Systems, methods and apparatus for differential air pressure devices

• US 10,004,656 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2016
• Issued: 06/26/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AlterG, Inc.
• Original Assignee: AlterG, Inc.
• Inventors: Whalen, Sean Tremaine, Shughart, Mark A., Schwandt, Douglas Frank, Whalen, Robert Tremaine, Liou, Edward, Moore, Fritz
• Primary Examiner(s): Stuart, Colin W
• Application Number:
  US15/143,351
• Publication Number:
  US 20160242993A1
• Time in Patent Office: 788 Days
• Field of Search: 601 5- 11, 601 23, 12820212, 12820526, 482 54, 600 19
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0239 using vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2009/0035 with cabin for the whole body
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5058 Sensors or detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 9/00 Pneumatic or hydraulic massage
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/002 electronically, e.g. by using a program
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0072 Limiting the applied force, torque, movement or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00181 comprising additional means assisting the user to overcome part of the resisting force, i.e. assisted-active exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0023 the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0056 the pivoting movement being in a vertical plane, e.g. steppers with a horizontal axis platforms for rocking motion about a horizontal axis A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0076 Rowing machines for conditioning the cardio-vascular system seats moving during exercise A63B22/0087; training appliances for rowing or sculling on boats A63B69/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/18 with elements, i.e. platforms, having a circulating, nutating or rotating movement, generated by oscillating movement of the user, e.g. platforms wobbling on a centrally arranged spherical supporthoop exercising apparatus A63B19/00; eccentric weights put into orbital motion by nutating movement of the user A63B21/0608; pots rotating or rocking by moving the whole body A63G23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0228 Sitting on the buttocks
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0242 Lying down
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/053 higher pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 : Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/01 : User's weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 : heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/062 : used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/30 : blood pressure A63B2230/04 takes precedence

Abstract

Described herein are various embodiments of differential air pressure systems and components for differential air pressure systems. The air pressure systems have 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.

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 inflatable by a pressurizing system under control of a processor to at least partially unweight the user;

a height adjustable structure having a plurality of height adjustment slots in a front of the chamber and a plurality of height adjustment slots in a rear of the chamber;

a user seal coupled to the chamber, the user seal comprising an adjustable opening that is capable of receiving and sealing around the 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 provided by the pressurizing system can be sustained in the chamber, and the adjustable opening in the chamber is capable of accommodating a range of user body sizes; and

a support bar around the user seal having a front engagement member to couple to one height adjustment slot of the plurality of height adjustment slots in the front of the chamber and a rear engagement member to couple to one height adjustment slot of the plurality of height adjustment slots in the rear of the chamber.

2. The structure of claim 1 further comprising a treadmill within the chamber positioned for use by the user when sealed in the chamber by the user seal.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein the support bar is contoured to accommodate for a movement associated with the use of the treadmill by the user coupled to the user seal.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein the movement associated with the use of the treadmill is one of sprinting, running, jogging and walking.

5. The structure of claim 1 wherein when the support bar is coupled to one height adjustment slot in the front of the chamber and one height adjustment slot in the rear of the chamber the user seal is tilted.

6. The structure of claim 1 wherein a sleeve of the chamber connects the support bar attached to the chamber.

7. The structure of claim 1 wherein when the support bar is coupled to one height adjustment slot in the front of the chamber and one height adjustment slot in the rear of the chamber the user seal is adapted to a height and a tilt for the user coupled to the user seal.

8. The structure of claim 1 wherein the support bar is contoured to have a dip at or near a hip of the user when coupled to the user seal.

9. The structure of claim 1 further comprising a latching mechanism that transitions from an open position to a closed position, wherein when the latching mechanism is in the closed position the support bar is secured in place relative to the chamber.

10. The structure of claim 1 wherein the support bar is contoured to accommodate an arm swing motion of the user when coupled to the user seal.

11. The structure of claim 1 wherein the support bar is contoured to provide for the user, when coupled to the user seal, a lower portion at or near a hip of the user and a front raised portion and a rear raised portion to accommodate a leg kick and a high knee action of the user.

12. The structure of claim 1 wherein a perimeter shape of the support bar controls a perimeter shape of the chamber adjacent to the user seal.

13. The structure of claim 1 further comprising a locking bar to fix the support bar in place in a height adjustment slot in the front of the chamber and a locking bar to fix the support bar in place in a height adjustment slot in the rear of the chamber.

14. The structure of claim 1 wherein the support bar can support the weight of the user when coupled to the user seal without bending or breaking.

15. The structure of claim 1 wherein the plurality of height adjustment slots in the front of the chamber and the plurality of height adjustment slots in the rear of the chamber are configured as horizontal slots.

16. The structure of claim 1 wherein the plurality of height adjustment slots in the front of the chamber and the plurality of height adjustment slots in the rear of the chamber are configured as spring loaded cams.

17. The structure of claim 1 wherein the plurality of height adjustment slots in the front of the chamber and the plurality of height adjustment slots in the rear of the chamber are configured so that the support bar is locked into place when the chamber is under pressure.

18. The structure of claim 1 wherein the plurality of height adjustment slots in the front of the chamber and the plurality of height adjustment slots in the rear of the chamber further comprise a mechanical barrier such that the support bar is pushed past the mechanical barrier before being locking into a height adjustment slot.

19. The structure of claim 1 wherein the chamber is inflated by the pressurizing system under control of the processor in response to instructions provided to the processor indicating an initial setting by a user and a generated treatment plan.

20. The structure of claim 1 further comprising a touch screen adjacent to the chamber, within reach of the user when coupled to the user seal and in communication with the processor.