U.S. patent number 3,577,977 [Application Number 04/775,406] was granted by the patent office on 1971-05-11 for cardiovascular conditioning device and portable respirator.
This patent grant is currently assigned to N/A. Invention is credited to Gerald Garnder, Leonard Harris, Arnott A. Moore, Frederick R. Ritzinger, Jr, Paul M. Stevens, Henry B. Whitmore.
United States Patent |
3,577,977 |
Ritzinger, Jr , et
al. |
May 11, 1971 |
CARDIOVASCULAR CONDITIONING DEVICE AND PORTABLE RESPIRATOR
Abstract
A positive pressure vest and helmet assembly is pressurized by
introducing gases thereinto to produce pooling of blood in the
subject's extremities causing the vascular muscles to exercise in
order to compensate for conditions resulting from body changes
which occur under zero gravity conditions.
Inventors: |
Ritzinger, Jr; Frederick R.
(Williams, AZ), Whitmore; Henry B. (San Antonio, TX),
Stevens; Paul M. (Houston, TX), Garnder; Gerald (Alvin,
TX), Harris; Leonard (San Antonio, TX), Moore; Arnott
A. (San Antonio, TX) |
Assignee: |
N/A (N/A)
|
Family
ID: |
25104307 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/775,406 |
Filed: |
November 13, 1968 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/20;
601/44 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B64G
6/00 (20130101); B64D 10/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B64G
6/00 (20060101); B64D 10/00 (20060101); A61b
019/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/1,30.2,24,299 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,317,654 |
|
Jan 1963 |
|
FR |
|
828,731 |
|
Feb 1960 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Trapp; L. W.
Claims
We claim:
1. A cardiovascular conditioning device for use under zero gravity
conditions, said device comprising an inflatable jacket which
permits normal breathing function while providing controllable
pressures about the upper body of the wearer, said inflatable
jacket having free sleeve portions and being adjustable to fit the
body of the wearer, a restricting jacket adjustable over said
inflatable jacket to retain said inflatable jacket in position, a
helmet adapted to be positioned over the head of the wearer for
sustaining variable pressures thereon, sealing means between said
helmet and said inflatable jacket, a body harness adjustable about
the body of the wearer for maintaining said helmet in position over
the head of the wearer, and a controlled pressure source for
inflating said inflatable jacket and pressurizing said helmet and
amount sufficient to provide a constant pressure differential
between the head and torso areas and the other body portions,
thereby compensating for body changes occurring under zero gravity
conditions by requiring increased cardiovascular activity which
maintains the heart and vascular muscles in tone during relatively
long periods of space flight under zero gravity conditions.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In conditions of space flight when the aviator is subjected over
long periods of time to zero gravity conditions and conditions of
fast gravity changes, severe cardiovascular disturbances are
experienced. The heart and vascular muscles become weakened from
disuse. Under normal conditions of 1 g. the heart and blood vessels
are continuously propelling the blood upward against gravity. When
subjected for extended periods of time to zero gravity conditions,
the heart and blood vessels become weakened and perhaps permanently
damaged by lack of exercise, so that when returned to increased
gravity conditions, the cardiovascular system cannot respond.
In attempts to make compensation for zero gravity conditions,
devices have been contrived for encasing the lower extremities of
the operator so that his legs and lower abdomen can be kept under
negative pressure or in partial vacuum, creating a differential
between upper and lower body portions in attempts to keep the heart
and blood vessels active. Other devices have been tried, but all
are cumbersome, consuming space and weight.
A great deal of research has been undertaken in attempts to
understand, alleviate and compensate for these conditions. The aim
is to keep the operator functioning normally for longer periods of
time with no cardiovascular disturbance or damage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a pressure
differential in selected body portions. This is done by an increase
in positive pressures about the head and torso areas. The
cardiovascular system is kept active by the greater energy
required, thus compensating for the conditions above referred
to.
In the device of the invention, a jacket without sleeves is made to
be worn on the body. It is made of any suitable airtight,
lightweight fabric, such as nylon coated with neoprene. The jacket
is an inflatable bladder communicating with a controlled pressure
source. The bladder is applied to the body, as a jacket above the
waist. As found expedient a restraining jacket is applied over it
to keep it in place and provide protection for it. The bladder and
jacket are sleeveless; the arms, as well as the legs, are thus not
included in the areas where increased pressure is being applied.
The head, however, is included. The area within a helmet worn on
the head of the subject is made airtight and is connected with a
controlled pressure source. Pressure differentials are thus
provided. Energy is required of the cardiovascular system to move
pooled blood from one part of the body to another. The muscles are
kept in tone and are thus enabled to compensate adequately for the
unaccustomed conditions to which the astronaut is subjected. The
damaging condition of orthostasis can thereby be prevented.
The device can also be used to provide artificial respiration. A
portable respirator can be used to introduce intermittent pressure
on the chest causing involuntary exhalation and inhalation of the
subject.
The device can be manually operated by the subject, or it can be
arranged to function automatically by using an inline cycling valve
with a pressure cylinder or compressor or some other such expedient
device. It will be seen that the device provides for applying
positive pressure to the upper half of the body exclusive of the
arms and this can be done without significantly affecting the
normal breathing operation.
Adequate cardiovascular conditioning is thus provided by the
present invention for the prevention and correction of the adverse
affects of prolonged exposure of a subject to conditions of zero
gravity. It will be seen also that the application of the present
invention enables the physiological affects and stresses imposed on
human subjects for long durations to be tolerated without ill
effects.
The device is capable of fabrication from lightweight materials
which do not add the impediment of greater weight in the subject's
equipment. The design and material employed make the device
procurable at low cost.
It will further aid in the research of physiological responses to
stress associated with the cardiovascular system. Its use is not
restricted to space conditions but has possibilities for use in the
cardiovascular conditioning and treatment of hospital patients in
both clinical and field applications.
These and other advantages, features and objects of the invention
will become more apparent from the following description taken in
connection with the illustrative embodiments in the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vest portion of the
assembly;
FIG. 2 is a view of the restraint jacket;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the helmet portion of the
assembly;
FIG. 4 is a back view of the vest and helmet showing the body
harness for holding the helmet in place;
FIG. 5 is a front view of the device of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a left side view of the same device; and
FIG. 7 is a view of the buckle which allows adjustment of the
harness.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A vest or inner jacket 10 is constructed as shown, for example, in
FIG. 1 of any lightweight, airtight material. It is made in the
form of an inflatable bladder communicating through an inlet pipe
12 to a controllable pressure source (not shown). It is made of any
expedient design which will be comfortable for the wearer. Arm
holes 13 may be open or closed as desired. The inner jacket 10 is
applied to the body of the operator. A restraint jacket 14, shown
in FIG. 2, is worn over the inner inflatable jacket 10 and is
provided with zipper 16 and lacings 18 for adjustment and fitting.
These details are optional and subject to modification as
expedience dictates. The outer jacket 14 may itself be made of
double inflatable material, and serve the whole purpose by
itself.
A helmet 20 fits over the head of the wearer, a flexible and
elastomeric element 22 being attached to the helmet's lower
portion, is turned upward as it is drawn on over the head and
assumes the position shown in FIG. 5, forming an airtight closing
about the neck of the wearer. A gas hose 24 communicates with the
inside of the helmet 20 and provides a means for introducing
breathing gas under pressure to the wearer. A flexible ring 27 fits
over the shoulders of the operator. A cable 26 provides him with
communication and a window 30 allows him vision and a zipper 28
allows him to open the helmet and bend it backward over his
head.
FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 show a body harness represented generally by
the numeral 32 for securing the helmet to the body of the wearer.
The helmet is shown schematically in these FIGS. at 20'. Leg straps
34 and 36 are secured by suitable fastenings 38 and 40 at front and
back, respectively. Straps 42 and 44 connect fastenings 38 and 40
to the helmet at front and back by means of buckles 46 and 48 at
front and rear. The buckle 46 is releasable by the operator by
means of the strap 50 which is within reach of the hand of the
operator.
The harness shown is exemplary only. The invention is not limited
to the specific details shown.
Although the invention has been described with reference to
particular embodiments, it will be understood to those skilled in
the art that the invention is capable of a variety of alternative
embodiments within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *