 2230/062 20130101; A63B 22/18 20130101; A63B 2208/0242
20130101; A63B 21/00181 20130101; A63B 22/0023 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
601/151 |
International
Class: |
A61H 7/00 20060101
A61H007/00 |
Claims
1. A structure for enclosing and sealing a portion of a body of a
user into a differential air pressure system, the structure
comprising: a chamber; and a user seal coupled to the chamber, the
user seal comprising an adjustable opening that is capable of
receiving and sealing around a user's body so that at least a
portion of the user's body is sealed into the chamber, wherein a
sufficiently airtight junction is formed between the user's body
and the chamber so that a nonzero differential pressure can be
sustained in the chamber, and the adjustable opening is capable of
accommodating a range of user body sizes.
2. The structure of claim 1, wherein the user seal comprises a
plurality of expansion slits distributed circumferentially around a
perimeter of user seal, and one or more of the expansion slits can
be selectively closed or opened by the user to adjust a size of the
opening in the user seal.
3. A user seal configured for use in a differential pressure
system, wherein: the user seal is configured to be coupled to a
chamber of a differential pressure system; and the user seal
comprises an opening that is capable of receiving and sealing
around a user's body so that at least a portion of the user's body
is sealed into the chamber, wherein a sufficiently airtight
junction is formed between the user's body and the chamber so that
a nonzero differential pressure can be sustained in the chamber,
and the user seal is configured to allow the user to rotate his
body relative to the chamber while maintaining the sufficiently
airtight junction between the chamber and the user's body.
4. The user seal of claim 3, comprising: an outer structure coupled
to the chamber; and an inner structure comprising the opening that
is capable of receiving and sealing around the user's body, wherein
the inner structure is configured to mate with the outer structure,
and the inner structure is configured to rotate relative to the
outer structure about a rotational axis of the outer structure.
5. A user seal configured for use in a differential pressure
system, wherein: the user seal is configured to be coupled to a
chamber of a differential pressure system; and the user seal
comprises an opening that is capable of receiving and sealing
around a user's body so that at least a portion of the user's body
is sealed into the chamber, wherein a sufficiently airtight
junction is formed between the user's body and the chamber so that
a nonzero differential pressure can be sustained in the chamber,
and the user seal is configured to be anchored to the user's body
so that the user seal maintains a relatively stable vertical
position along the body of the user as pressure in the chamber is
varied.
6. The user seal of claim 5, comprising a body wrap that is
anchored to a user's body, the body wrap comprising a plurality of
flexible flaps, wherein the plurality of flexible flaps are wrapped
around one or more body parts of the user and secured to provide a
grip between the body wrap and the user's body.
7. A user seal configured for use in a differential pressure
system, wherein: the user seal is configured to be coupled to a
chamber of a differential pressure system; and the user seal
comprises an opening that is capable of receiving and sealing
around a user's body so that at least a portion of the user's body
is sealed into the chamber, wherein a sufficiently airtight
junction is formed between the user's body and the chamber so that
a nonzero differential pressure can be sustained in the chamber,
and the user seal is configured to allow the user to translate his
body along an axis of the chamber while maintaining the
sufficiently airtight junction between the chamber and the user's
body.
8. The user seal of claim 7, comprising: a first section comprising
an opening that is capable of receiving and sealing around a user's
body; and a second section coupled to the chamber, wherein the
first and second sections are slidably coupled to form a junction
therebetween, wherein a sufficiently airtight junction is formed
between the user's body and the first section, between the first
and section sections, and between the second section and the
chamber so that at least a portion of the user's body is sealed
into the chamber, a nonzero differential pressure can be sustained
in the chamber, and the first section can translate relative to the
second section to allow the user to translate along the axis of the
chamber while substantially maintaining the nonzero differential
pressure in the chamber.
9. A user seal configured for use in a differential air pressure
system, the user seal comprising: a lower section comprising an
opening that is capable of receiving and sealing around a user's
body; and an upper section disposed on an upper surface of the
lower section to form a junction between the upper and lower
section, the upper section being coupled to the chamber, wherein a
sufficiently airtight junction is formed between the user's body
and the lower section, between the upper and lower sections, and
between the upper section and the chamber so that at least a
portion of the user's body is sealed into the chamber and a nonzero
differential pressure can be sustained in the chamber.
10. A pressurizable chamber for a differential air pressure system,
the chamber comprising: an inflatable enclosure formed from a
flexible material; and an adjustable frame that can be coupled to
the inflatable enclosure, wherein the adjustable frame controls at
least one of a width and a height of the enclosure in its inflated
state to reduce interference of the inflated enclosure with arm
and/or leg motion of a user whose lower body is sealed into the
pressurizable chamber and whose upper body is outside of the
pressurizable chamber.
11. The pressurizable chamber of claim 10, wherein the adjustable
frame comprises at least one contoured section to accommodate arm
and/or leg motion of the user.
12. The pressurizable chamber of claim 10, wherein the adjustable
frame comprises at least one telescoping member having a variable
length, wherein the length of the at least one telescoping member
is changed to adjust a dimension of the frame.
13. A chamber for a differential air pressure system, the chamber
comprising: an inflatable enclosure; a height adjustable frame
positioned around the enclosure, the height adjustable frame
capable of supporting a user's body weight in the event of a trip
or a fall, wherein the height adjustable frame comprises a rear
vertical support and a front vertical support, and at least one of
the rear and front vertical supports comprises a height adjustment
apparatus for engaging a lengthwise transverse member of the frame
that extends between the rear vertical support and the front
vertical support to adjust the height of the frame.
14. The chamber of claim 13, wherein the height adjustment
apparatus comprises a series of vertically arranged slots and
wherein the lengthwise tranverse member of the frame is engaged
into one of the slots of the height adjustment apparatus to adjust
a height of the frame.
15. A method of treatment comprising: creating a differential
pressure in a chamber of a differential air pressure system, the
chamber configured to receive at least a portion of a user's body
and to adjust force on the user's body by adjusting pressure in the
chamber; adjusting pressure in the chamber in response to a
condition-related metric determined for the user; generating an
initial setting for the differential air pressure system for the
user based on a dependence of the condition-related metric on the
adjustment of pressure; and generating an individualized treatment
protocol for the condition based on the initial setting for the
user.
16. The method of claim 15, for treating obesity.
17. A method of treatment comprising: creating a differential
pressure in a chamber of a differential air pressure system, the
chamber configured to receive at least a portion of a user's body
and to adjust force on the user's body by adjusting pressure in the
chamber; estimating an initial setting for the differential air
pressure system based on a condition of the user; receiving
indication of pain experienced by the user as a function of
pressure in the chamber; and using the indication of pain at one or
more pressure levels to set or modify a course of treatment for the
condition.
18. The method of claim 17, for treating a chronic injury.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the indication of pain is
received directly from the user.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the indication of pain is
received from one or more sensors sensing a biological parameter of
the user.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present patent application claims priority to the
corresponding U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/999,102, entitled "ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT FOR A DIFFERENTIAL AIR
PRESSURE DEVICE" and filed on Oct. 15, 2007, the corresponding
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/999,101, entitled
"ADJUSTABLE ORIFICE FOR A DIFFERENTIAL AIR PRESURE DEVICE" and
filed on Oct. 15, 2007, the corresponding provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/999,061, entitled "METHOD FOR DETERMINING
UNLOADING SETTINGS INA DIFFERENTIAL AIR PRESSURE DEVICE VIA PAIN
TITRATION" and filed on Oct. 15, 2007, and the corresponding
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/999,060, entitled
"METHOD FOR APPLYING A DIFFERENTIAL AIR PRESSURE DEVICE IN THE
FIELD OF PEDIATRICS, OBESITY, AND CARDIAC DISEASE" and filed on
Oct. 15, 2007, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in
its entirety. The present application is also related to U.S.
patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled "SYSTEMS, METHODS AND
APPARATUS FOR CALIBRATING DIFFERENTIAL AIR PRESSURE DEVICES"
(Attorney Docket No. 8038.P006) and filed concurrently herewith,
which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to differential air pressure
devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to
systems, methods and apparatus for differential air pressure
devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Gravity produces forces on the body. Methods of
counteracting these forces have been devised for therapeutic as
well as physical training uses. One way to counteract the effects
of gravity on a body is to attach elastic cords at the waist and/or
shoulder to produce either a positive or negative vertical force on
the individual.
[0004] Other systems may use differential air pressure to simulate
a low gravity effect, for example as described in U.S. Patent
Publication No. 2007/0181121, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
[0005] A need exists for improved differential air pressure systems
to be used for therapeutic and/or physical training uses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Described herein are various embodiments of differential air
pressure systems. The air pressure systems comprise a chamber for
receiving at least a portion of a user's body. Pressure in the
chamber can be changed to adjust force on the user's body.
Described herein are various methods and related structures for
sealing a user into a pressurizable chamber. Also described herein
are various methods and related structures for changing the shape
and/or height of the chamber. Described herein are various types
and configurations of chambers. Also described herein are various
methods and related systems for treating various conditions using
the differential air pressure systems, including but not limited to
obesity, cardiac disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, or
Down Syndrome.
[0007] Structures for enclosing and sealing a portion of a body of
a user into a differential air pressure system are described. In
some variations, the structures comprise a chamber and a user seal
coupled to the chamber. In these variations, the user seal
comprises an adjustable opening that is capable of receiving and
sealing around a user's body so that at least a portion of the
user's body is sealed into the chamber. A sufficiently airtight
junction is formed between the user's body and the chamber so that
a nonzero differential pressure can be sustained in the chamber.
The adjustable opening in the user seal may be capable of
accommodating a range of user body sizes. In some variations, the
user seal comprises a plurality of expansion slits distributed
circumferentially around a perimeter of the user seal, and one or
more of the expansion slits can be selectively closed or opened by
the user to adjust a size of the opening in the user seal.
[0008] In some variations, a user seal configured for use in a
differential air pressure system is configured to allow a user to
rotate his body relative to a pressure chamber of the differential
air pressure system. In these variations, the user seal is coupled
to the chamber and comprises an opening that is capable of
receiving and sealing around a user's body so that at least a
portion of the user's body is sealed into the chamber, and a
sufficiently airtight junction is formed between the user's body
and the chamber so that a nonzero differential pressure can be
sustained in the chamber. The user seal is configured to allow a
user to rotate his body relative to the pressure chamber while
maintaining the sufficiently airtight junction between the user's
body and the chamber. In some variations, the user seals that allow
user rotation comprise an outer structure coupled to the chamber,
an inner structure comprising the opening that is capable of
receiving and sealing around a user's body configured to seal
around the user's body, wherein the inner structure is configured
to mate with the outer structure and the inner structure is
configured to rotate relative to the outer structure about a
rotational axis of the outer structure.
[0009] Additional variations of user seals are described herein.
Some user seals are configured to be anchored to a user's body so
that the user seal maintains a relatively stable vertical position
along the user's body as pressure in the chamber is varied. In
these variations, the user seal is configured to be coupled to a
chamber of a differential air pressure system. The user seal
comprises an opening that is capable of receiving and sealing
around a user's body so that at least a portion of the user's body
is sealed into the chamber. A sufficiently airtight junction is
formed between the user's body and the chamber so that a nonzero
differential pressure can be sustained in the chamber. In some
variations, the user seal comprises a body wrap that is anchored to
a user's body. The body wrap may comprise a plurality of flaps. The
flaps may be wrapped around one or more body parts of a user and
secured to provide a grip between the body wrap and the user's
body.
[0010] Still more variations of user seals are described herein. In
some variations, a user seal may be configured to allow a user to
translate along an axis of a chamber in a differential air pressure
system. In these variations, the user seal is configured to be
coupled to a chamber of a differential pressure system, and the
user seal comprises an opening that is capable of receiving and
sealing around a user's body so that at least a portion of the
user's body is sealed into the chamber. A sufficiently airtight
junction is formed between the user's body and the chamber so that
a nonzero differential pressure can be sustained in the chamber.
The user seal is configured to allow the user to translate his body
along the axis of the chamber while maintaining the sufficiently
airtight junction between the chamber and the user's body. For
example, in some variations, the user seal may comprise a first
section comprising an opening that is capable of receiving and
sealing around a user's body and a second section that is coupled
to the chamber. The first and second sections are slidably coupled
to form a junction therebetween. A sufficiently airtight junction
is formed between the user's body and the first section, between
the first and section sections, and between the second section and
the chamber so that at least a portion of the user's body is sealed
into the chamber, a nonzero differential pressure can be sustained
in the chamber, and the first section can translate relative to the
second section to allow the user to translate along an axis of the
chamber while substantially maintaining the nonzero differential
pressure in the chamber.
[0011] Additional variations of user seals are provided herein. In
some variations, a user seal comprises a lower section comprising
an opening that is capable of receiving and sealing around a user's
body and an upper section disposed on an upper surface of the lower
section to form a junction between the upper and lower section. The
upper section can be coupled to the chamber. A sufficiently
airtight junction is formed between the user's body and the lower
section, between the upper and lower sections, and between the
upper section and the chamber so that at least a portion of the
user's body is sealed into the chamber and a nonzero differential
pressure can be sustained in the chamber.
[0012] Variations of pressurizable chambers for use in differential
air pressure systems are described here. In some variations, a
pressurizable chamber comprises an inflatable enclosure formed from
a flexible material, and an adjustable frame that can be coupled to
the inflatable enclosure. The adjustable frame controls at least
one of a width and a height of the enclosure in its inflated state
to reduce interference of the inflated enclosure with arm and/or
leg motion of a user whose lower body is sealed into the
pressurizable chamber and whose upper body is outside of the
pressurizable chamber. In some variations, the adjustable frame
comprises at least one contoured section to accommodate arm and/or
leg motion of the user. In some variations, the adjustable frame
comprises at least one telescoping member having a variable length,
wherein the length of the at least one telescoping member is
changed to adjust a dimension of the frame.
[0013] Additional variations of chambers for use in differential
air pressure systems are described herein. In some variations, a
pressurizable chamber comprises an inflatable enclosure and a
height adjustable frame positioned around the enclosure, wherein
the height adjustable frame capable of supporting a user's body
weight in the event of a trip or a fall. The height adjustable
frame can comprise a rear vertical support and a front vertical
support. At least one of the rear and front vertical supports can
comprise a height adjustment apparatus for engaging a lengthwise
transverse member of the frame that extends between the rear
vertical support and the front vertical support to adjust the
height of the frame. In some variations, the height adjustment
apparatus comprises a series of vertically arranged slots and the
lengthwise tranverse member of the frame is engaged into one of the
slots of the height adjustment apparatus to adjust a height of the
frame.
[0014] Methods of treatment using a differential air pressure
system are described herein. In some variations, the methods of
treatment comprise creating a differential pressure in a chamber of
a differential air pressure system, wherein the chamber is
configured to receive at least a portion of a user's body and to
adjust force on the user's body by adjusting pressure in the
chamber, and adjusting pressure in the chamber in response to a
condition-related metric determined for the user. The methods
further comprise generating an initial setting of the differential
air pressure system for the user based on a dependence of the
condition-related metric on the adjustment of pressure. In some
variations, the methods comprise generating an individualized
treatment protocol for the condition based on the initial setting
for the user. The methods may be used for treating a variety of
health conditions, including but not limited to obesity, cardiac
conditions, and musculoskeletal conditions.
[0015] Additional variations of methods of treatment are described
herein. In some variations, the methods comprise creating a
differential pressure in a chamber of a differential air pressure
system, wherein the chamber is configured to receive at least a
portion of a user's body and to adjust force on the user's body by
adjusting pressure in the chamber. The methods comprise estimating
an initial setting for the differential air pressure system based
on a condition of the user. The methods further comprise receiving
indication of pain experienced by the user as a function of
pressure in the chamber and using the indication of pain at one or
more pressure levels to set or modify a course of treatment for the
condition. The methods may comprise receiving the indication of
pain directly from a user in some variations, while in other
variations the methods may comprise receiving the indication of
pain from one or more sensors sensing a biological parameter of the
user. The methods may for example be used for treating acute
injuries or chronic injuries.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more
embodiments of the present invention and, together with the
detailed description, serve by way of illustration and not by
illustration to explain the principles and implementations of the
invention.
[0017] In the drawings:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an
example of a differential air pressure system that can be used for
exercise in accordance with one embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating another
example of a differential air pressure system that can be used for
exercise in accordance with another embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of an adjustable
orifice.
[0021] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate another embodiment of an adjustable
orifice.
[0022] FIGS. 5A-5L illustrate additional embodiments of adjustable
orifices, which in some variations may provide an anchor to the
user's body.
[0023] FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of user shorts.
[0024] FIGS. 7A-7J illustrate various embodiments of rotational
seals.
[0025] FIG. 8 illustrates various ranges of motion for a
differential air pressure system.
[0026] FIGS. 9A-9G illustrate various embodiments of translational
seals.
[0027] FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate various embodiments of mechanisms
to grip the user's body and create a sufficiently airtight
seal.
[0028] FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of a differential air
pressure system with provisions for adjusting the height of the
chamber opening and for providing safety support for a user.
[0029] FIG. 12 is a perspective view diagram of one embodiment of a
height adjustable support bar of a differential air pressure
system.
[0030] FIG. 13 is a side view diagram of one embodiment of a
support bar of a differential air pressure system.
[0031] FIG. 14 is a top view diagram of one embodiment of a support
bar of a differential air pressure system.
[0032] FIG. 15A is a diagram of one embodiment of a latching
mechanism to secure support bar to a differential air pressure
system.
[0033] FIG. 15B is a diagram of another embodiment of a latching
mechanism to secure support bar to a differential air pressure
system.
[0034] FIG. 16 is a perspective view diagram of an example of a
support bar coupled to a differential air pressure system.
[0035] FIG. 17 illustrates one embodiment of a height adjustable
structure for a differential air pressure system.
[0036] FIGS. 18A-18D illustrate additional embodiments for locking
mechanisms for a height adjustment structure in a differential air
pressure system.
[0037] FIGS. 19A-19B illustrate additional embodiments for skeleton
enforced shells to perform height adjustment in a differential air
pressure system.
[0038] FIGS. 20A-20C illustrate other embodiments of skeleton
enforced fabric shells for achieving height adjustment in a
differential air pressure system.
[0039] FIG. 21 illustrates one embodiment of a height adjustable
opening in a differential air pressure system shell.
[0040] FIG. 22 illustrates another embodiment of a height
adjustable opening in a differential air pressure system shell.
[0041] FIGS. 23A-23B illustrate various embodiments of a shaping
structure coupled to a height adjustable structure for a
differential air pressure system.
[0042] FIGS. 24A-24D illustrate various embodiments of height
adjustment mechanisms for a differential air pressure system.
[0043] FIGS. 25A-25D illustrate various embodiments of height
adjustment structures for a differential air pressure system.
[0044] FIG. 26A-26B illustrate various embodiments of an adjustable
height differential air pressure system chamber.
[0045] FIG. 27 illustrates one embodiment of a user seal attachment
for a differential air pressure system enclosure.
[0046] FIG. 28 illustrates one embodiment of a differential air
pressure system height adjustment.
[0047] FIG. 29 illustrates another embodiment of a differential air
pressure system height adjustment.
[0048] FIGS. 30A-30C illustrate various embodiments of lift
mechanisms for a floor or exercise apparatus positioned at least
partially inside a differential air pressure system.
[0049] FIGS. 31A-31E illustrate examples of structural bars that
contour and constrain a flexible inflatable shell in a differential
air pressure system.
[0050] FIGS. 32A-32D illustrate various embodiments of mechanisms
for contouring an inflatable shell in a differential air pressure
system.
[0051] FIG. 33 illustrates one embodiment of a minimally deforming
portion of a shell for use in an unloading device.
[0052] FIG. 34 illustrates one embodiment of a compression tension
system for use with a minimally deforming portion of a shell.
[0053] FIG. 35 illustrates one embodiment of a skeleton structure
for constraining and shaping a flexible differential air pressure
system enclosure.
[0054] FIG. 36A-36B illustrate various embodiments of a collapsible
bag shaping mechanism in a differential air pressure system.
[0055] FIG. 36C illustrates one embodiment of a collapsible
structure in a differential air pressure system.
[0056] FIG. 37 illustrates an embodiment of a differential air
pressure system comprising a contoured soft shell enclosure.
[0057] FIG. 38 illustrates an additional embodiment of a
differential air pressure system comprising a contoured soft shell
enclosure.
[0058] FIG. 39 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a process for
applying a differential air pressure system for treatment of
obesity
[0059] FIG. 40 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a process for
calibrating a differential air pressure device based on user pain
levels.
[0060] FIG. 41 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system
that may perform one or more of the operations described
herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0061] Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the
following detailed description of the present invention is
illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting.
Other embodiments of the present invention will readily suggest
themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this
disclosure. Reference will now be made in detail to implementations
of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying
drawings. The same reference indicators will be used throughout the
drawings and the following detailed description to refer to the
same or like parts. Unless clearly indicated otherwise explicitly
or by context, the singular referents such "a," "an", and "the" are
meant to encompass plural referents as well.
[0062] In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features
of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It
will, of course, be appreciated that in the development of any such
actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions
must be made in order to achieve the developer's specific goals,
such as compliance with application- and business-related
constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one
implementation to another and from one developer to another.
[0063] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
the components, process steps, and/or data structures may be
implemented using various types of operating systems (OS),
computing platforms, firmware, computer programs, computer
languages, and/or general-purpose machines. The method can be run
as a programmed process running on processing circuitry. The
processing circuitry can take the form of numerous combinations of
processors and operating systems, or a stand-alone device. The
process can be implemented as instructions executed by such
hardware, hardware alone, software, software alone, or any
combination thereof. The software may be stored on a program
storage device readable by a machine.
[0064] In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that devices of a less general purpose nature, such as
hardwired devices, field programmable logic devices (FPLDs),
including field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and complex
programmable logic devices (CPLDs), application specific integrated
circuits (ASICs), or the like, may also be used without departing
from the scope and spirit of the inventive concepts disclosed
herein.
Differential Air Pressure Systems
[0065] Examples of differential air pressure systems are
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In some variations, a differential
air pressure system, such as the systems illustrated in FIGS. 1 and
2, operates by taking an individual, placing their lower body
inside a sufficiently airtight chamber, and increasing the chamber
pressure a desired amount above the room air pressure, ambient
pressure. In certain embodiments, the pressure in the chamber can
be controlled precisely. The effect is that the individual is
modeled as a piston in a cylinder and the individual's normal
weight due to gravitational force is unloaded a certain amount. By
controlling the pressure with precision, the amount of offloading
of the user's weight can also be controlled with precision. For
example, for most individuals, the systems and methods described
herein can incrementally change a user's effective body weight by
as fine an adjustment as about 1% of the individual's body
weight.
[0066] As described below, in some embodiments, a user seal
describes a construction of a soft or flexible material, a stiff or
rigid material, or a combination thereof, to span the gap between a
user and a chamber in a sufficiently airtight manner. Various
examples of constructions and methods of accomplishing a user seal
are described below.
[0067] Furthermore, the differential air pressure systems and
related methods described herein may be adapted for use used in a
variety of different situations, such as, for example, dynamically
(e.g., while a user is in motion and not simply standing still) or
statically (e.g., while a user is stationary or relatively
stationary). In some embodiments, the differential air pressure
systems described herein may apply a positive pressure, where the
pressure inside the chamber of a differential air pressure system
is greater than the ambient pressure of the surroundings. In other
embodiments, a negative pressure may be applied to the pressure
chamber, the negative pressure being lower than that of the ambient
pressure of the surrounding environment.
[0068] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
system 100 for applying pressure to a lower body 106 of an
individual 101 in accordance with one embodiment. The system
includes a chamber 102 and controller 103 for adjusting or
controlling (increasing or decreasing) and maintaining the pressure
inside the chamber 102. An example of controller 103 is a negative
feedback control system, e.g. as described in U.S. Patent
Publication No. 2007/0181121, which is incorporated by reference
herein in its entirety.
[0069] The chamber 102 includes an aperture 104 along an axis, such
as a vertical axis, horizontal axis, etc., for receiving the lower
body 106. In accordance with one embodiment, the chamber 102 may
include a soft (flexible) or rigid (stiff) shell.
[0070] In variations in which the chamber 102 has a soft or
flexible shell or a shell including a soft or flexible portion and
a stiff or rigid portion, the soft shell or soft portion of the
shell may be inflated or deflated accordingly. In certain
variations, the chamber 102 may occupy an approximately
hemi-spherical shape or half-ovoid shape when a soft shell or soft
portion of a shell is inflated. FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment
where the chamber 102 includes a top portion of a sphere or
ovoid-like shape with a planar cross-section as a base 108 of the
chamber 102. The base 108 can support the individual user 101 in
any position, e.g. standing or sitting, such as standing upright or
sitting upright. It should be recognized a similar system may be
constructed with the user in a horizontal position, e.g. by
rotating the aperture 104 by about 90 degrees clockwise or
counter-clockwise.
[0071] The soft shell or soft shell portion may be made of any
suitable flexible material, e.g. a fabric (woven or nonwoven), a
thin sheet of plastic, leather (natural or synthetic), and the
like. In some variations, the soft shell or soft shell portion may
be made from sufficiently airtight fabric that may be woven or
non-woven. In some cases, a fabric used in a shell may be slightly
permeable to air, but be sufficiently airtight so as to allow a
desired degree of pressure to build up in the chamber. While the
chamber is deflated, the soft shell or shell portion may allow for
the lower body portion 106 to be positioned within the aperture
104. The aperture 104 may include for example an elliptical or
circular shape and flexible fabric or other type of flexible
material for accommodating various shapes of waistline of the
individual lower body 106. The height of the flexible soft shell
may be altered and the height restricted in a variety of
embodiments, for example by using straps to pull down on the top
surface. In some variations, the aperture 104 may include a rigid
ring (not shown) that surrounds the waist or torso of the
individual 101. The height of the chamber 102 can thus be adjusted
by raising or lowering the rigid ring.
[0072] One or more bars (not shown) may be provided as part of the
system 100 and may be configured to encompass at least a portion of
the flexible shell below the waist of the individual 101. Such bar
or bars may be configured to hold a flexible portion of shell in
along the sides of the chamber to limit expansion, therefore
keeping the shell close to the torso of the individual 101 allowing
for comfortable arm swing. The bar or bars may limit the ability of
a flexible shell from expanding into an undesired shape, e.g. a
spherical shape. The bar or bars may have any suitable
configuration. For example, in some variations, two parallel bars
may be provided along sides. In other variations, one U-shaped bar
may be used, where the base of the U-shaped bar may be positioned
in front of the user. Similarly, a rigid shell or partially rigid
shell may be configured to allow for keeping the arms of the
individual 101 from touching or otherwise being interfered with by
the rigid shell while the individual 101 is moving (walking or
running) through a contoured shape, e.g. a saddle shape.
[0073] The system 100 may also include a rear entrance walkway (not
shown) to facilitate entrance and exit to and from the chamber 102.
A rear entrance walkway may in some variations include a step. In
variations of the chamber 102 having a soft shell or soft shell
portion, such a rear entrance walkway, if present, may be used a
means for supporting the soft shell or soft shell portion in an
deflated state, e.g. so that it is easier to attach a seal 110 to
the individual 101. A walkway may also serve as a safety platform
in case the shell of the chamber 102 rips (in the case of a
flexible shell, e.g. a fabric shell) or breaks (in the case of hard
shell). A walkway may also include one or more holding bars for the
individual 101 to hold onto to support the individual or to prevent
the individual from falling.
[0074] With respect to variations of the chamber 102 having a hard
shell, the chamber 102 may include a door (not shown) or other type
of opening that allows the individual 101 to enter and exit the
chamber 102. For example, a door can be used, where the door can
swing open, swing down, or slide open. A door can be comprised of
fabric, plastic, leather or other type of flexible material that
can be closed in a sufficiently airtight manner with a zipper,
snaps, and/or other type of closure (e.g. Velcro.TM. type hook and
loop closures). In some variations, aperture 104 may be created by
moving two halves of chamber 102 apart and back together like a
clam-shell or a cockpit. Additionally, the height of hard shell may
be adjusted based on the height of individual 101.
[0075] A user seal 110 is provided between the lower body 106 and
the aperture 104 at or near the torso or the waistline of the
individual 101. In accordance with one embodiment, the seal 110
includes a plurality of openings/leaks around the torso of the
individual 101 to cool the individual 101 and to better control
distribution of pressure around the torso of the individual 101.
For example, leaks positioned in front by the stomach of the
individual 101 help with the bloating due to ballooning of the
flexible waist seal under pressure. Such deliberate leaks may be
implemented by sewing non-airtight fabrics, or by forming holes in
the shell or fabric of the chamber 102. The seal 110 can be made of
a substantially airtight material and/or non-airtight fabric. The
seal 110 can be implemented using any suitable means for securing
to the user's body, e.g. a skirt, pants, other means or technique
as described herein in greater detail below, or any combination
thereof.
[0076] In accordance with one embodiment, the seal 110 may include
a separable seal closure. Non-limiting examples of separable seal
closures include zippers, snaps, Velcro.TM. type hook and loop
closures, kayak style attachment (e.g. using a zipper) over a rigid
lip that is attached to the shell, clamps, and deformable loops. In
some variations, the seal 110 may include means for anchoring to
the individual lower body 106 and means for attaching to the
aperture 104. Means for anchoring to the user's body may include,
for example, Velcro.TM. type straps that extend around the
circumference of a user's thighs for adjustment to accommodate
different thigh sizes, and a belt that keeps the seal anchored at
the hipbone. Other examples of means for anchoring to the user's
body may include a high friction material that seals against the
user's body and remains anchored because of a high friction
coefficient. The seal 110 may be breathable and washable. In
accordance with another embodiment, the seal 110 may seal up to the
individual chest, and in some variations the seal may extend from
the user's waist region up to the chest. In some variations, the
seal 110 may include a skirt-type seal. Additional non-limiting
examples of seals are described in detail herein.
[0077] An optional exercise machine 112 may be at least partially
housed within the chamber 102. Any suitable exercise machine may be
used, e.g. a treadmill, a stationary bicycle, a rowing machine, a
stepper machine, an elliptical trainer, a balance board, and the
like. The exercise machine 112 may be, for example, a treadmill
having an adjustable height, inclination, and speed. Any parameter
of the exercise machine can be adjusted based on a dimension of the
individual user 101. For example, the height, position within the
chamber, seat position, handgrip position, and the like, of the
exercise machine 112 can be adjusted to accommodate a dimension of
the individual 101. Those of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that the treadmill shown is not intended to be limiting
and that other exercise machines can be used without departing from
the inventive concepts herein disclosed.
[0078] In some variations, a differential air pressure system
includes a pressurizable chamber without an exercise machine 112.
In these variations, the chamber 102 may be used without any
exercise machines, e.g. as a means to improve jumping ability,
balance, or general movement.
[0079] Any suitable type of controller 103 can be used for
adjusting the pressure inside the chamber 102. As stated above, the
controller 103 in some variations is configured to maintain the
pressure in the chamber 102, e.g. if the controller 103 is
configured as a negative feedback control system. In certain
variations, the controller 103 includes an intake system 114 and an
outtake system 116. In some cases, the controller 103 may include a
pressure sensor 120, a processor 122, or a control panel 118, or
any combination of two or more of the above.
[0080] In the variation illustrated in FIG. 1, intake system 114
includes an input port 124 for receiving a gas (for example, air),
a pressure source 126 (pump or blower), and an output port 128. The
gas flow from pressure source 126 may be unregulated. Pressure
source 126 can be turned on or off. In accordance with another
embodiment, the pressure source 126 may include a variable fan
speed that can be adjusted for controlling the incoming airflow to
the chamber 102. Pressure source 126 pumps gas from input port 124
to output port 128.
[0081] In the variation illustrated in FIG. 1, outtake system 116
includes an input port 130 for receiving gas from chamber 102, a
pressure regulating valve 132, and an output port 134 to ambient
pressure. The pressure regulating valve 132 controls the exhaust
flow from the chamber 102. The input port 130 is an output port of
the chamber 102. Gas leaves the chamber 102 via the output port
134. In accordance with another embodiment, a safety exhaust port
(not shown) may be connected to the chamber 102 for allowing gas to
exit the chamber 102 in case of pressure increasing beyond a limit
such as a safety limit, e.g. in an emergency or a system
failure.
[0082] In some variations, the differential air pressure system as
illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a user interface system for allowing
the individual 101 or an operator to interact with the system 100
via the processor 122. Any suitable user interface may be used,
e.g. a touch sensor such as a touch screen, a handheld button, a
handheld control box, or a voice-activated user interface. In
certain variations, a control panel 118 includes a user interface
system. The user interface and/or the control panel may be
interfaced with the processor 122 in a wireless configuration or
hardwired. In some variations, the individual 101 may use a
touch-screen interface (not shown) on the control panel 118, e.g.
to program the pressure within the chamber 102, and/or to control
one or parameters of the exercise machine, e.g. the speed, the
inclination, the resistance and/or the height of the exercise
machine 112. The control panel 118 may also be used by the
individual 101 to calibrate the system for correct body weight
and/or to input a desired factor or parameter to determine an
intensity of exercise. For example, the user may specify that he
wants to exercise at a certain fraction of his body weight, or
offset his body weight by a certain number of pounds, or exercise
at a certain heart rate or blood pressure, or exercise at a certain
pain level. Non-limiting examples of calibration processes are
described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled
"SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CALIBRATING DIFFERENTIAL AIR
PRESSURE DEVICES" (Attorney Docket No. 8038.P006) and filed
concurrently herewith, which is incorporated by reference herein in
its entirety.
[0083] In one embodiment, an optional pressure sensor 120 is
connected to the chamber 102 for measuring a differential pressure
between the pressure inside the chamber 102 and the ambient
pressure. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
the pressure sensor 120 shown is not intended to be limiting and
that other types of pressure transducer or pressure measuring
sensors can be used without departing from the inventive concepts
herein disclosed. The pressure sensor 120 communicates its
measurements to the processor 122. System 100 does not need to
include pressure sensor to accomplish the calibration, e.g. as
described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled
"SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CALIBRATING DIFFERENTIAL AIR
PRESSURE DEVICES" (Attorney Docket No. 8038.P006) and filed
concurrently herewith, which is incorporated by reference herein in
its entirety.
[0084] In some variations, the controller 103 can be configured to
use input from the pressure sensor 120 to control the pressure
source 126 and/or the pressure regulating valve 132. The processor
122 can communicate with the user interface or control panel 118,
if present. An example of the algorithm of the processor 122 is the
processor 122 receives an input from the control panel 118. For
example, the input may include a desired pressure within the
chamber 102, a desired percentage of body weight of the individual,
an amount of weight to offset the user's body weight, and/or a pain
level. The processor 122 can be configured to operate the pressure
source 126 and/or the regulated valve 132 using a negative feedback
loop, circuit, or system. The processor 122 can in certain
variations monitor the pressure inside the chamber 102 with input
from the pressure sensor 120. Based on the measurements from the
pressure sensor 120 and the input from user, e.g. via the control
panel 118, the processor 122 sends a drive signal to the regulated
valve 132 and/or the pressure source 126 to increase or decrease
the exhaust flow through the chamber 102 so as to maintain the
pressure within chamber 102 as close as possible to the desired
pressure. The desired pressure may be pre-set in some variations,
and in some variations may be received from the control panel 118
or derived from information received from user, e.g. via the
control panel. The pressure (positive or negative) inside the
chamber 102 produces an upward or downward force on the individual
101 resulting in a lighter or heavier sensation.
[0085] The processor 122 may in some variations communicate with
the exercise machine 112. The processor 122 may receive one or more
input parameters via the control panel 118 for the exercise machine
112. For example, the exercise machine 112 may include a treadmill
with speed or inclination adjusted by the processor 122 based on
the pressure sensed inside the chamber 102.
[0086] In accordance with some embodiments, the system 100 may be
controlled to monitor and/or maintain various performance
parameters, such as to achieve a constant stride frequency. In some
variations, the processor 122 may be configured to receive input
from one or more user performance parameter sensors, e.g. heart
rate, blood pressure, pain level, stride length, cadence or stride
frequency, foot strike pressure, and the like. One or more
parameters of the exercise machine such as speed, resistance and/or
pressure inside the chamber may be adjusted in response to the one
or more user parameters. For example, a sensor may be placed on a
treadmill to detect the impact from the user's feet on the
treadmill and compare with subsequent values to measure the time
duration between strides. The machine can then adjust pressure,
tilt, speed, etc. to maintain a specific stride rate.
[0087] In accordance with yet another embodiment, the system 100
may include an acceleration/deceleration sensor coupled to the
individual 101 sensing whether the user is speeding up or slowing
down. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there
are many ways of implementing such a sensor. The processor 122
receives the measurement from the acceleration/deceleration sensor
and may send a signal to increase or decrease the speed of the
treadmill in response to the measurement in combination with
increasing or decreasing the pressure inside the chamber 102.
[0088] The processor 122 may also include a data storage (not
shown) such as a database storing various data and/or executable
programs that may be selected or programmed in by the individual
101 or by an operator via the control panel 118. The data storage
may include a repository of data that may be used to control the
system 100. For example, while receiving data from one or more
sensors (including the pressure sensor, performance sensors of the
individual, a safety sensor, etc. . . . ) the processor 122 may
determine that one or more parameters has reached a pre-set limit
or a dangerous level. The processor 122 then alters the pressure
and/or a parameter of the exercise machine 112, e.g. a resistance
or speed, e.g. the speed of the treadmill. For example, a trainer
could set a maximum speed, heart rate, resistance, cadence, blood
pressure, or pain parameter for the individual 101. The processor
122 would ensure that that parameter is not to be exceeded. The
data storage may also be used to store past performance data and
personal records for different protocols and the system 100 could
allow the individual 101 to run against previous performance data
or personal records.
[0089] The data storage may also include various training programs
based on the selection from the control panel 118. The processor
122 could then limit activity levels to non-harmful ranges for the
individual 101 based on one variable, a combination of variables,
e.g. a maximal allowed user heart rate. The data storage may also
be able to log and record the performance and activities of the
individual 101 as well as store any calibration data so that the
individual 101, trainer, therapist or the like need not perform
that the calibration process for every use of the differential air
pressure system.
[0090] FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
system 200 for applying pressure to a lower body portion 106 the
individual 101 in accordance with another embodiment. The system
200 includes the chamber 102 and controller 202 for adjusting
(increasing or decreasing) the pressure inside the chamber 102. In
some variations controller 202 can be configured to maintain
pressure inside the chamber 102. An example of controller 202 is a
negative feedback control system.
[0091] Controller 202 for adjusting (and in some variations
maintaining) the pressure inside the chamber 102 includes an intake
system 204. In some variations, the controller includes a user
interface such as described in connection with FIG. 1. In certain
variations, a user interface may be included as part of a control
panel 118. In some variations, controller 202 includes a pressure
sensor 120, and a processor 206.
[0092] In the variation illustrated in FIG. 2, the intake system
204 includes an input port 208 for receiving a gas (for example,
air), a regulated pressure source 210, and an output port 212. The
regulated pressure source 210 pumps gas from the input port 208 to
the output port 212. The flow of air is regulated via the regulated
pressure source 210. The regulated pressure source 210 may include
an adjustable exhaust valve for controlling the gas flow rate
through output port 212. In accordance with some variations, the
regulated pressure source may include a pump having an adjustable
fan blade size or fan speed. The gas flow rate can be adjusted by
varying the fan speed or fan blade size. A safety exhaust port (not
shown) may be connected to the chamber 102 for allowing gas to exit
the chamber 102 in case of a pre-set limit is reached, e.g. in an
emergency or a system failure.
[0093] The processor 206 communicates with the control panel 118,
if present, and the pressure sensor 120 to control the regulated
pressure source 210. An example of the algorithm of processor 122
is the processor 206 receives an input from the user, e.g. via
control panel 118. For example, the input may include a desired
pressure inside the chamber 102, a body weight of the individual, a
factor to determine a percentage of body weight that the individual
would like to experience during exercise, a weight offset the user
would like use to offset his weight at relative to weight at
ambient pressure, a pain limit, a heart rate, and/or a blood
pressure, and the like. In the variation illustrated in FIG. 2, the
processor 206 can operate the regulated pressure source 210 using a
negative feedback loop, circuit, or system. The processor 206
monitors the pressure inside the chamber 102 with the pressure
sensor 120. Based on the measurements from the pressure sensor 120
and the input from the user (e.g. via control panel 118), the
processor 122 sends a drive signal to the regulated pressure source
210 to increase or decrease the gas flow through the chamber 102 so
as to maintain the pressure within chamber 102 as close as possible
to the desired pressure received from the user, e.g. via control
panel 118. The pressure (positive or negative) inside the chamber
102 produces an upward or downward force on the individual 101
resulting in a lighter or heavier sensation.
[0094] In some variations, the processor 206 may communicate with
an exercise machine 112 at least partially housed inside the
chamber 102. Any suitable exercise machine 112 may be used, e.g. as
described above in connection with FIG. 1. In some variations, no
exercise machine is used. The processor 206 may receive one or more
input parameters (e.g. speed, resistance, cadence, incline, workout
algorithm, or the like) from the user, e.g. via control panel 118,
for the exercise machine 112. For example, the exercise machine 112
may include a treadmill with speed or incline adjusted by the
processor 206 based on the pressure sensed inside the chamber
102.
[0095] The processor 206 may also include a data storage (not
shown) such as a database storing various data and/or executable
programs that may be selected or programmed in by the individual
101 or an operator via the control panel 118. The data storage may
include a repository of data that may be used to control the system
200. For example, while receiving data from all sensors, the
processor 206 may determine that one or more parameters have
reached a pre-set limit or a dangerous level. The processor 206
then alters the pressure and/or one or more parameters of the
exercise machine 112, e.g. the speed of a treadmill. For example, a
trainer or physical therapist could set a maximum speed parameter
for the individual 101. The processor 206 could limit that speed so
that it is not exceeded. The data storage may be used to store past
performance data and/or personal records for different protocols
and the system 200 could allow the individual 101 to train against
previous performance data or personal records.
[0096] The data storage may also include various training programs
based on a selection from the control panel 118. The processor 206
can in some variations limit one or more activity levels of the
individual to non-harmful levels based on one or more variables,
e.g. a maximal heart rate for the user. The data storage may also
be able to log and record the performance and activities of
individual 101.
User Seal for a Differential Air Pressure System
[0097] As described above, a user seal is provided between the user
and the chamber of a differential air pressure system to allow the
chamber to sustain a nonzero differential air pressure (i.e.
sustain a pressure in the chamber that is different than ambient
pressure). A functional user seal forms a sufficiently airtight
junction to the user's body and a sufficiently airtight junction to
the pressure chamber to sustain the desired nonzero differential
air pressure. Further, any intermediate junction within the user
seal must also be sufficiently airtight so as to sustain the
desired nonzero differential pressure. In various embodiments, user
seals can employ any suitable technique or attachment scheme to
form the sufficiently airtight junction between the user's body and
the seal itself, e.g. by using a sufficiently airtight elastic
material, an elastic band, a cinch, an adhesive, friction, and/or
close physical contact (e.g. a seal that is moldable or contoured
to follow the shape of a user's body). As described herein, a user
seal can be anchored to the user to form and maintain a
sufficiently airtight junction even when the user is moving (i.e.,
up and down, rotationally, or forward or backward), for a wide
range of clothing types that may be worn by users, and even when
the user is sweating, etc.
[0098] If an adhesive is used to anchor a user seal to a user
(alone or in combination with another anchoring mechanism), any
suitable adhesive type may be used, and any suitable adhesive
delivery may be used. For example, adhesive tape, a spray-on
adhesive, solvent based glue, and/or a curing epoxy may be
used.
[0099] To accommodate as many users as possible, it is desired for
differential air pressure systems to include a user seal that can
accommodate a range of different body sizes and body shapes. As
discussed below, a system with a user seal that includes an
adjustable orifice in the chamber for accepting the body of a user
that does not require multiple discrete orifice sizes, shapes, etc
may be a beneficial improvement on a differential air pressure
system. Furthermore, a single adjustable orifice seal in a chamber
that is adaptable to many users may speed up user entrance and exit
from the system and/or may reduce the number of steps and/or
specialized accessories needed to use the differential air pressure
system. Additionally, variations of user seals are provided below
that include an effective means of anchoring the user seal to the
body of the user to create the seal between the user and the
chamber.
[0100] In some embodiments, a separate insert may be added between
the user's body and a deformable material of a user seal to collect
sweat or other bodily substances, so that subsequent users can
exercise in a clean sanitary environment. Such an insert may be
applied to any of the adjustable orifice user seals described
herein.
[0101] Seal Orifice Sizing
[0102] Various techniques and structures may be employed to form a
user seal having an adjustable orifice that can accommodate a range
of users. Non-limiting examples of user seals having an adjustable
orifice are described herein. Further, various techniques and
structures may be employed to anchor the seal to the user, e.g. an
elastic material, an elastic band, a cinch, an adhesive, friction,
and/or close physical contact such as when the seal is molded or
contoured to the user's body.
[0103] FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of a seal 300 including an
adjustable orifice for use with a differential air pressure system,
such as those illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. As illustrated in
FIG. 3, in some variations, the adjustable orifice seal 300
includes a circumferential skirt 302 that allows for vertical
movement of the user and is in the shape of an upside-down skirt
(e.g., an inverted volcano). The adjustable orifice seal 300
(including skirt 302) can be attached to a shell 304 of the
differential air pressure system, for example using a sewing
stitch, adhesive, magnets, zipper, snaps, buttons, Velcro.TM. type
closures, or any other means described herein or otherwise known.
Thus, a user of the differential air pressure system that includes
seal 300 steps inside the central opening, and pull ups the skirt
302 around his or her torso. In one embodiment, a liner insert (not
shown), or other easily interchangeable inner material, is included
in the adjustable orifice seal 300, e.g. to avoid accumulation of
bacteria from one user to the next.
[0104] In some variations, one or more drawstrings (laces) or other
cinching mechanism (e.g. a ratchet) may be positioned
circumferentially around the opening for the user in a user seal.
Drawstrings or laces, if used, may be elastic or non-elastic. The
cinching mechanism allows the size of the opening to be varied to
accommodate a range of user sizes. Further, the one or more
drawstrings or other cinching mechanism function to press a user
seal against a user's body when cinched, thus anchoring the seal to
the body to form a sufficiently airtight junction to sustain a
desired differential pressure in the chamber. The one or more
drawstrings or other cinching mechanism can be arranged in any
suitable manner to cinch the user seal so as to urge the seal
against the user's body. For example, one or more drawstrings may
be circumferentially threaded around at least a portion of a
circular or elliptical user seal to enable cinching. In certain
variations, two or more drawstrings may be circumferentially
threaded around at least a portion of a circular or elliptical user
seal, e.g. so that the two or more drawstrings are arranged in a
generally concentric fashion. In certain cases, multiple
drawstrings may be arranged vertically relative to each other and
circumferentially threaded around at least a portion of a seal so
that the multiple drawstrings provide anchoring of the seal to the
user vertically along a user's torso. Alternatively or in addition,
one or more drawstrings may be threaded through a gap in the user
seal, where the gap allows the user seal to open to accommodate
entry or exit of the user. The one or more drawstrings may be
cinched to close the gap to seal the user into the chamber before
operation of the differential air pressure system.
[0105] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the skirt 302
includes one or more drawstrings, such as drawstring 306.sub.1 to
drawstring 306.sub.N. The one or more drawstrings can enable
smaller users to tighten the skirt 302 as needed. The draw strings
306.sub.1 . . . N further anchor the adjustable orifice skirt 302
to the body to prevent the skirt from inverting when the
differential air pressure systems of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are
pressurized.
[0106] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate additional embodiments of an
adjustable orifice seal that include an adjustable skirt 400,
wherein the skirt is made of flexible material such as neoprene,
rubber, etc. and is attached to a shell 406 of a differential air
pressure system. In one embodiment, to make the circumference of
the skirt 400 smaller (e.g., to transition the orifice skirt 400
from the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4A to that illustrated
in FIG. 4B), a series of pleats, such as pleats 402.sub.1 to
402.sub.N, are included in the adjustable orifice. In one
embodiment, the pleats 401.sub.1 . . . N may be sections of fabric
or other flexible material that can be tightened with a zipper,
snap, button, or Velcro.TM. type closure, made of an elastic
material, include fastening buckles, drawstrings, or other suitable
closure. There may be additional flexible material (e.g. a fabric
layer) disposed between the pleats for maintaining continuity of
the skirt fabric layer and air seal if the pleat is not used.
[0107] By closing one or more of pleats 402.sub.1 . . . N to form
closed pleats 410.sub.1 . . . N as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the
circumference of the skirt 400 is reduced about user's 404 waist.
Conversely, to open up the circumference of the orifice skirt 400,
one or more closed pleats 410.sub.1 . . . N, may be opened.
Furthermore, because any distribution of closed and open pleats may
be achieved with the adjustable orifice variation illustrated in
FIGS. 4A-4B, the orifice is adjustable to fit a wide range of body
sizes and shapes in a differential air pressure system.
[0108] FIG. 5A illustrates another embodiment of an adjustable
orifice seal 500 utilizing drawstrings or belts. In the particular
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5A, a single drawstring 502 is
threaded circumferentially around at least a portion of the
adjustable seal orifice 500. The seal 500 may comprise a strip of
elastic material 506 that is, in turn, connected to a flexible
shell 504 of a differential air pressure machine. The drawstring,
when cinched, gathers the elastic material 506 to form a
sufficiently airtight seal around the torso of the user. In another
embodiment, multiple drawstrings are utilized, e.g. as illustrated
in FIG. 3. In some variations, multiple drawstrings loop around the
orifice and may be individually tightened. Multiple drawstrings can
provide an advantage of securing the orifice enclosure to the
user's body at multiple locations in a generally vertical
orientation (i.e. in a direction that is approximately orthogonal
to a plane defined by the orifice) along the user's body.
Furthermore, one drawstring (e.g. an upper drawstring) may secure a
maximum diameter or circumference of the opening and the lower
drawstring(s) may provide the sealing pressure of the flexible
material of the seal surrounding the user's body. Multiple
drawstrings may also serve to anchor the seal (e.g. fabric of the
seal) to the body. As described, belts and draw strings are but one
example and should not limit the type of securing apparatus for a
seal having an adjustable orifice in a differential air pressure
system.
[0109] FIG. 5B illustrates another of an adjustable orifice seal
510 utilizing one or more laces 512 for adjustment of opening size.
The laces 512 pull the fabric or other flexible material of the
seal around the orifice together like a girdle. In one embodiment,
the laces may reside along only a portion of the vertical surface
of the opening. In one embodiment, the opening is constructed from
a sufficiently airtight and flexible material, such as neoprene.
Furthermore, additional flexible material 514 may be disposed
between the laces 512 to maintain a sufficiently airtight seal over
the laces 512. In one embodiment, multiple sets of laces may be
distributed in more than one location around the perimeter of the
opening.
[0110] FIG. 5C illustrates another embodiment of an adjustable
orifice seal 520 utilizing one or more expandable pouches 522. In
one embodiment, the one or more expandable pouches 522 decrease the
orifice circumference of an opening as pouches 522 are expanded to
create a seal to a user 526. The pouches may be made of an
expandable material such as rubber, neoprene, or other flexible
airtight material. In one embodiment, the pouches are fixed to a
stiff outer surface 528 attached to the enclosure or shell of a
chamber of a differential air pressure system. The stiff outer
surface 528, if present, limits the outward expansion of the
pouches 522 when the pouches 522 are expanded, forcing the pouches
to expand inward toward the user 526 around the perimeter of the
user. The pouches may be filled with a substance such as air, other
form of gas, liquid (e.g. water), gel, or other suitable substance
to expand the pouches 522. The pouches 522, when expanded, fit
against a shaped surface 524 that is attached in a sufficiently
airtight manner to the user 526 thus effectively locking in the
user and creating a seal. It should be noted that the seal 520 may
allow for relative rotation between the stiff outer surface 528 and
the one or more pouches 522, and/or relative rotation between one
or more pouches 522 and the shaped surface 524, and/or relative
rotation between the shaped surface 524 and the user 526. For
example, in one embodiment, the surface 524 may comprise a low
friction bearing coating, utilize bearings, or utilize lubrication
to improve rotational properties of the user 526 when sealed in the
orifice. In some variations, a second seal flap (not shown) may be
disposed between the surface 524 and the expandable pouch or
pouches 522 to enhance the sealing characteristics of this
interface. By having pouches 522 that are initially unfilled, the
user 526 can adjust his rotational position in the opening. The
pouches 522 may then be filled to fit the user 526. The pouches 522
are backed by a constraining piece 528 that retains the position of
the pouches 522 and limits outward expansion of the pouches. In one
embodiment, the pouches 522 are filled and adjusted manually. In
another embodiment, the pouches 522 are filled and adjusted using
hardware, software, or a combination of both. In either case, the
bags can be filled to levels according to sealing properties and
user comfort.
[0111] In some variations, one or more expandable pouches can be
provided on either the enclosure of the chamber and/or on
attachment (e.g. shorts) worn by a user. FIG. 5D shows a
cross-sectional view of a system where a stiff backing surface 534
and one or more expandable pouches 532 are disposed on the user
536, clothing worn by the user, etc. Pouches 532 expand against
outer rigid surface 538 that may be attached to the enclosure of a
differential air pressure system to seal the user 536 in the
differential air pressure system. Similar to FIG. 5C described
above, the expandable pouch or pouches 532 may rotate relative to
the backing surface 534 and/or relative to the outer sealing
surface 538.
[0112] In one embodiment, a seal comprising an adjustable orifice
is constructed in a weave similar to a Chinese finger trap to
snugly fit individuals of varying dimensions, as illustrated in
FIG. 5E. A Chinese finger trap is a woven cylinder that when
expanded compresses radially. When a user is inserted into
adjustable orifice seal as illustrated in FIG. 5E, and the seal is
extended axially (e.g. from axially compressed configuration 540 to
axially expanded configuration 542), a snug fit around a user can
be created.
[0113] In some variations of woven adjustable orifice seals as
illustrated in FIG. 5E, the weave is configured such that it will
snugly fit around users having a variety of dimension, while also
being easily releasable. In various embodiments, the weave can be
an open weave or a closed weave, and can be constructed from any
suitable material, e.g. a natural or synthetic textile. In some
variations, the weave comprises NYLON.TM. polymer. Furthermore, in
some variations, the weave can comprise a low porosity or
non-porous overlay such as rubber skinned neoprene to assist with
sealing and user comfort.
[0114] In another embodiment of an adjustable orifice seal as
illustrated in FIG. 5F, an expandable band 546 may be used to
adjust the size or shape of the orifice of the seal. By expanding a
band 546 and allowing a user to insert himself into the orifice of
the seal to enter the chamber, and then proceeding to release the
band to close and conform to the body of the user, the user can be
securely sealed in the chamber.
[0115] Any suitable expandable band may be used in adjustable
orifice seals as illustrated in FIG. 5F. In one embodiment, the
expandable band 546 utilizes an elastic band material that allows
the circumference of the orifice to expand and contract. In some
variations, expansion of the band 546 may be accomplished by a user
squeezing his body into the orifice surrounded by the expandable
band. In some variations, the expandable band may comprise an
inflatable inner tube-like chamber 548 or other mechanical means
that when inflated expands radially outward, and when released
(deflated) urges the band 546 inward against the user. In certain
variations, an expandable band 546 can comprise one or more
deformable structures backed with an elastic band. The deformable
structure may for example be formed from a material similar to foam
or other conforming material that span the gap between the user and
the elastic band. When the elastic band is released, the deformable
material squeezes around the circumference of the user's body
creating a sufficiently airtight seal.
[0116] Yet another example of an adjustable orifice seal comprising
an expandable band is illustrated in FIG. 5G. There, expandable
band 550 comprises a deformable section 552 attached to springs
(not shown). In some variations, the deformable pieces can be made
to conform to the user's anatomy to create a seal. The springs (not
shown) can be compressed and held to open the orifice for the user
to enter, then released to create the seal. The deformable section
552 may comprise multiple, separable pieces of a deformable
material, may be a unitary construction (e.g. a solid ring), or may
comprise multiple pieces integrated together to form a single
piece. In some variations, the deformable section 552 may be
hollow, and the springs (not shown) may be disposed inside the
hollow of the deformable section 552.
[0117] Other configurations and types of deformable structures can
be used to adjust the size of an opening in a pressure chamber. In
one embodiment, a deformable constructed form or shape-recovering
material can be secured to all or part of a perimeter of the
opening, and a user can deform the foam to get in the chamber. Once
the user is in the chamber, a shape-recovering deformable
structure, e.g. foam, will try to recover to its normal shape
against the user, thereby forming a seal. In some variations, a
deformable material may be permanently deformable and a molded
insert specific to a user's body can be attached to the chamber
prior to use and subsequently compressed around the user when the
user enters the machine. FIG. 5H shows an example of a deformable
material 554 that is compressed around the user's body 556 to span
the opening of the chamber enclosure and to create a substantially
airtight seal around the user. In one embodiment, the deformable
material may recover its shape or form once released from the
user's body (e.g. a memory material, foam, gel, etc.). In another
embodiment, the deformable material is detachable, and specifically
molded to the user's body. In some embodiments, compartments of
deformable material, such as foam or gel, can be used for the same
or similar purpose as shown in FIG. 5H.
[0118] In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5I, deformable
material 558 is disposed in a wedge-like volume between hinged
elements 560. The hinged elements 560 may be wedges in some
variations, but may have other than wedge shapes in other
variations. By opening the wedge-like volume using the illustrated
hinge, the deformable material 558 can be drawn outward (away from
the user) (e.g. from position 562.sub.1 to position 562.sub.N), a
larger orifice is created for a user to enter. By compressing the
wedge-like volume between elements 560, the material is deformed
inward (toward the user) (e.g. from 562.sub.1 to 562.sub.N) to form
a ring-like seal against the user's body, thereby forming a
sufficiently airtight seal. In some embodiments, the degree of
compression of the hinged elements 560 may be controlled by, for
example, a processor connected to a differential air pressure
system. In some embodiments, the hinged elements 560 may be locked
into one of a number of selectable positions corresponding to the
amount of expansion of the deformable material required to seal to
the user's body. In those embodiments, the hinged elements may be
locked using any suitable locking element or locking mechanism,
e.g. a pin, a clamp, a ratchet, or other locking mechanism
described herein or otherwise known. Furthermore, in some
variations, a separate insert (not shown) may be disposed around
the user's body to create a smooth surface for the deformable
material to compress against. If present, such an insert may form a
sufficiently airtight seal to the user's body and may be
sufficiently stiff to withstand the compression from the deformable
material.
[0119] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5J, an adjustable
orifice seal 564 can be made adjustable by configuring the seal to
include an iris diaphragm configured to form a sufficiently
airtight seal against the user. In some variations, an iris used to
make an adjustable orifice seal can include or be made from several
stiff pieces of material, such as pieces 566, which are rotated
open and closed to create a variable sized orifice. The stiff
material may be a plastic, metal, or other sufficiently structural
material that will not deform significantly under pressure. In one
embodiment, the iris uses one or more locking mechanisms to keep
the iris in an open, closed, or fixed in an intermediate position.
Any suitable locking technique or locking device can be used,
including pins, clamps, levers, or any other suitable locking
mechanisms described herein or otherwise known. In some variations,
a softer transition material (such as a rubber, fabric or leather)
may be added to ends of iris diaphragm 566 components to form a
softer interface between the iris diaphragm and the user's body to
promote comfort and/or to improve the quality of the seal. For
example, in some variation the iris diaphragm may be configured to
be expandable from an approximately 12'' diameter opening to an
approximately 22'' diameter opening to accommodate users of a wide
range of body types.
[0120] FIG. 5K illustrates another embodiment of an adjustable
orifice seal 570 utilizing one or more bags 572 to seal against the
user. In some variations, the bags 572 can be filled with pellets,
and may be disposed around the perimeter of the user and attached
to the pressurizable enclosure. In one embodiment, pellets in one
or more bags 572 can be used to create a seal by applying a vacuum
to the one or more bags. When air is removed from the bag, the
pellets form a stiff surface that conforms to the user's body. The
pellets can be constructed from any suitable material, e.g. plastic
such as Styrofoam.TM. foamed polystyrene, glass, or other stiff
material. Furthermore, the pellets are sized small enough that they
form a contoured, stiff seal when put under a vacuum. The vacuum
applied to the bag containing the pellets should be sufficiently
strong such that it can pull the pellets to form a comfortable,
stiff seal even when under pressure from the chamber. In one
embodiment, a softer material 574 may be disposed between the body
of the user and the bagged vacuum packed pellets to promote comfort
during use and/or to enhance the seal between the user and the
bagged vacuum packed pellets. The vacuum may be supplied by an
external source such as a motor, a suction pump activated by the
user, or other suitable means for pulling a vacuum in a bag or
bags. In some variations, one or more components of a differential
air pressure machine may be configured to supply a vacuum, e.g. a
blower used to pressurize the chamber may be configured as a
pump.
[0121] FIG. 5L illustrates another embodiment of an adjustable
orifice seal 578 utilizing one or more cam 580. In this variation,
one or more cams 580 are utilized to form a seal against the user
582. The cams 580 are shaped pieces that naturally have a center of
mass that causing them to point downward. Their geometry can be
formed in many different ways, but one end of their shape has a
longer path around an axis than another part of the shape. If they
are arranged in a loop configuration, this causes a larger diameter
hole when they are pointed down than when they are pointed in
towards the middle of the hole. When the user enters the opening,
the cams either fall down or are already pointed downwards along
their longest axis from their pivot points. When the cams 580 are
pushed up, either by pressure, the user being raised, or through
the use of a lever or the like, the cams are pushed up so that the
circumference of the opening is reduced, forming a seal against the
user. In one embodiment, the cams have a locking mechanism that
keeps them in a stable orientation. Furthermore, a substantially
airtight material (not shown) may be disposed between the cams to
maintain a sufficiently airtight seal to the user. In one
embodiment, the cams 580 are biased inward such that user 582, upon
insertion of their body, pushes the cams 580 down and outward. The
bias on the cams 580 causes them to create an initial pressure on
the substantially airtight material spanning the cams 580, and
therefore to create an initial seal to the body of the user. The
air pressure within the chamber surrounding the user, when
increased, can enhance the pressure on the cams 580 and therefore
improve the seal.
[0122] In some variations, a pouch can be added to shorts worn by a
user of some appropriate embodiments discussed herein to add
comfort to the groin during use in a differential air pressure
system. This pouch, if present, can be made using an elastic
material. One embodiment of user shorts 584 with a pouch 586 is
illustrated in FIG. 6. In one embodiment, the short may be
constructed of a porous material that allows a pressure change,
thereby reducing the pressure force around that area. This may be
especially important for male users at low pressures.
[0123] Rotational Orifice Sealing
[0124] Currently devices that utilize differential air pressure
technology for cosmetic, health, or fitness purposes are limited in
the way that a user is able to move with respect to the pressure
chamber. The chamber that has either a higher or lower pressure
than the outside air allows a user to accomplish a variety of
activities that can lead to bodily improvements. Currently, a user
in one of these machines may want to increase their range of motion
through allowing rotation of their body relative to the enclosure
statically (i.e., prior to or after activity), or dynamically
(i.e., during activity). A user seal that facilitates rotational
movement is advantageous for many applications of differential air
pressure technology. Dynamic adjustment gives the user the ability
for a wider range of motion during their time in the chamber, and
allows them to change position in the chamber without having to
exit the chamber or to change a setting of the chamber. A
rotational adjustment capability would allow users to perform
normal forward motion, sideways motion, and backwards motion
without having to adjust the direction or angle of the floor or
moving surface underneath. While not required, further combination
with a translational movement capability may also improve the
experience and range of motion for a user inside a pressurized
chamber. In one embodiment, one or both of the described rotational
and translational movement capabilities may be assisted via
automation, sensors, software, and/or hardware.
[0125] In one embodiment, a rotational seal is made via the use of
bearings to allow a rotational motion about a seal in a
differential air pressure system. In one embodiment, relative
rotation motion of a user inside a chamber is enabled by disposing
a bearing between the user and the enclosure. FIG. 7A illustrates
one embodiment of a bearing enclosure incorporating needle bearings
for use in a user seal in a differential air pressure system. For
the particular example illustrated in FIG. 7A, the bearing
enclosure 700 has an exterior tubular section 702 and an interior
section 704 that is arranged in a concentric relationship with the
exterior tubular section 704. The spacing tolerance between the
outer surface of the interior section 702 and the inner surface of
the concentrically arranged exterior tubular section 704 is such
that the exterior section 704 is oversized just enough relative to
the interior section 702 to accept insertion of a plurality of
circumferentially distributed needle bearings 706 between those
surfaces. Bearing enclosure 700 can be positioned around the user
seal. As the user rotates and tries to move too far off-concentric
from a center of the orifice in the chamber, the needle bearing
resists this motion but the needle bearings (rollers) allow for
rotation. The user is therefore kept generally concentric with the
enclosure but is allowed to rotate freely. In some embodiments, a
secondary seal (not shown), such as a flap seal or other sealing
method described herein or otherwise known, may be used to seal the
gap between the two concentric surfaces taken up by the needle
bearing.
[0126] Rotation of the user relative to the enclosure can also
accomplished by using ball bearings between layers of material.
FIGS. 7B and 7C illustrates a section view of one embodiment of a
seal 708 with bearings 712 between layers of materials 710A and
710B for use in a pressure chamber. A simplified example of ball
bearings used between layers of material is a lazy Susan bearing.
The lazy Susan bearing comprises concentric rings that are
connected via multiple ball bearings that allow the two concentric
rings to rotate relative to each other. The inner ring may connect
to or contact the user via another medium (e.g. a fabric or
rubber), and the outer ring may connect to the enclosure via a
second medium. The bearing itself may be separable from the chamber
but attachable to the chamber using a method described herein or
otherwise known. In one embodiment, a flap seal 714 or other known
sealing method may be disposed across the surfaces of the
concentric rings of the bearing to seal the gap between the
bearings. In one embodiment, a similar configuration may be used
for a negative pressure chamber, when the flap seal is moved to the
top surface of the bearing rather than the bottom surface. In one
embodiment, the rotational seal 708 utilizes fluid bearings. There,
by inserting a layer of gas or liquid, a bearing can be created
that is useful for improving motion. The outer surfaces in such a
bearing would be sealed to prevent leakage of the fluid.
[0127] FIG. 7D illustrates another embodiment of a rotational seal
720 with one or more pieces of overlapping materials, illustrated
as overlapping materials 722 and 724, with properties enabling them
to spin relative to one another. In FIG. 7D, the multiple materials
722 and 724 are configured to overlap to create a seal between a
pressure chamber and the outside, while allowing a user to rotate.
The overlap may between two materials, as illustrated in FIG. 7D,
or between more than two materials. The overlap may be between two
pieces or between multiple pieces. In one embodiment, the relative
rotational motion between the materials is achieved by sufficiently
low coefficient of friction between the two surfaces of materials
722 and 724 (e.g., rollers or bearings between the two surfaces, or
other known methods of allowing relative motion between two
separate materials). In one embodiment, a rotational seal such as
rotational seal 720 may include one or more stops, tracks, or guide
surfaces to allow a specific rotational range of motion. In one
embodiment, this rotational seal concept may be adapted to operate
with a negative pressure inside the chamber, e.g. by putting the
portion of the seal attached to user on the top surface of the
chamber so that the vacuum within the chamber pulls the two
surfaces together instead of pushing them apart.
[0128] In different embodiments, rotational seals may be configured
via different geometries, as illustrated in FIGS. 7E-7I. In one
embodiment, seal materials are configured in different geometries
to take advantage of different variables such as the environment,
pressure forces, chamber shaping, user motion, manufacturability,
and cost. Some examples of these other geometries are cones,
parabolas, semi-spheres, or hooking/locking mechanisms.
[0129] FIG. 7E illustrates a section view for one embodiment of a
seal 730 of overlapping cones 732 and 734 that may rotate relative
to each other. Overlapping cones are but one form of overlapping
seal that may provide rotation.
[0130] FIG. 7F illustrates one embodiment of a locking hook
mechanism 736 that may be used to secure together two pieces 738
and 740 to form a seal around the circumference of an opening in a
chamber. As illustrated, the first piece 738 has a hook-like
cross-sectional shape that fits over the second piece 740. The
second piece 740 can comprise a tube or rod (e.g. a plastic tube or
rod) that may be part of a frame, or an extension of a frame. The
tube or rod is sewn in the hem of a flexible shell enclosure 741.
The locking hook first piece 738 is placed over the second
cylindrical piece as illustrated, thereby forming a seal between
first piece 738 and second piece 740 that allows for relative
rotation between the two pieces 738 and 740 due to low coefficient
of friction between surfaces of the two pieces 738 or 740 or due to
any other technique that facilitates relative movement of the two
pieces. Because the seal is formed by simply hooking the locking
hook first piece 738 over the second piece, this variation of
rotational seal allows relative quick sealing of a user into a
chamber.
[0131] FIG. 7G illustrates one embodiment of a deformable insert
744A-744B. The deformable insert 744A-744B is configured to drop
inside an orifice or to reside on a top surface of a pressurizable
chamber and be positioned over an orifice of the chamber. The
deformable insert may be constructed from stiff but deformable
materials such as plastic, flexible materials such as neoprene, or
a combination of both stiff and flexible materials. FIG. 7G shows
an exemplary embodiment of a deformable skeleton 744A that would be
spanned with a flexible sufficiently airtight material. The
skeleton 744A would be deformable to a shape 744B with a smaller
outer dimension and when released spring back 744A to achieve a
larger outer dimension. The material that spans the gap in the
chamber may be sufficiently airtight and must seal to both the
chamber and the user. This deformation allows for insertion into an
opening of a pressurizable chamber and the subsequent expansion
provides overlap to create the seal to the enclosure.
[0132] FIG. 7H illustrates another embodiment of a deformable
insert 746. As illustrated in FIG. 7H, a rigid portion of insert
748A is an outer ring 748B positioned at the base of a flexible
material constructed in a conical arrangement. The stiffer outer
ring may be bent inward as illustrated to adopt configuration 750
to drop through the opening of a pressurizable chamber 762. Once
dropped through the opening of the chamber, the insert may
subsequently adopt expanded configuration 760. In one embodiment,
the stiffer outer ring 748B may be shaped with a hooking shape such
that it mates with an inner surface of the chamber 762, to enhance
locking to the chamber 762 and to prevent the insert from
separating and exiting the chamber as pressure is increased. In one
embodiment, magnets or other attracting means may be used to
enhance the seal during lower pressure operation by attracting the
ring and/or a flexible portion of the seal to the inside or outside
of the chamber. In other embodiments, buckles, straps, or other
fastening devices may be used to secure the ring to the exterior of
the chamber 712, e.g. to provide support for the user should the
user fall and begin to drop through the orifice of the chamber. In
a negative pressure system configuration, a deformable insert
(similar to insert 746 illustrated in FIG. 7H) may reside on a top
rigid surface of the pressure chamber, thereby preventing the
deformable insert from being sucked through the opening under a
vacuum; so that the deformable insert is essentially functioning as
a cap to the chamber in a similar fashion described above. This can
allow the user to easily enter the chamber and still provides a
user seal that keeps pressure in and allows for user rotation.
[0133] FIG. 7I-1 illustrates another embodiment of a rotating seal
766. In this particular example, the rotating seal comprises two
separating pieces, an upper piece 768 and a lower piece 770, that
when joined form a keyway 774, and a fitting "key" 772 that is
insertable into the keyway 774 such a manner as to allow for
rotation of one of the pieces 768 and 770 relative to the other,
while anchoring a user in the orifice in a way that also retains
pressure in the chamber. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper
piece 768 including one half of a keyway 774 is lowered over the
lower piece 770 which includes the other half of the keyway 774.
When the two pieces are connected, a circular passage around the
circumference of the seal is created. A key 772 (e.g. a round key)
is inserted into the slot, locking the pieces together. To rotate
the seal, the user may be connected to the upper or lower piece
with the enclosure connected to the other of the upper and lower
pieces. As the user attempts to rotate, the circular key allows
movement of one piece relative to the other without breaking the
junction or the seal. This seal can be constructed in a way that
allows it to spin. In one embodiment, a secondary seal, for example
a flap (not shown), may be disposed between the two halves that
create the rotational seal 766 to maintain a sufficiently tight
seal during rotation.
[0134] In another embodiment of a rotational seal, illustrated in
FIG. 7I-2, a loop of fabric on the user side of the seal is
inserted into a slot that runs the circumference of a stiff channel
attached to the top of the enclosure of a differential air pressure
system. The key is then pushed through the loop of fabric, causing
the loop of fabric to expand within the slot, which prevents the
loop from exiting the slot. Similarly, in other variations, a seal
may be created if the loop is not necessarily made from fabric, but
is made from a material which deforms and seals to the stiff
chamber on the enclosure.
[0135] Another embodiment of rotational seal comprising a "key"
rotation and locking mechanism is to create a stiff circumferential
cavity around the user's waist such as depicted in FIG. 5C,
discussed above. An expandable material, which may be an inflatable
ring, is disposed around the perimeter of the chamber such that
when the expandable material is expanded, it fills a portion of the
cavity around the circumference of the user. This expandable
"pouch" creates mechanical interference with the cavity surrounding
the user which in turn causes a seal to be created as pressure is
increased or decreased inside the chamber. A secondary seal may be
included between the cavity and the expandable material to enhance
the seal between these two parts. The expandable "pouch" then acts
as the "key". The expandable material can be disposed on either the
chamber or the user. An example of an expandable material
comprising expandable pouches residing on the user side of the seal
is illustrated above in FIG. 5D. In this embodiment, the
circumferential cavity resides around the perimeter of the opening
in the enclosure. The user inserts himself into the opening and
expands the material that is disposed around the perimeter of the
user seal until the expandable material (e.g. pouch or chamber)
fills a portion of the cavity, thus securing the user seal to the
chamber.
[0136] Rotating user seals, as discussed herein, may either be used
alone or along with other known sealing methods to create a
pressure seal that rotates, such as a flap seal a shown in FIG.
7J.
[0137] FIG. 7J illustrates a cross-sectional view of an adjustable
orifice rotational seal 780 in accordance with one embodiment. In
this particular embodiment, an outer wall ring 788 is built into,
or coupled with, a shell wall 782 of a differential air pressure
system, such as those described above with respect to FIG. 1 and
FIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment, a ring 786 slips inside a
U-shaped channel in the outer wall ring 788. In some variations,
the adjustable orifice rotational seal 780 further includes a flap
seal 784 on the underside and top of ring 786. In one embodiment,
under pressurization (either positive or negative) the flap seal
784 enables a sufficiently airtight seal of the adjustable orifice
rotational seal 780, but allows a user to rotate in the orifice,
when attached to the orifice by, for example, the inverted orifice
skirt of FIGS. 3 and 4A-4B.
[0138] As can be seen in the cross sectional view of FIG. 7J, when
the chamber sealed with the inner ring 786 is pressurized, the
pressure inside the chamber created by shell wall 782 will suck or
push the inner ring 786 against the surface of the outer wall ring
788 to form an airtight seal. Those of ordinary skills in the art
will recognize that there are other ways of creating a spinning
ring. In one embodiment, the inner ring 786 and outer ring 788 may
be made of a plastic, metal, or other sufficiently stiff material.
The flap seal 784 may be made of any rubber, fabric, or other
suitable sealing material.
[0139] Translational Orifice Sealing
[0140] Enabling translational movement of a user relative to a base
of a differential air pressure system may be desired in certain
circumstances. For example, by adding one or more translational
elements to a differential air pressure system, a user can
experience a wider range of movement options, which can make
differential air pressure technology more widely applicable and
potentially more useful. The goal of the differential air pressure
experience is to provide the unloading on the individual's body
weight while restricting natural body movement as little as
possible. Thus, allowing the user to translate along one or more
axes is a step toward more degrees of freedom and an overall more
natural experience during exercise. As used herein, a longitudinal
axis of a chamber is meant to refer to a user moving in a forward
or backward direction, relative to the user.
[0141] Translational motion in a differential air pressure system
may be accomplished in a variety of ways. Two broad categories can
be considered: discrete translation, and dynamic translation. A
discrete translation system refers to a variation in which the user
can change translational position, but halts exercise to change
position. A dynamic translation system refers to a variation in
which the user has the ability to adjust position "on the fly,"
i.e., without halting exercise. The methods of accomplishing
translation discussed below may be constructed in either a discrete
or dynamic configuration. Other methods of motion, such as
rotational motion, may be combined with translational motion to
enhance the users experience and freedom of natural body movement
as shown in FIG. 8.
[0142] FIG. 9A illustrates an example of a rail system to enable
translational motion in a differential air pressure system seal,
e.g. along a longitudinal axis of the chamber. Rails 902 may be
connected to one or more sides of the seal (user side or chamber
side). A material 906, which may be a stiff or soft material, is
disposed between the user's body (not shown) and the rail or rails
902. The material 906 may be attached to the user by friction,
belts, straps, or any other methods of attaching to a body
described herein or otherwise known. The material 906 may also be
attached to the rails in such a manner that the material is allowed
to translate along the length of the rail or rails. This
translation is allowed due to a sliding motion of a suitably low
friction interface between two surfaces, a rolling motion
accomplished with wheels or castors, or other known methods of
allowing materials to translate relative to one another. A flexible
and sufficiently airtight material 904 is disposed between the user
and each end of the rail 902 such that as the position of the
user's body changes relative to one end of the rail or rails, the
flexible material 904 expands on one side and contracts on the
other side to maintain a closed opening along the length of the
rail maintaining the air seal. As the user translates in a
direction, forward for example, the wheels or castors are forced in
that direction as well, thereby moving the seal. A seal may be
disposed along the perimeter of the movable opening between the
shell and all moving parts. Such a seal may be constructed of a
flap seal or other form of seal described herein or otherwise
known.
[0143] In one embodiment, the rail concept may be applied in more
than one direction simultaneously, where one rail system slides
within another rail system, e.g., like a laser cutting machine. For
this embodiment, the same principles described above for
maintaining a sufficiently air tight top surface during translation
apply. The translation motion may be induced by the user's body, or
assisted by a motor or other actuator, or a combination of manual
or assisted operation. For example, an assistive actuation system
may sense a user movement and react to assist the user in
translating the seal opening in that that direction at an
appropriate rate.
[0144] FIG. 9B illustrates telescoping members to enable
translational motion in a differential air pressure system seal,
e.g. along a longitudinal axis of the chamber. In one embodiment,
one or more telescoping members are fitted inside one another and
allowed to slide in and out, thereby allowing translational motion.
In one embodiment, the motion of the telescoping pieces or members
in a seal is assisted by including low friction materials, or by
using bearings, fluid bearings, magnetism, and/or lubrication to
assist in the telescoping motion. FIG. 9B illustrates telescoping
members 912 on one side of the user's body. Another set of
telescoping members 912 may be disposed on the opposite side of the
user's body. A center portion 918 is attached to the user's body
and one or more of the telescoping members 912, such that the
center portion 918 translates along with the telescoping members
912. A sufficiently airtight flexible material 914 can expand and
contract (e.g. a flexible material that can fold, or an elastic
material that can stretch) as the center portion translates, while
maintaining sufficient integrity in the seal. The telescoping
members may be combined in such a manner so as to enable
telescoping in multiple directions. In some variations, telescoping
motion, e.g. multi-directional telescoping motion may be assisted
by an actuation system 920 as described herein.
[0145] FIG. 9C illustrates another embodiment of a translational
seal 922 with overlapping materials or structures 924 and 926.
Other non-limiting examples of overlapping material geometries for
a seal are illustrated in FIGS. 7D, 9D, and 9E. In various
embodiments, these overlapping materials used to create a
translational seal can be formed into a variety of geometries to
allow for different ranges of motion. FIG. 9C illustrates one
embodiment of multiple overlapping plates 924 and 926. The plates
924 and 926 can have a rigid border and flexible center in some
variations, or may be fully rigid in other variations. In one
embodiment, the seal 922 may also include a flap or other sealing
method disposed on the overlapping edges of plates 924 and 926 to
maintain a sufficiently airtight seal under pressure and during
motion. In one embodiment, magnets or other attractive means may
additionally be used to keep the sliding portion and the chamber
close together, e.g. under low pressure conditions
[0146] Non-limiting examples of geometries for overlapping
materials or structures include rectangles, circles, ovals, etc.
FIG. 9E illustrates one embodiment of overlapping plates 902.sub.1
to 902.sub.N (which may or may not be circular as illustrated). The
overlapping plates 902.sub.1 to 902.sub.N may allow translational
motion in all directions simultaneously. A flap or other sealing
method may be disposed around the perimeter of the overlapping
plates 902.sub.1 to 902.sub.N to maintain pressure inside the
chamber during motion. In some variations, there may be one or more
stops or limits, or a track or a boundary to constrain the piece
attached to the user via a seal from traveling too far, thereby
creating a gap between the overlapping pieces. In another
embodiment, the position of the overlapping pieces, e.g. as
illustrated in FIG. 9E, may be reversed in conjunction with a
negative pressure chamber to create a seal under vacuum
conditions.
[0147] Any of these overlap methods to create a translational seal
can use bearings, fluid bearings, magnetism, or lubrication to
assist in either sealing or motion. Furthermore, overlapping
materials can be either stiff, flexible, or a combination of both.
For example, a translational seal can be formed using a deformable
angled shape, e.g. such as that shown and described above in
connection with FIG. 7H. The angled shape when not deformed may
resemble the contour of the inside of the shell and be of
sufficient size that when inserted into the shell there is
mechanical interference between the shell and the angled shape. The
angled shape may be made from or comprise any suitable material,
e.g. a flexible fabric such as neoprene, or may be a deformable
plastic or other flexible material. The angled shape may have a lip
around the base that may mate with a lip on the shell enclosure to
assist in locking the two pieces (the angled shape and the shell
enclosure) together when pressure is applied inside the chamber.
The material which forms the angled shape may form a seal by virtue
of its flexibility and airtight qualities, or there may be a flap
or other sealing mechanism disposed between the perimeter of the
angled shape and the shell of the enclosure. The center hole of the
angled shape may be configured to seal to the user's body by a
method described herein or otherwise known. Deformation of the
angled shape can allow for easy and simple access to coupling the
user's body to the enclosure, which can speed time to exercise and
facilitate de-coupling from the chamber, e.g. in an emergency.
Magnets or other means of attracting or coupling the angled shape
to the shell may be used to assist in creating a seal under low
pressure operation. Such systems may be configured to allow for
rotation between two substantially low friction surfaces or
translation achieved by the same means.
[0148] FIG. 9F illustrates another embodiment of a translational
seal that utilizes a folded material resembling a bellows. In the
example illustrated in FIG. 9F, two separate bellows 932 are
disposed on either side of the user's body and connected by a
center portion 938 into which a user (not shown) may be inserted
and an airtight seal created via, for example a skirt, or other
seal described herein or otherwise known. A rail system, similar to
that discussed herein, is disposed along the length of the opening,
and the bellows 932 and center portion 938 translate along the rail
system as the user translates during motion. As the user
translates, one bellows contracts 934 as the other expands 936,
thereby maintaining full coverage of the opening during motion and
maintaining a sufficiently airtight seal around the perimeter. One
or more sections may be used in the bellows. As more sections are
used, the material may become lower in height as each portion has a
shorter distance to cover, thus becoming less obstructive to a
user. In one embodiment, a sealing method such as a flap seal or
other known sealing method may be disposed along the perimeter of
the rails to maintain a sufficiently airtight environment inside
the chamber.
[0149] Translational motion may occur in one or multiple planes in
various embodiments of a differential air pressure system. This may
be advantageous in an air pressure chamber where exercises are to
be performed required significant vertical movement such as
jumping, squats, assisted pull-ups or dips. One way to allow
vertical translation is to use extra material to create a flexible
rolling diaphragm, sometimes seen in piston/cylinder
configurations. One embodiment of a user seal 940 enabling vertical
translation is illustrated in the section view shown in FIG. 9G. A
flexible flap 942 is extruded around the perimeter of the piston or
user's body to create a rolling diaphragm around the perimeter of
the user. As the user's body translates up or down, the flexible
material unrolls to allow for movement and rolls back to opposite
direction when the user's body switches direction. The outer
opening of the shell may be preset or adjustable by any means
described herein or otherwise known. By restricting the outer
dimensions of the opening, the force from the pressure on the
rolling diaphragm is minimized because there is a very low surface
area to act upon and the stiffness of the material of the diaphragm
may hold the diaphragm from expanding and forming a large balloon
inside or outside the chamber depending whether positive or
negative pressure is applied inside the chamber. The diaphragm may
be attachable to the user by any means described herein or
otherwise known. In one embodiment, this configuration allows for
vertical translation with respect to the chamber.
[0150] In one embodiment, these translational seals and related
methods can be used alone or along with other seal features or
sealing methods as described herein or otherwise known to create a
pressure seal that translates. Examples of secondary seals are flap
seals. Furthermore, these translational seals and methods utilizing
the translational seals may be used alone or in conjunction with
any of the other concepts described herein.
[0151] Secure Anchoring Seal
[0152] As described herein, the effectiveness of differential air
pressure technology, which involves a user in a pressure chamber,
is partially dependant on how the user is able to seal in the
pressure chamber. The ability of the user to get in and out of the
chamber also can determine how positive the user experience is.
[0153] In one embodiment, a user may be connected to a pressurized
chamber by using adhesives. Application of the adhesive to the user
or to a piece of clothing on the user would allow a seal to be
created simply. One or more layers of tape could be used to attach
a person to the chamber opening, creating a quick seal. Solvent
based glues that dry are also possibilities to attach a user to the
chamber.
[0154] In one embodiment, the pleated, or zipper, inverted skirt of
FIGS. 4A and 4B are utilized to enable a user to quickly size the
seal around them. The inverted skirt can in some variations be
constructed from a stiff but deformable material, a flexible
deformable material, or a combination of a stiff but deformable
material and a flexible deformable material. The flexible
deformable material allows parts of the skirt to be folded when
necessary. These folds can cause the inverted skirt to attach and
seal to the body. By attaching zippers or other closing mechanisms
that allow the folding or unfolding of the inverted skirt, a user
can choose what parts of the skirt need to be tightened and which
do not. Additionally, in some variations, a high friction material
or an adhesive (e.g. a spray-on adhesive or tape) may be disposed
on the inner surface of the inverted skirt to increase grip on the
user and to help prevent the user seal from separating from the
user's body under pressure.
[0155] An aspect of many sealing methods the contact the body only
around the user's waist is that they may "blow out" when under
higher pressures or ride up on the user's body during movement. The
seal deforms, or reverses, to a form where it can no longer hold
pressure. One way of countering this problem is to seal a user to
the chamber with vertically overlapping surfaces that attract one
another. This allows a user to drop into the opening, but then
would be sealed to the chamber.
[0156] A user seal that resists "blow out" as described above can
be accomplished by any suitable method, including the use of high
friction or "sticky" surfaces, Velcro.TM. type closures, material
interactions that take advantage of van der Waals type forces, or
magnetism to adhere a portion of the seal to the user, to the
user's clothing, or to another portion of the seal, or to a portion
of the chamber. Two surfaces can interact on their own to create a
user seal, or they could be assisted. For example, a drawstring or
other band may be used to pull together two high friction materials
to secure the user into a differential air pressure system. A
drawstring can restrict the outer diameter of the opening through
which the inverted skirt would need to blow out and if tightened
against the user's body there will be no space for the inversion to
occur. Other methods beside a drawstring could be used to help the
mechanical interference such as a rod or other keyway to lock the
top of each seal material to each other so that the "sticky"
surfaces do not also have to withstand the vertical force, which is
the force that causes a "blow out" scenario.
[0157] FIG. 10A illustrates one embodiment of a sealing mechanism
for a differential air pressure system where a sealing flap 1001 is
attached to the chamber and comes in contact with a mating flap
1002 attached to the user, and the mating is assisted and vertical
force constrained by use of a drawstring 1003. (For example, FIG.
5B illustrates one embodiment of a laced seal attachment). In
certain variations, the drawstring 1003 helps ensure the integrity
of a multi-layer user seal, by preventing sealing materials from
peeling away from one another.
[0158] In one embodiment, a folding pattern (e.g., like a diaper)
is also a way to anchor a user to the pressure chamber. FIG. 10B
and FIG. 10C illustrate embodiments of a folded material sealing
mechanism for a differential air pressure system. By making a
series of cuts in a body friendly pattern 1020 as illustrated in
FIG. 10B or in an alternate body friendly pattern 1030 as
illustrated in FIG. 10C, users having a range of body sizes and
shapes can seal themselves into a pressurized chamber. The body
friendly pattern can be wrapped around the user and secured using
any suitable sealing technique or attachment means, e.g. tape,
adhesive, clips, Velcro.TM. type closures, snaps, buttons, or any
other suitable attachment means. The top surface 1022 of the body
friendly pattern 1020 and 1030, which when wrapped surrounds the
user's body at approximately the waist level, attaches to the
pressure chamber via a method or structure discussed herein or
otherwise known.
Adjustable Height and Support Bars for a Differential Air Pressure
System
[0159] In a differential air pressure system, it is desirable that
the system accommodate as wide a range of users as possible. One of
the most challenging aspects to this accommodation is to adjust the
height of the opening that surrounds the waist of the individual in
an efficient, effective, and user friendly manner while maintaining
the structural integrity of the shell under the load resulting from
pressurization of the chamber. A chamber that has a fixed height
may only be operable over a narrow range of users. If the shell is
optimized to reside at the iliac crest of a 6'4'' user by example,
a 5'0'' user will have the opening above the stomach and not be
able to use the apparatus effectively.
[0160] For a comfortable user experience the height adjustment
process should be simple, quick and intuitive to perform and must
allow adjustment over a wide range of heights. Further, the
mechanism should be easy to operate and require little force to
adjust, so it may be operated by elderly or weak individuals.
[0161] It is a further benefit if the height adjustment scheme
provides for support of the user in the event that there is a
depressurization or over pressurization. Having a fabric inflatable
with straps anchored to a base or the floor can be an efficient
means of maintaining a height of the chamber, but may in some
variations provide insufficient safety should the fabric rip or a
strap break, or the chamber bag rip and the user fall, for
example.
[0162] FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of a differential air
pressure system 1100, such as those discussed above in connection
with FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. In this particular variation, the
differential air pressure system 1100 includes a support bar 1104.
In one embodiment, the height of opening 1106 may be adjusted and
provide user 1102 with support in the event he trips, falls, or in
the event that a sudden deflation of system 1100 occurs. In one
embodiment, height adjustment and support are accomplished via
separate mechanisms. Both aspects, support and height adjustment,
are beneficial for a product that is safe, e.g. to prevent falling,
and effective for users of a variety of heights.
[0163] The support bar 1104 and height adjustment 1110 in system
1100 represents one embodiment of a system that incorporates both a
support and height adjustment features into a single mechanism or
system. However, other embodiments of differential air pressure
systems could include only one of these features. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 11, for example, a comfortable, safe, highly
adjustable, and highly adaptable system is provided.
[0164] In some variations, a locking mechanism, such as a locking
bar 1108 and height adjustment bar 1110 enable the adjustment of
the angle of the support bar 1104, which is important in some
circumstances, e.g. when system 1100 is configured to have user
1102 running at an incline. In systems that do not have an
adjustable angle in a support bar, when a user runs at a steep
incline, the user may collide with the edges of the orifice. A tall
person may have the same issue regardless of incline. Thus, the
adjustability of support bar's 1104 height and angle, relative to
differential air pressure system, increases the range of users who
can successfully use the system types and also increases the scope
of uses of the system.
[0165] In one embodiment, safety bar 1104 locks into locking bar
1108 at an angle to which the safety bar has been adjusted. The
locking mechanism of locking bar 1108 ensures that if user 1102
were to stumble or fall, the user 1102 would be able to safely
support themselves on support bar 1104.
[0166] FIG. 12 provides a perspective view diagram of one
embodiment of a height adjustable support bar 1104 of a
differential air pressure system, such as bar 1104 of FIG. 11. The
height adjustment bar 1104 can be moved around freely by the user,
and may be free floating or attached to a framing structure while
remaining adjustable. In one embodiment, adjustable support bar
1104 is attached to a differential air pressure system bag through
sleeves 1112 of bag 1100 as shown in FIG. 11. The configuration of
the bar 1104 in FIG. 11, where the bar 1104 is detached from other
structure components in the system 1100, allows for freedom of
adjustment of the bar 1104 not only in the vertical position, but
also in a tilt orientation.
[0167] In some variations, adjustment of the height of support bar
1104 in system 1100 is performed by configuring support bar 1104 at
some tilt angle into height adjustment slots 1110. In one
embodiment, there are multiple height adjustments slots (e.g. 2, 3,
4, 5, 6, or even more) 1110 constructed of material sufficiently
strong so that should user 1102 fall and lean on safety bar 1104,
height adjustment slots 1110 will not bend or break and can support
the full body weight of the user, at least for a short period of
time.
[0168] FIG. 13 is a side view diagram of one embodiment of a
support bar 1104 of a differential air pressure system. As
illustrated in FIG. 13, support bar 1104 is contoured to
accommodate user 1102 sprinting, running, jogging, or walking in
the differential air pressure system 1100. In one embodiment, the
contour of the support bar 1104 is similar to the contour of a
saddle. As shown in FIG. 13, support bar 1104 dips low at or near
the user's 1102 hips so as to accommodate the user's arm swing, but
is raised sufficiently high in the front and rear to accommodate
leg kick and high knee action.
[0169] FIG. 14 is a top view diagram of one embodiment of a support
bar 1104 of a differential air pressure system. In one embodiment,
the perimeter shape of the support bar 1104 controls the perimeter
shape of the shell of the differential air pressure system that the
user fits into (e.g., a hard or soft shell). In some embodiments,
the shape of the support bar 1104 is configured to control that of
the shell in addition to any one of the other functions of the
support bar as described herein. In an embodiment utilizing a hard
shell instead of a soft shell (e.g. a fabric shell), the top
portion of the hard shell that is closest to interface to the user
may have a similar shape to a saddle for the reasons described
above.
[0170] In one embodiment, support bar 1104 becomes fixed in place
while under use in system 1100. Support bar 1104 is fixed in place
via locking bar 1108. In some variations, locking bar 1108 swings
down and locks in place once support bar 1104 has been set in a
position. In certain variations, an automatic latching mechanism
may be utilized. However, as illustrated in FIG. 11, support bar
1104 may be placed into a position on locking bar 1108 such that
closing a latching mechanism of the locking bar 1108 secures
support bar 1104 in place. In some variations, the support bar 1104
is latched to a front portion of a frame of the differential air
pressure device 1100. The latch however still may be configured to
allow the support bar 1104 to rotate about an axis even while
latched.
[0171] FIG. 15A is a diagram of a variation of a latching mechanism
to secure a support bar 1104 in a differential air pressure system
1100. As indicated by the arrow in FIG. 15A, the latching mechanism
may be transitioned from an open position 1500 to a closed position
1502 to secure support bar 1104 in place in a differential air
pressure system 1100.
[0172] FIG. 15B is a diagram of another variation of a latching
mechanism to secure a support bar 1104 in a differential air
pressure system 1100. In the variation illustrated in FIG. 15B, the
latching mechanism includes one or more loaded cams 1512A, e.g. an
array of loaded cams 1512A, with each loaded cam corresponding to a
selectable position for support bar 1104. As illustrated, the bar
1104 is locked into position when spring loaded cams are in
position 1512B.
[0173] FIG. 16 is a perspective view diagram of a support bar 1104
coupled to a differential air pressure system 1100.
[0174] Another example of a height adjustable structure 1700 for a
differential air pressure system is illustrated in FIG. 17. There,
the structure 1700 comprises a series of horizontal slots
1704.sub.1 . . . N in the front and in the rear of the system. As
illustrated, a support bar 1702 extends between the horizontal
slots in the front and rear of the system. In one embodiment, the
support bar 1702 is affixed to the shell (e.g. a fabric shell) just
below the opening in the shell, thus lifting the shell opening to
an appropriate height that the user selects. This adjustment scheme
allows the user to easily and conveniently attach himself to the
shell (e.g. fabric shell) for pressurization. The bar 1702 allows
for varying angles, should the user want to exercise at inclines or
declines in the apparatus. The bar may be locked into place in the
horizontal slots, or alternatively the slots may be formed such
that the bar is locked into place under pressure and loose
otherwise.
[0175] In some variations, the bar may be inserted into a slot and
pushed to the rear of the slot, as illustrated in FIG. 18A. As the
pressure inflates, the bar 1802 is lifted into a notch or groove
1804 with a portion 1806 to hook the bar and prevent the bar from
moving under for/aft loading, as illustrated in FIG. 18B. Upon a
reduction of pressure in the chamber the bar may fall back down
1808 and be pulled out by the user, as illustrated in FIG. 18C.
Such notch designs as illustrated in FIGS. 18A-18C may be
advantageous by requiring few user actions while maintaining a safe
lock during use. Alternate variations of slot designs, such as 1810
and 1812, are shown in FIG. 18D. An additional function of a notch
design as illustrated in FIGS. 18A-18D may be that the bar 1802 is
capable of at least temporarily supporting the user in the event of
an unexpected or sudden depressurization or in the event the user
trips or falls. This safety feature may be important for frail
users such as elderly patients or users with neuromuscular
disorders. As there is a vertical load on the bar, the bar is
forced into place and a horizontal force will not be able to
dislodge the bar. The number of slots and distance between height
adjustment slots as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18 can determine
the range of height adjustability and the range of users that the
system can accommodate. In certain variations, the height
adjustment slots may be marked in some fashion. Such markings may
include inscribing the a user height to a horizontal slot position,
or simply a numbering scheme 1, 2, 3, etc. to indicate an arbitrary
setting instead of an absolute height value, such as 5'0, 5'4'',
5'6'', etc.
[0176] In some variations, the height adjustment slots may include
a bump, protrusion, or other mechanical barrier, e.g. as
illustrated in FIG. 18D, such that the bar must be pushed past that
protrusion or barrier to lock the bar into place, and/or there may
be a second locking rod or bar that is put in place after insertion
of the height adjustment bar into the slots. In one example, the
bar is wedged past the bump or barrier using the elastic properties
of a latch to spring open and lock the bar into place in a groove,
e.g. similar to a gate locking mechanism.
[0177] In the systems described herein, the safety bar and their
support mechanisms and locking mechanisms are capable of
withstanding high vertical force to support both the large force
due to pressure and a dynamic load should the user fall on the
height adjustment bar and use it for support. For reference, the
vertical load may be approximated by the surface area of the bag on
the bar multiplied by the pressure in the chamber. An estimate is
24''.times.36''.times.2 lb/sqin=.about.1700 lbs of vertical load
due to pressure.
[0178] Additional embodiments of a height adjustment in a
differential air pressure system are illustrated in FIGS. 19A and
19B. There, a differential air pressure system 1900 includes an
inflatable skeleton 1902 for a fabric shell. This skeleton 1902 can
comprise a plurality of connected inflatable tubes sewn or
otherwise attached on the inside or the outside of the chamber
1906. The chamber 1906, when inflated, forms a semi stiff structure
that pulls the enclosure fabric to a shape close to what it will
adopt when under pressure. When the skeleton 1902 is inflated, the
opening for the user will be at a vertical height at which a user
can attach the user seal, as discussed herein, to the chamber and
prepare for pressurization of the entire chamber in addition to the
skeleton. The inflated skeleton shape may also provide some
additional supporting force should the main fabric shell rip or
tear and depressurize. The vertical height limit of the enclosure
may be adjusted either with a rigid bar that fixes to an external
frame, which would provide a supporting structure, or it may be
limited by adjustably strapping the top of the enclosure and
skeleton to the base of the apparatus or some other location on or
outside the chamber that will put the strap in tension. In one
embodiment, the pressure in the skeleton 1902 and the pressure for
the main enclosure 1904 are provided with two separate pressure
sources 1908.
[0179] In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 19B, a single
pressure source 1924 may be used to inflate both the skeleton 1922
and the chamber 1926 by having a valve 1928 (e.g. a gate valve)
that is configured to route air to the skeleton 1922 prior to
routing air to the main chamber 1926. In some variations, once a
desired pressure is reached in the skeleton 1922, the valve 1928
can allow for airflow into the chamber 1926. In one embodiment, the
switch in routing air pressure may be controlled by a sensor (not
shown) that sends a signal to a controller when the pressure in the
skeleton is sufficient. In another embodiment, the switching of the
air pressure supply from the skeleton 1922 to the chamber 1926 may
be accomplished by waiting a minimum time for inflation of the
skeleton before diverting air into the chamber. In any variation,
the switch to divert flow from the skeleton to the main chamber may
be activated automatically (e.g. after the desired pressure in the
skeleton has been reached or after a minimum wait time has passed),
or manually by a user-activated switch, or by any suitable
switching scheme.
[0180] FIG. 20A illustrates an embodiment of an inflatable skeleton
supported fabric shell for a differential air pressure system. In
this particular variation, the inflatable skeleton 2002 may be sewn
on the inside of the fabric shell 2004 and may be constructed of a
slightly porous material that bleeds air into the interior of the
chamber once a certain pressure has built up inside the fabric
skeleton.
[0181] In different embodiments, illustrated in FIGS. 20B and 20C,
the inflatable skeleton may be sewn out of air tight material and
disposed either on the inside of the chamber, as illustrated in
FIG. 20B, or the outside of the chamber, as illustrated in FIG.
20C, of the fabric enclosures 2020 and 2030, respectively. In some
variations, one or more holes are made to connect an air circuit
from the skeleton to the interior of the chamber so that once
pressure is built up to a desired level in the inflatable skeleton,
the air passes to the interior of the chamber during user
operation. This method does not require a valve (e.g. a gate valve)
to route air from the skeleton to the chamber.
[0182] FIG. 21 illustrates an embodiment of a height adjustable
opening in a differential air pressure system shell. There, for the
system variation 2100, height of the opening for the user is
adjusted via a rigid height adjustment structure 2102 that
translates up and down on one or more guide posts similar to
traditional weight lifting equipment. For example, the structure
could slide, roll, move on a rack and pinion gear, or translate by
other methods described herein, or otherwise known. In certain
instances, the height adjustment structure may be cantilevered off
a single guide post that is placed in proximity to the chamber, or
may ride up and down several guide posts. In some variations, the
height adjustment structure 2102 may be locked into position once
the desired position is reached. Such locking may be accomplished
by a pin, magnet, clamp, or other locking mechanism described
herein or otherwise known. One example of a single cantilevered
structure is shown in FIG. 24D and one example of a multiple guide
post system is shown in FIG. 24C.
[0183] An example of a height adjustment bar which translates up
and down multiple guide posts is shown in FIG. 22. There, system
2200 includes a height adjustment bar 2201 that is configured to
translate up and down guide posts 2202. One desired height is
achieved, height adjustment bar 2201 is locked and coupled to guide
posts 2202. Optionally, height adjustment bar 2201 may be
counterbalanced so the lifting force is minimized for users that
may be frail or weak and unable to lift a heavy object. Optionally,
height adjustment bar 2201 may be motorized to move up and down
guideposts 2202. In certain variations, any suitable locking
mechanism such as pins, pinion gears that engage racks, etc. may be
used to maintain a desired height adjusted position.
[0184] In some variations of differential air pressure systems, the
enclosure may be coupled to a height adjustment structure so that
adjustment of the height adjustment structure simultaneously
adjusts the height of the enclosure or vice versa. The height of
the height adjustment structure may be adjustable by any of the
methods described herein or otherwise known. FIG. 23A illustrates
one embodiment of a system in which the enclosure is coupled to the
height adjustment structure, e.g. where the height adjustment
structure is sewn into sleeves of the enclosure. In other
variations, the enclosure may be coupled to the height adjustment
structure using another suitable technique, e.g. adhesive, clamps,
fasteners, and the like.
[0185] In another embodiment, the height adjustment structure may
be separable from the enclosure so that the user may adjust the
height of the height adjustment structure first and then attach the
enclosure to the structure. FIG. 23B illustrates one embodiment in
which a height adjustment structure is coupled to an enclosure via
one or more reversible attachments, e.g. hooks, snaps, Velcro.TM.
type closure straps, clamps, and the like, after the user has
adjusted the height.
[0186] In one embodiment, to reduce the lifting force required to
raise the height adjustment structure, and possibly the fabric
enclosure as well if the enclosure is coupled to the height
adjustment structure, the height adjustment structure may be
counter balanced with weights or electro-mechanically lifted, for
example by a motor, motor and belt system, etc. Other lifting
systems may include lead screws, hoists, winches, hand cranks,
scissor lift (manual or automated), hydraulics, or other means of
mechanical or electromechanical advantage to reduce or eliminate
the force required to lift the structure by the user. FIG. 24A
illustrates one embodiment of a motorized height adjustment
structure 2400, which includes a belt driven by a motor 2402, where
the belt drives a height adjustment bar 2404 up and down a guide
post 2406.
[0187] FIG. 24B illustrates one embodiment of a height adjustment
mechanism, for use with a differential air pressure system, that
utilizes a lead screw system.
[0188] FIG. 24C illustrates one embodiment of a height adjustment
mechanism, for use with a differential air pressure system, that
utilizes a counter balanced two guide post system.
[0189] Any of the height adjustment systems and lifting systems as
described herein may further include a locking mechanism to secure
the position of the height adjustment structure once the desired
height is set. Such locking may be done with pins or other
mechanical interference, worm gears or lead screws or other
non-back-drivable gearing, strong electro magnets, straps to a
portion of the main system structure, or use of friction as in a
cantilevered system. Other means of mechanical locking are
considered within the scope of this invention.
[0190] FIG. 24D illustrates an embodiment of a height adjustment
mechanism, for use with a differential air pressure system that
utilizes a cantilevered lifting system which uses friction to lock
a height. In the illustrated embodiment, the center of mass 2422 of
the height adjustment structure 2400 is to the left of the guide
post 2424. The force of gravity exerts a downward force at the
center of mass 2422 of the height adjustment structure 2420. This
downward force creates a moment about the guide post 2424 which
tries to rotate the structure counterclockwise. This moment
produces normal forces between the points of contact of the
structure with the guide post and the surface of the guide post.
These normal forces produce a frictional force between the surface
of the guide post 2424 and the contacting member 2426. The higher
the moment, the higher the normal force, and the larger the
resistance the structure has to overcome to translate vertically
along the guide post. As long as the frictional force between the
guide post and the contacting member is greater than other net
external forces, such as the force due to gravity on the height
adjustment structure, the height adjustment structure will not
undergo displacement along the guide post.
[0191] Another system and related method for adjusting the height
of an opening in a chamber for receiving the body of a user may
include the use of a combination of one or more hard portions of a
shell and one or more soft or flexible portions of the shell. In
such system variations, the soft portion of the shell may expand or
be compressed to allow for the vertical adjustment. The soft
portion of the enclosure may reside at any point along the vertical
direction of the hard shell, and may even divide the hard shell
into two or more portions. FIG. 25A illustrates one embodiment of a
height adjustable structure 2500 that includes a soft shell portion
2502 located below a hard shell portion 2504. Soft shell portion
2502 may be collapsed or expanded to give height adjustment to the
upper hard shell portion 2504. Such a method may be used in
conjunction with a locking mechanism such as a pin joint, clamp, or
straps, or other locking device or method described herein or
otherwise known.
[0192] FIG. 25B illustrates one embodiment of a height adjustable
structure 2510 that includes a plurality of soft shells portions,
such as soft shell portions 2512.sub.1 to 2512.sub.N, located in
vertical arrangement below a hard shell portion 2514. In one
embodiment, soft shells portions 2512.sub.1 to 2512.sub.N may be
selectively inflated, or inflated at varying pressures, to lift the
hard shell to different heights.
[0193] If a differential air pressure system comprises a hybrid
shell comprising one or more soft portions and one or more hard or
rigid portions, the hard shell portion may be movable by automation
or by the user lifting the shell. In one embodiment, the hard shell
portion may be counter balanced to allow for easier lifting by the
user. The position of the hard shell portion may further be
lockable in place once the proper height is achieved. Any means of
lifting or locking as described herein or otherwise known may be
implemented with a hard shell portion as well. The height of the
hard shell portion may remain locked during use such that as
pressure varies the shell remains fixed vertically.
[0194] FIG. 25C illustrates another embodiment of a soft shell
portion on top of a hard shell portion in a differential air
pressure system. An upper soft shell portion 2522 may be considered
advantageous in situations where a greater contouring ability about
the user is desired. The soft shell portion 2522 may be either
separable or split in one or more sections, for example, with a
zipper, to allow the user simple access through the opening. Should
the soft shell portion 2522 be separable from the chamber 2524, the
soft shell portion 2522 may be coupled to the user, such as through
a user seal, thereby essentially becoming an extension of the user
seal outside the chamber, and then sealed to the chamber once the
user is in position via a method described herein or otherwise
known. Such a separable soft shell portion may for example be a
kayak-style cinch to a lip on the chamber, a clamping bar secured
to the enclosure around the perimeter of the upper soft shell top,
or other means of clamping the soft shell to the chamber described
herein or otherwise known. Further height adjustment or soft shell
contouring, as discussed below, may then be performed, for example,
using one or more straps that secure the softer upper shell portion
to the lower hard shell portion and may be adjustable. Additional
configurations and variations of shells including one or more hard
shell portions and one or more soft shell portions are discussed in
greater detail below.
[0195] FIG. 25D illustrates one embodiment of a height adjustable
structure 2530 that includes a plurality of inflatable rings
stacked on top of one another. In one embodiment, to adjust the
height of the structure 2530, one or more of the rings 2532.sub.1
to 2532.sub.N are filled with a substance (such as air, other gas,
or liquid) and others of the rings 2532.sub.1 to 2532.sub.N are
left empty, so that as rings are inflated the height of the chamber
is incrementally increased. In some variations, the user may
control which rings are inflated by either selecting an initial
height and a controller (not shown) controls one or more valves to
inflate the appropriate ring or rings. In another embodiment, the
user may have the ability to choose one or more rings to inflate.
Other methods for inflating rings may be used, e.g. by specifying a
sequence with which to inflate rings, by specifying pressures to
which certain rings are inflated, and the like.
[0196] FIG. 26A illustrates one embodiment of an adjustable height
chamber 2602 in a differential air pressure system 2600. In this
particular embodiment, the height of the chamber 2602 is adjustable
via adjustable bars 2604 that can translate up and down relative to
a user. In one embodiment, the bars 2604 may be locked at various
points in the vertical direction. The bars 2604 may be attached to
a soft shell enclosure, or the enclosure may be attached to the
bars 2604 after the heights of the bars are adjusted. The
adjustable bars 2604 may be connected into a ring or other geometry
that creates a loop, e.g., parallel to the floor, and around the
user's body, so that the adjustable bars are lockable and fixed in
a looped configuration under pressure, as it is not a requirement
that the adjustable bars 2604 be oriented in a vertical geometry.
In one embodiment, the adjustable bars may be hinged or pivoted at
point 2606 near the base of system 2600 so that the adjustable bars
2604 may be angled inward in addition to translating along an axis,
to provide an additional important degree of freedom for chamber
width adjustment and shell contour. The combination of angle
adjustment or vertical adjustment allows for a wide range of
positions for height and width of the bar.
[0197] FIG. 26B illustrates an embodiment of a differential air
pressure system that includes a locking mechanism. In this
particular embodiment, the differential air pressure system
structure 2650 may be locked in place once a desired geometry has
been achieved (e.g., a specific height has been reached by
adjustable vertical bars 2654). The locking mechanism may include
one or more clamps, pins, magnets, or other means of locking
described herein or otherwise known. For convenience, the locking
mechanism may include a simple handbrake style adjustment 2652
where the user depresses a button or squeezes a lever to releases
all pins or other locking mechanisms, and when the user releases
the button or lever, the locking mechanisms are re-engaged and the
structure holds it shape. In other variations, other locking
mechanism may be utilized to secure a position of the differential
air pressure system structure, and the illustrated handbrake does
not limit the types of locking means. A locking mechanism makes it
convenient for a user to operate a lever located on the rail or
rails 2656 of the structure 2650, pull the rails to a convenient
position, and release the lever. This type of height adjustment may
allow for off-center structure positions to be obtained, which may
potentially assist some users to combat abnormal gait mechanics in
some configurations. Optionally, a locking or joining bar may be
provided to transversely join two opposing sides of the structure
(e.g. if such transverse bars are not already in place and
connected as described herein). The incorporation of a transverse
locking bar could serve as a gate mechanism that the user would
swing shut and secure after entering and adjusting the side
bars.
[0198] FIG. 27 illustrates one embodiment of a user seal attachment
2702 for a differential air pressure system enclosure 2706. A
difficulty in attaching a user to an enclosure is that the weight
of an enclosure may make it difficult to simultaneously hold the
enclosure near a user's body and attach the user to the enclosure.
Thus, it may be useful to have one hands-free joining mechanism for
connecting user 2704 to the chamber 2706 and creating an airtight
seal until the air pressure within the chamber can support the
weight of the enclosure. In one embodiment, raising the opening of
the enclosure up to user level and maintaining enclosure height
during inflation may be accomplished by providing magnets with
which to attach the user seal to the enclosure. The user may wear a
magnetic belt (not shown), or wear a special pair of flanged shorts
comprising magnets 2702. In addition, magnets may be provided on
the enclosure (e.g. fabric enclosure) so that a seal is created by
magnetic attraction so that inflation of the chamber can support
the enclosure. Height may be restricted with a system of straps
anchored to the base or other structure as one example.
[0199] In another embodiment, a snapping mechanism worn by the user
may be activated when a portion of the user seal is mated with a
matching portion of the enclosure. An example of this concept is a
ring around the user that fits in a concentric manner with a ring
on the enclosure, and a latch (e.g. a rotating latch) positioned on
either the user seal or the enclosure piece, such that the user may
pick up the enclosure and fit the portion of the user seal inside
the portion on the enclosure and activate the latch with their hand
to secure the two pieces together. Other locking mechanisms may
also be utilized in a differential air pressure system.
[0200] Another method of adjusting the height may be a linkage
system comprising one or more translating or rotating members that
may be locked to form the upper surface of the height adjustment
structure and maintain shape under pressure. FIG. 28 illustrates
one embodiment of a linkage system and related method for height
adjustment via two vertical members. There, a linkage system for
height adjustment 2800 comprises two vertical supports 2810 and
2812, one positioned in the front of the apparatus and one
positioned in the rear of the apparatus. The linkage system 2800
may comprise a pair of central bars 2814 positioned along the
user's sides, with two connecting bars 2802A connecting each
central bar 2814 to the front vertical support 2810 and the back
vertical support 2812. In one embodiment, these connecting bars
2802A may be telescoping. As the connecting bars 2802A are
telescoped so as to be lengthened or shortened (for example to
position 2802B indicated by a dashed line), the central bars 2814
may move up and down, and even forward and backward in some
instances. The linkage system 2800 may be lockable and have a
button or lever mechanism 2804 which allows for free movement of
the apparatus, and when released locks the linkage in place. In one
embodiment, the geometry of the structure, and more specifically
the central bar 2814, may be configured such that the shape of the
linkage system 2800 promotes freedom of arm movement or minimal
impact with the user's body.
[0201] Another embodiment of a linkage system is shown in FIG. 29.
The system shows a linkage system 2900 comprising four bars 2902
that create a central portion 2904 into which the user fits. The
linkage system 2900 is configured to move up and down vertically
while maintaining an orientation that is generally parallel to the
ground. Such a system may be advantageous in some cases because it
does not require telescoping bars or joints.
[0202] As has been discussed herein, straps can be used to adjust
the vertical position of the chamber opening that attaches to the
user. Ropes or cables may also be used to restrict the vertical
position of the opening. Such a system with ropes or straps may be
individually adjustable or may be connected via pulleys and routing
so that a single cable, strap, or rope may be pulled to evenly
adjust all cables or straps simultaneously to maintain a level top
surface. The position of this adjustment may be locking with a
knot, cable grip, cam lock, or the like. Many such locking
mechanisms are seen in yachting or boating. If a vertical height
adjustment system for a chamber does not itself provide a user
support in the event of a tear in the enclosure or pressure
failure, in some variations, a secondary vertical support system,
e.g. similar to a harness, may be provided for the user.
[0203] It may be advantageous in some situations to have a hard
shell to promote ease of access, for example by not having to step
over fabric folds or the like. Hard shell differential air pressure
system also can allow for height adjustment to accommodate users of
varying statures. Furthermore, it may be advantageous to maintain
the structural integrity of the hard shell, and instead to raise
the height of the floor, exercise platform treadmill, or other
exercise apparatus instead of changing the height of the opening on
the shell itself. In those variations, the shell could be built to
the largest desired size and smaller users would be raised up to
meet the upper surface of the shell.
[0204] FIGS. 30A-30C illustrate a height adjustable treadmill in a
hard shell differential air pressure system, however, any exercise
device (e.g., a stepper, elliptical, bicycle, rowing device, etc.),
may be utilized. Furthermore, even height adjustable simple
platforms, balance platforms or small stepper machines may be used
in a hard shell system. FIG. 30A illustrates one embodiment of a
lift mechanism 3000 that comprises a lift and pivot mechanism. In
this particular embodiment, the lifting operation is performed in
the center of the treadmill with, for example two lead screws or
linear actuators, which adjust the vertical height. Incline (i.e.,
adjustment between orientations 3004.sub.1 to 3004.sub.N of
treadmill 3008) may be performed by a pivot motor which rotates the
treadmill to incline or decline and has a brake, either mechanical
or electromechanical.
[0205] FIG. 30B illustrates another embodiment of a lift mechanism
3010 for a differential air pressure system. There, lift mechanism
3010 comprises two linear actuators, 3012A and 3012B. The treadmill
3014 (or other exercise machine or platform) is connected to a
scissor lift style mechanism 3016. Controlling the length of the
two actuators, 3012A and 3012B, will control the tilt and height of
the treadmill 3014 surface. In one embodiment, the actuators may be
controlled such that the treadmill is angled or vertically
displaced without angle depending on the height of the user. In one
embodiment, the user may input their height in a controller and the
controller may adjust the control algorithm around this specific
starting height. The actuators may be connected at pinned or ball
joints to provide for rotation as they extend their length and move
one portion of the structure relative to the other. This system can
provide simplicity, can require less precision, and utilizes
minimal framing and actuators.
[0206] FIG. 30C illustrates another embodiment of a lift mechanism
3020 for a differential air pressure system. In the embodiment of
FIG. 30C, lift mechanism 3020 includes four lead screw or linear
actuators 3022, where each screw or actuator is attached to a
corner of the treadmill 3024 (or other exercise machine or exercise
platform). In another embodiment, the screws or actuators are
attached to a floor (not shown). In some variations, the lead
screws or actuators 3022 may be controlled simultaneously or
independently to create any manner of tilt, forward/backward,
left/right, and height of the treadmill. Variable adjustment
enables user performance of many different exercises with an angled
surface. In one embodiment, where side tilting is to be performed,
a spherical joint can be provided on each corner.
[0207] Another embodiment (not shown) of lifting a treadmill or
other exercise machine may comprise placing one air bags under each
of the front and the rear of the treadmill (or other exercise
machine or exercise platform), and controlling the pressure inside
each air bag. Air used to pressurize the air bags may even be
routed into the chamber after it goes through the air bags. Air
bags may be constrained or made like a bellows so that inflation
causes primarily vertical motion. The amount of pressure in a
bellow can determine the vertical position of the bellows. As the
bellows expands, the pressure will drop and load is reduced until
equilibrium is reached. Then additional pressure will raise the
height and reduction of pressure will lower the height.
[0208] As discussed herein, an exercise machine (e.g., treadmill,
stepper, elliptical, bicycle, etc.) may be utilized in a
differential air pressure system. Furthermore, the differential air
pressure system may be adjusted for various users, the exercise
machine may be adjusted to provide for various workout
environments, and the differential air pressure system enclosure,
opening, and structure may be configured in many different ways.
The wide range of adjustments and system configurations therefore
provides for a variety of workout, therapy, and/or medical
treatment environments heretofore not realized in differential air
pressure systems.
Bag Shaping for a Differential Air Pressure System
[0209] While a user is enclosed in a differential air pressure
system chamber at a portion of their body near the torso, such as
those described herein, it may occur that the user would hit a part
of their body on the chamber shell during exercise. However, a user
may wish to exercise or move in some cases without this inhibition
of movement. This issue of movement inhibition is further
exacerbated by the reality that users of many different body shapes
and sizes will be using the same physical device. For instance, a
rotund individual will require a wide opening and upper surface of
the shell to fit inside. If left alone, this same surface, when
used by a diminutive person will cause the small person's arms and
hands to contact the upper surface because natural motion is to
swing the arms by the hips.
[0210] Furthermore, the enclosure should be contoured to be long to
allow the user to extend their leg back during running and bring
the knee high during the forward step portion of the gait cycle.
This creates a long device, which must at the same time remain
narrow to prevent interference with arm swing. Should a user
contact the shell during a run, such contact may throw off the
user's balance or cause trauma to the area that impacted the
enclosure. To enhance the safety of the system it may be desirable
to contour the shape of the shell to avoid contact with the user's
body as much as possible.
[0211] As discussed herein, a differential air pressure system
shell can be contoured to allow for freedom of movement of all
limbs of the body during user activity. Furthermore, a differential
air pressure system is made adjustable to accommodate individuals
of different sizes to use a single differential air pressure system
apparatus and accommodate a range of varying body types.
[0212] FIG. 31A illustrates a side view of one embodiment of a
structural bar which contours and constrains a flexible inflatable
shell in a differential air pressure system. FIG. 31B illustrates a
top view of the structural bar. The differential air pressure
system 3100 comprises a structural bar 3102 that contours and
constrains a flexible inflatable shell 3104. The bar 3102 is formed
in a shape around the user's 3106 waist such that the bar holds the
fabric of the shell 3104 low and narrow on the side of the user to
allow for freedom of arm and hand movement 3108. In one embodiment,
the bar is configured to provide comfort in a system designed for
walking or slow jogging.
[0213] FIG. 31C illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a
structural 3132 bar that contours and constrains a flexible
inflatable shell in a differential air pressure system. FIG. 3D
illustrates a top view of the structural bar 3132 of FIG. 31C. In
the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 31C and 31D, the bar 3132 may
also be contoured upwards at an angle 3114 .alpha. in the front and
the rear to accommodate a knee raising motion 3110 and/or a heel
kick motion 3130 typically seen in faster running speeds. This more
complex shape may be described as a saddle shape. In one
embodiment, the structural material used in the shell 3134 has a
significant strength and stiffness so as to not deform as the shell
is pressurized and the shell tries to form a spherical shape to
reduce wall stresses. In the top view of the structural bar,
illustrated in FIG. 31D, the structural bar 3132 may be slanted in
at the front and back at an angle 3112 .phi.. In one embodiment,
angle 3112 is consistent with the average angle of arm swing of a
runner or person performing exercise. In one embodiment, the angles
.alpha. and .phi. are adjustable with a series of telescoping and
hinged tube pieces.
[0214] FIG. 31E illustrates one embodiment of a structural bar 3140
with adjustable angles and adjustable contour. In this particular
embodiment, the width of the bar 3146 may be adjustable with
telescoping bars or another sliding mechanism that allows length
change while maintaining its structural integrity. Other
configurations or adjustment mechanisms may also be utilized.
[0215] As illustrated in FIG. 31C, the front and back of structural
bar 3102 may be substantially higher than the sides of the bar
3102, which reside lower on the user's 3106 body relative to the
front and back to accommodate arm and hand movement. The height in
the front and back of the bar allows for freedom of movement by the
knees in the forward portion of the running gait and the height in
the bag allows for heel kick without contacting the structure,
which is a motion commonly seen in distance runners. The low side
portion of the bar 3102 provides for arm swing of the
individual.
[0216] The features discussed above with respect to shell height
adjustment, rotational seals, translational seals, shell contour
adjustment, etc. are all aimed at ensuring that an experience is
provided that is as natural to normal exercise as possible. If the
user must adjust their arm swing or position this may distort their
gait and cause discomfort. Gait distortion and arm swing adjustment
issues may be exacerbated in a sprinting situation versus a walking
or jogging situation, but a user who feels awkward or
self-conscious about contacting the shell will likely never feel
completely natural. The embodiments discussed above may be used
with a chamber constructed of fabric or a hybrid-type shell
comprising a minimally deforming stiffer material as a lower
portion with a flexible (e.g. fabric) top portion.
[0217] In one embodiment, a support bar is attached to the chamber
in such a way that the fabric of the chamber contoured by the bar
is restricted from moving past the bar, thus fixing the top shape
of the fabric above the bar. To be implemented for users of
different heights, the fabric below the bar is allowed to collapse
or expand and deform to accommodate users of various heights. The
bar can be secured in a vertical position with a locking or
latching mechanism so as to maintain an appropriate height to match
the individual who is exercising, such as illustrated in FIG. 11.
The height of the bar may in some variations be dynamically
controlled during a walking or running motion to maintain position
throughout the gait cycle relative to the body.
[0218] In one embodiment, the contouring bar concept may be
integrated into a minimally deforming shell enclosure. FIG. 32A
illustrates one embodiment of a contoured top structure for a
differential air pressure system. In that particular embodiment,
system 3200 comprises an enclosure 3208. The top portion 3202 of
the enclosure is molded or formed to provide a basic shape
including a contour that is narrow and low by the user's hip, or
more complex saddle shape, e.g. as produced by the bars in FIG.
31A-31E. The minimally deforming top shell portion 3202 may be part
of a minimally deforming enclosure, or may be the top portion of
the chamber that surrounds the user's 3204 waist and is attached to
a lower fabric portion 3208 of the chamber in a substantially
airtight manner. In one embodiment, vertical adjustment of the
minimally deforming upper portion 3202 is allowed while maintaining
the shape of the shell that is likely to be contacted by the user
during motion. This upper portion 3202 may be formed from any
structurally sound material such as plastic or fiberglass. In one
embodiment, lightweight material is utilized since a user may have
to lift the upper portion if it is not part of a fully rigid shell.
In one embodiment, height adjustment may be provided by straps
3206, however, other forms of height adjustment described herein
may be utilized to adjust and fix the height of upper portion
3202.
[0219] FIG. 32B illustrates a top view of a top portion of another
embodiment of a minimally deforming shell enclosure. In this
particular embodiment, a shell of a differential air pressure
system is made fully of a minimally deforming material and has a
contoured top portion 3211. As indicated by hinges (not shown), the
top portion 3211 of the shell may be part of a door or clamshell
style attachment to allow the user access into the shell without
having to climb into the unit. In this embodiment, a locking
mechanism 3212, such as a pin or clasp, is used to maintain the
structural integrity and prevent deformation or separation of the
clamshell or door halves under pressure.
[0220] FIGS. 32C and 32D illustrate additional embodiments of a
minimally deforming top for a chamber (shell) of a differential air
pressure system. In one embodiment, minimally deforming top 3222
may also be used as an attachment to a fabric portion of the shell.
In this particular embodiment, a user may select a top 3222 and
connect the selected top 3222 to a portion of a fabric shell 3224A,
or a surrounding structure after they are secured into the chamber.
Subsequently, the user can allow the deflated shell 3224A to
inflate to form inflated shell 3224B underneath this minimally
deforming shell top 3222 and, in some cases, to bubble up around
the edges of the top 3222. The contoured configuration of shell top
3222 enables user freedom of movement similar to that discussed
above.
[0221] FIG. 33 illustrates one embodiment of a minimally deforming
portion of a shell for use in a traditional unloading device. In
one embodiment, the unloading system is a harness system, where the
lifting cabling or members 3302 are attached to the edges of the
minimally deforming contoured shell 3304, thereby leaving an area
around the user 3306 free of cables or other structural members
that they may come into contact with. FIG. 34 illustrates one
embodiment of a compression and tension system for use with a
minimally deforming portion of a shell, similar to that discussed
above with respect to FIG. 33.
[0222] In one embodiment, a structure, such as an endoskeleton or
exoskeleton, may be utilized to constrain a fabric enclosure of a
differential air pressure system. FIG. 35 illustrates one
embodiment of a skeleton structure 3500 for constraining and
shaping a fabric differential air pressure system enclosure. In
this particular embodiment, when shell 3504 is inflated, skeleton
3502 constrains the shell 3504 to the shape of skeleton 3504. In
one embodiment, exoskeleton or endoskeleton 3502 is constructed of
connected lightweight structural support members to form the basic
shell shape of an enclosure. The members may for example be welded
together, connected via pipe joints as in ABS pipe couplings, or
connected via sleeves. As discussed herein, an endoskeleton is a
structure considered to be inside the shell enclosure, whereas an
exoskeleton is considered to be outside of the enclosure.
[0223] A skeleton design is similar to a minimally deforming shell,
discussed above, though reduces weight, fabrication costs, and
potentially ingress and egress to the chamber by including a bar
which acts as a gate 3506 to control user access to the chamber. In
one embodiment, bar 3506 is placed to constrain the fabric 3504
shell from expanding outward and interfering with arm swing. In one
embodiment, the upper portion and front and rear portions of the
skeleton 3502 are contoured to provide a comparable shape described
above to allow freedom of movement of user limbs during use. An
exemplary construction may be a geodesic dome. In one embodiment,
the skeleton 3502 may be vertically adjustable, and certain members
of the skeleton 3502 may serve as hand rails.
[0224] FIGS. 36A and 36B illustrate another embodiment for
constraining and shaping a differential air pressure system bag. In
one embodiment, to ensure that bag 3602A remains narrow along the
user's sides but still allows for length of the bag and height in
the front and back, one or more nested stays or one or more nested
minimally deforming rings, such as rings 3604.sub.1 to 3604.sub.N,
surround the shell, e.g. like a Japanese lantern. The series of
minimally deforming rings surrounding the flexible (e.g. fabric)
bag allows the fabric between stays or rings in configuration 3602A
to collapse to form configuration 3602B when the bag is
deflated.
[0225] In one embodiment, rings 3604.sub.1 to 3604.sub.N are shaped
approximately concentrically to allow deflation of bag 3602 in an
organized fashion, rather than to freely crumple. Configuring rings
in this fashion can further assist in controlling the shape of the
fabric in a deflated state 3602B to make storage cleaner, as well
as easier for a user walk over the deflated bag without tripping on
a wrinkle or fold.
[0226] In one embodiment, instead of nested rings, one or more
nested rigid structures may be utilized, as illustrated in FIG.
36C. Sections of plastic 3682.sub.1 to 3682.sub.N, or other rigid
material, may be expanded to interfere with one another and form
pyramid style structure 3684. When expanded, the nested rigid
structures 3682.sub.1 . . . 3682.sub.N contact one another and
extend vertically to form a chamber 3686. The rigid pieces may in
some variations have seals disposed between each layer (not shown)
to create a sufficiently airtight environment inside the chamber
3686.
[0227] FIG. 37 illustrates an additional embodiment of a contoured
soft enclosure in a differential air pressure system. In this
particular embodiment, one or more minimally deforming shell
portions, such as shell portions 3702.sub.1 to 3702.sub.N, are
attached to the enclosure 3704 to cause the enclosure to conform to
the shape of the minimally deforming shell portion or portions when
inflated. In some variations, there can be multiple shell portions
of various sizes located on the enclosure 3704. The shell portions
may be affixed to the enclosure by any suitable attachment
technique or means, e.g. sewn into pockets, or glued to the
enclosure as non-limiting examples. The shell portions can in some
circumstances provide local rigidity and structure to the enclosure
3704 without the bulk or weight of a fully hard shell forming the
chamber for the user.
[0228] FIG. 38 illustrates yet an additional embodiment of a
contoured soft shell enclosure in a differential air pressure
system. In this particular embodiment, straps 3810 and contouring
bar 3812 may be affixed to a portion of the enclosure 3802 such
that when the straps are cinched down, the straps constrain a
portion of the flexible (e.g. fabric) enclosure from expanding
under pressure. In one embodiment, such straps may be placed in
multiple positions (in addition to those illustrated) and may
reside on any portion of the enclosure (different from those
illustrated) that the user occupies during exercise. In one
embodiment, the straps 3810 can be permanently attached to a
differential air pressure system enclosure. In another embodiment,
can be affixed to a separable portion of the differential air
pressure system enclosure, e.g. a user seal, and may be affixed to
a main portion of the enclosure to complete the enclosure.
[0229] As discussed above, the surface of hard and soft shell
differential air pressure system cases may be contoured. The
contouring allows for a wide degree of freedom of movement, which
is as natural as possible, during exercise or therapy. Furthermore,
as discussed above, the contouring may be easily adjusted during
use by a user, a trainer, or therapist observing a routine, and the
height of the contouring surface may also be adjustable by any
method described herein or otherwise known. Optionally, the
contouring method described above may be combined with any of the
other inventions disclosed herein to promote freedom of movement
and/or user ergonomics among other things.
Differential Air Pressure System Application
[0230] As discussed above, a differential air pressure system is
described that is adjustable for users of different heights and
body sizes. Furthermore, support systems and mechanisms are
described that enable the differential air pressure systems to
operate at different angles, speeds, etc. while the user is
comfortable and safe, as well as allowing for a wide range of user
motion. Embodiments of applications and uses for the differential
air pressure system, such as any of systems described herein (e.g.
in connection with FIG. 1 or FIG. 2), are described below.
[0231] Currently, obesity is driving people to become bedridden. As
a person becomes increasingly obese, that person may not able to
support his own weight or may not have the strength to sustain
prolonged walking or jogging. Furthermore, such a person's joints
may not be able to endure the stress of walking or other movement
due to the excessive weight placed on the joints. As a consequence,
obese people exercise less, and the downward cycle continues. One
option open to obese people is to exercise in a pool. However,
frequently obese people are embarrassed to enter pools and in some
circumstances may require a hoist or other cumbersome means to
actually enter the water. There is also risk of drowning with
someone who is not fit. Walking and jogging are better forms of
exercise for losing weight than aquatic exercise, or hand bikes,
because of the rate of calorie burn. No practical harness systems
are available for obese people, as these systems would be very
uncomfortable because of the amount of weight the strapping would
have to support, and the strapping may begin to cut into the skin.
Strapping would also require significant setup time and multiple
people to assist in getting the person into the machine.
[0232] Some embodiments of differential air pressure systems, which
may be configured (or specifically designed) for wider persons, can
allow for much simpler ingress and egress than aquatic exercise or
harness systems, and the air pressure can provide a significant
amount of weight support. Although an application of a differential
air pressure system is described below for treatment of obesity,
other maladies, such as, conditions that affect a person's motor
system (e.g., multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, or Down Syndrome)
or a person's exercise tolerance (e.g., cardiac disease, etc.) may
also utilize the techniques described below.
[0233] FIG. 39 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a process
3900 for applying a differential air pressure system to treat a
condition, e.g. obesity, cardiac disease, multiple sclerosis,
cerebral palsy, or Down Syndrome. The process is performed by
processing logic that may comprise hardware (circuitry, dedicated
logic, etc.), software (such as is run on a general purpose
computer system or a dedicated machine), or a combination of both.
In one embodiment, processor processing logic resides in processor
122 of FIG. 1 or processor 208 of FIG. 2.
[0234] Referring now to FIG. 39, the process begins by processing
logic generating an initial setting for a user (processing block
3902). In one embodiment, the initial settings are for a user with
obesity, though other maladies or conditions may be treated as
described herein. This initial user setting may be based on a
diagnostic value, such as a heart rate, perceived exertion, pain, a
doctor's recommendation, therapist's treatment plan, etc. The
initial setting may further be based on setting selected by a
physical trainer, nutritionist, or other health professional. There
are many choices and sources for initial settings.
[0235] Processing logic then develops a treatment plan based on the
initial settings for the user (processing block 3904). A plan to
combat obesity may include incrementally and systematically
increasing the strenuousness of a workout by adjusting pressure in
the chamber, adjusting incline of a treadmill, including intervals
of strenuous and non-strenuous activity in a workout, etc., or any
combination thereof. Additionally, processing logic may track user
progress over time, or from session to session, to monitor weight
loss or physical conditional of the user. Further, the treatment
plan may be adjusted, either by processing logic, the user, an
outside observer, a health professional, etc., to constantly
improve the effectiveness of the treatment plan. By precisely
controlling the forces against which the user is training using the
differential air pressure systems and methods described herein, a
precisely-controlled and quantifiable plan for weight loss with
concomitant building of muscular strength and cardiovascular
fitness may allow for an aggressive treatment plan of weight loss.
Further, the differential air pressure systems can be somewhat
self-adjusting for a user with obesity. For example, a treatment
program may be designed so that a user exercises at a certain
fraction of his body weight, so as the user loses weight, the
pressure in the chamber may automatically drop to keep the user
exercising at that same fraction of his new, lower body weight.
This is important because weight loss drastically affects how a
user can exercise. This allows, for example, the system to be more
aggressive in treating obesity. The system may consist of periodic
recalibration as weight is dropped and the user's bodyweight begins
to change. By expanding this to record calibrations over a period
of multiple workouts, weight loss of the user can be obtained. The
weight loss can then affect other workout metrics such as speed,
incline, etc. A composite of these metrics can give tangible
feedback about the progress the user is making and make suggestions
for workout adjustments to help the user more aggressively lose
weight, regain mobility, improve cardiovascular fitness, etc. As a
result, a consistent and safe workout is provided by the
differential air pressure system, for a person suffering from
obesity.
Calibration of a Differential Air Pressure System Via Pain
Titration
[0236] Pain is a useful workout metric, especially for people
rehabilitating an injury. In one embodiment, pain titration is
utilized in an unloading device, such as the differential air
pressure systems discussed herein, to record, adjust, and plan
workouts. This can be beneficial by allowing a physician to create
consistent workouts for patients, as well as storing and providing
hard analytical data for evaluation of a patient's recovery process
or injury. Furthermore, use of a differential air pressure system
can also allow users to more quickly begin and complete a workout
because their pain can be accurately and immediately controlled,
without reliance on a physician or other health professional.
[0237] As discussed below, pain values may be measured or estimated
using an arbitrary scale, from a knob, a numerical input, a
graphical input, a series of questions, or other segmented scale
method for accepting input from a user. Any of the above-listed
pain level inputs that can be provided by the user can be used to
evaluate the level of pain the user feels at one or more moments in
a workout or therapy session, as well as to adjust metrics
associated with a workout (i.e., maintaining a constant pain
level).
[0238] Furthermore, user pain level inputs can be used to adjust a
workout during a workout or therapy session. This allows adjustment
of workouts (current and future) based on user input. In some
embodiments, pain level inputs from the user can be used to create
one or more protocols that, in turn, create a workout or series of
workouts based on the user's pain level. The creation of one or
more protocols corresponding to workout settings can allows users,
physicians, and other health professionals to obtain consistent
metrics of healing, either from a set different workouts by a
single user, or by workouts across multiple users normalized to a
generic pain scale. Furthermore, by storing or otherwise outputting
pain metrics, a user can monitor how he has progressed, and a
physician or other health professional can monitor how his patient
is progressing, and in some cases may compare his patient's
progress versus statistics of healing from people with similar
injuries or conditions. This type of data collection for a single
individual or across groups of individual can enable further
refinement of workouts to assist in the healing process.
[0239] The workouts can be designed for recovery from a new injury,
or for managing a chronic injury or condition. A workout designed
to push ability and to heal a temporary injury is generally
different than providing a workout regimen for someone with a
chronic injury. For example, a protocol for increasing load on a
person recovering from a stress fracture is likely to be different
than a protocol to assist someone with arthritis exercise, because
a health professional may expect a certain rate of healing to reach
full health for an acute stress fracture injury versus a slower
progression, stagnant performance, or even declining performance
with a chronic injury or degenerative condition.
[0240] In some embodiments, pain inputs and/or pain level readings
can be used to predict a rate of healing. Such a correlation may
allow a user or physician to predict what activities are most
appropriate to allow or restrict activity at certain points in the
recovery cycle. The pain inputs and a predicted rate of healing
associated with the pain inputs can be used to predict when the
patient will be able to return to normal or safe use of the injured
body part (e.g., use of the body part not previously allowed due to
the injury). This capability may be useful, for example, in cases
of injured athletes trying to decide when they can resume
competition. The capability has other uses beyond that of athletes.
For example, the pain inputs and a predicted rate of healing
associated with the pain inputs can be applied to work-related
injuries and the ability and/or timing of a user to resume work
activity. In the case of athletes or workers deciding whether to
resume their normal activities, or a health professional deciding
on a course of treatment, the systematic pain data that can in some
circumstances be obtained using a differential air pressure system
may provide a more quantitative basis for making such
decisions.
[0241] Furthermore, in some variations, pain inputs/readings can be
used as a diagnostic tool to determine the source of an injury.
Physicians often use manual stimulation to determine the site of
pain. This system can allow for a user to change variables in a
workout in a controlled manner and to have a protocol for a
recovery workout, and the resulting pain input from the user may
reveal a more specific description of the condition for a physician
or other health professional. The pain inputs can further be used
to evaluate the extent of an injury. The extent of an injury can be
estimated by pain during manual stimulation or through scanning
(x-ray, MRI, CAT, etc). Differential air pressure systems that are
configured to receive pain input from a user can allow for the user
to change workout constants such as, but not limited to, speed,
incline, and effective bodyweight to identify the acceptable load
on the injury. The system may record the progression and different
pain levels for a given set of functional system parameters, and a
protocol developed based on the level of pain at multiple points of
adjustment. Optionally, these data may be output to a physician or
other health professional for creation of a new, separate protocol
or for adjustment of a system generated protocol.
[0242] In some embodiments, the user pain input may be provided to
a sensor of a differential air pressure system, for example a
sensor that senses a biological parameter of the user, e.g.
swelling, blood pressure, muscle effort, tissue strain, blood flow,
brain activity, etc., or any combination thereof. These extra
sensors may, but do not have to be, directly connected to the user.
In these configurations, the system may utilize other external
factors that have been linked to pain in lieu of or in addition to
direct pain readings from the user to manage and modify a workout.
The sensors can be, but are not limited to, mechanical or
electrical sensors.
[0243] The pain inputs, workout determination, injury evaluation,
and/or calibration can take place individually or in conjunction
with one another, and take place in hardware, software, or both
hardware and software. The software may reside on the machine
itself or on an external computer or evaluation center. The data
may be transferred from the machine by a memory storage device or
transmitted over a network, e.g. a wireless network.
[0244] Because different conditions may require different programs
and settings for a differential air pressure system, the system can
be calibrated. In some variations, the system calibration is
performed based on a condition, personal factors of a user, malady,
etc. For example, a person with a torn anterior cruciate ligament
(ACL) in his knee may not need the same initial settings in a
differential air pressure system as a person suffering from
obesity, or a child suffering from Down Syndrome.
[0245] FIG. 40 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a process
4000 for calibrating the differential air pressure device based on
user pain levels. The process is performed by processing logic that
may comprise hardware (circuitry, dedicated logic, etc.), software
(such as is run on a general purpose computer system or a dedicated
machine), or a combination of both hardware and software. In one
embodiment, processor processing logic resides in processor 122 of
FIG. 1 or processor 208 of FIG. 2.
[0246] Referring to FIG. 40, the process begins by processing logic
estimating initial settings for a user based on the user's
condition (processing block 4002). In one embodiment, an educated
guess as to how much pressure (e.g., a reduction in active body
weight) may provide an initial setting. In some situations, the
estimate is made to err on the side of caution given specific
conditions. For example, for a user with a torn anterior cruciate
ligament (ACL), processing logic may specify that the differential
air pressure system should be configured to 30% of that user's body
weight, while processing logic may specify 50% of a user's body
weight in a pediatrics case.
[0247] Processing logic then operates a differential air pressure
system according to the initial settings (processing block
4004).
[0248] Processing logic may further receive an indication of a
user's pain level (processing block 4006). In various embodiments,
a user may operate a user interface (which may be on a control
panel 118), e.g. hit a button, turn a dial, speak, touch a screen
or other touch sensor, etc. to indicate that they are in pain, or
to indicate a level of pain that they are experiencing. In one
embodiment, processing logic may receive data corresponding to a
user's pain from an arbitrary user-actuated dial. For example,
control panel 118 of a differential air pressure system may include
a dial from 0-100 that corresponds to zero pressure and full
pressure, respectively, and/or a scale of 0-10 for indicating the
level of pain. This dial would control the pressure set point, so
the first time a patient comes in the knob could be set to 80
(i.e., meaning 80% of full pressure, not full body weight) and
system adjustment based on a pain level can be made thereafter. The
position of the pressure dial and/or pain dial could be adjusted by
processing logic in a future treatment.
[0249] Based on the received data indicating user pain, air
pressure in the system is adjusted to either increase weight
(processing block 4008) or decrease weight (processing block 4010).
In some variations, if data are received that indicates a user
feels pain or feels pain of a certain level, weight experienced by
the user is reduced in small increments by increasing chamber
pressure until data are received that indicates no more pain is
felt or that pain is within a desired range. Furthermore, if a user
indicates that no pain is felt, body weight experienced by the user
may be increased by decreasing the chamber pressure until the user
begin to feel the pain of his injury. Weight experienced by the
user is then adjusted using pressure so that pain indicated by the
user and/or sensed by one or more sensors as described above is
below the known threshold (processing block 4012). In some
variations of the method, pressure is adjusted so that the body
weight percentage is reduced by a few percentage points per
adjustment.
[0250] Processing logic stores data indicating this point
(processing block 4014), e.g. a pressure at which the user starts
to feel pain or a certain amount of pain. As a result, the stored
data point (e.g., applied pressure as an indication of an effective
body weight) may later be used by processing logic as a reference
to start, increase, or decrease the chamber pressure the next time
the user undergoes a treatment (processing block 4016).
Furthermore, the data points may be stored and tracked over time to
provide a relative progress of treatment.
[0251] In different embodiments, user pain readings can occur
before, during, or after an unloading session. Because the pain
readings can be taken at any time, or almost any time depending on
the protocol used, the system has a chance not only to calibrate
the user to workout at expected pain levels, but to also
dynamically modify the calibration and/or workout at any point
during the workout. The pain inputs can involve either static or
dynamic forces which include, but are not limited to, ground
reaction forces, weight, foot strike forces, torque, or
combinations of those forces. Furthermore, calibration based on
these forces or torques may allow for the physician (or other
health professional) or the system to devise a workout targeted
more directly to a specific injury. Some injuries are more prone to
torque on a body part than direct ground forces and vice versa.
[0252] Pain titration is used in medicine to treat many maladies.
The process and system described above may enable fine adjustment
in conjunction with accurate and repeatable control for offloading
user weight. Furthermore, an efficient method is provided for
quantitatively accounting for and calibrating against a measure,
pain, that is typically not quantifiable, or not quantified in
practice. Furthermore, settings may be stored and tracked to
further refine treatment programs, as well as to predict and
proscribe future treatment, future device settings, etc. For
example, if a user with an ankle injury is only able to perform a
45 minute first workout, but a 50 minute second workout, then a
prediction of a future starting setting (e.g., a 55 minute workout)
may be set and progress gauged.
[0253] In some variations of the embodiments described herein,
there may be no need to know or measure an initial specific body
weight or percentage of body weight as a function of pressure,
because metrics such as pain threshold of a user are used to
calibrate the system.
Exemplary Computer System
[0254] FIG. 41 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system
that may perform one or more of the operations described herein.
Referring to FIG. 41, computer system 4100 may comprise an
exemplary client or server computer system. Computer system 4100
comprises a communication mechanism or bus 4111 for communicating
information, and a processor 4112 coupled with bus 4111 for
processing information. Processor 4112 may in some variations be a
microprocessor, but is not limited to a microprocessor.
[0255] System 4100 further comprises a random access memory (RAM),
or other dynamic storage device 4104 (referred to as main memory)
coupled to bus 4111 for storing information and instructions to be
executed by processor 4112. Main memory 4104 also may be used for
storing temporary variables or other intermediate information
during execution of instructions by processor 4112.
[0256] Computer system 4100 also comprises a read only memory (ROM)
and/or other static storage device 4106 coupled to bus 4111 for
storing static information and instructions for processor 4112, and
a data storage device 4107, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk
and its corresponding disk drive. Data storage device 4107 is
coupled to bus 4111 for storing information and instructions.
[0257] Computer system 4100 may further be coupled to a display
device 4121, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal
display (LCD), coupled to bus 4111 for displaying information to a
computer user. An alphanumeric input device 4122, including
alphanumeric and other keys, may also be coupled to bus 4111 for
communicating information and command selections to processor 4112.
An additional user input device is cursor control 4123, such as a
mouse, trackball, trackpad, stylus, or cursor direction keys,
coupled to bus 4111 for communicating direction information and
command selections to processor 4112, and for controlling cursor
movement on display 4121.
[0258] Another device that may be coupled to bus 4111 is hard copy
device 4124, which may be used for marking information on a medium
such as paper, film, or similar types of media. Another device that
may be coupled to bus 4111 is a wired/wireless communication
capability 4125 to communication to a phone or handheld palm
device.
[0259] Note that any or all of the components of system 4100 and
associated hardware may be used in the present invention. However,
it can be appreciated that other configurations of the computer
system may include some or all of the devices. Certain variations
of system 4100 may include peripherals or components not
illustrated in FIG. 41, e.g. components configured to receive
different types of user input, such as audible input, or a touch
sensor such as a touch screen.
[0260] Certain embodiments may be implemented as a computer program
product that may include instructions stored on a machine-readable
medium. These instructions may be used to program a general-purpose
or special-purpose processor to perform the described operations. A
machine-readable medium includes any mechanism for storing or
transmitting information in a form (e.g., software, processing
application) readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). The
machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to,
magnetic storage medium (e.g., floppy diskette); optical storage
medium (e.g., CD-ROM); magneto-optical storage medium; read-only
memory (ROM); random-access memory (RAM); erasable programmable
memory (e.g., EPROM and EEPROM); flash memory; electrical, optical,
acoustical, or other form of propagated signal (e.g., carrier
waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.); or another type of
medium suitable for storing electronic instructions.
[0261] Additionally, some embodiments may be practiced in
distributed computing environments where the machine-readable
medium is stored on and/or executed by more than one computer
system. In addition, the information transferred between computer
systems may either be pulled or pushed across the communication
medium connecting the computer systems.
[0262] The digital processing device(s) described herein may
include one or more general-purpose processing devices such as a
microprocessor or central processing unit, a controller, or the
like. Alternatively, the digital processing device may include one
or more special-purpose processing devices such as a digital signal
processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC),
a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like. In an
alternative embodiment, for example, the digital processing device
may be a network processor having multiple processors including a
core unit and multiple microengines. Additionally, the digital
processing device may include any combination of general-purpose
processing device(s) and special-purpose processing device(s).
[0263] Although the operations of the method(s) herein are shown
and described in a particular order, the order of the operations of
each method may be altered so that certain operations may be
performed in an inverse order or so that certain operation may be
performed, at least in part, concurrently with other operations. In
another embodiment, instructions or sub-operations of distinct
operations may be in an intermittent and/or alternating manner.
[0264] While embodiments and applications of this invention have
been shown and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in
the art having the benefit of this disclosure that many more
modifications than mentioned above are possible without departing
from the inventive concepts herein. For example, the present
invention may be applicable to containing any part of the body,
such as the upper body, torso area, etc. The invention, therefore,
is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended
claims. Furthermore, embodiments of the systems, apparatuses, and
methods described herein may be practiced individually, or in
combination. Many different combinations would be apparent to those
skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
[0265] It shall be understood that any of the concepts described
herein may be joined together, or combined, to form a useful
invention. For instance, an adjustable orifice may be combined with
a contoured shell to provide an effective means for accepting uses
or various body types and maintaining a natural running experience.
For the sake of brevity, and to avoid obscuring the individual
concepts discussed above, not all combinations of the inventions
described herein have been listed, but combinations shall be held
within the scope of this patent. Additionally, it shall be
understood that systems that described a pressurized chamber may be
construed to include both positive and negative pressure
configurations. Positive versus negative pressure may require
different configurations of the inventions but such modifications
from those explicitly described herein shall be considered within
the scope of this patent.
* * * * *