SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CALIBRATING DIFFERENTIAL AIR PRESSURE DEVICES

• US 20110098157A1
• Filed: 04/15/2010
• Published: 04/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AlterG, Inc.
• Original Assignee: AlterG, Inc.
• Inventors: Whalen, Robert Tremaine, Shughart, Mark A., Whalen, Sean Tremaine, Schwandt, Douglas Frank, Liou, Edward, Moore, Fritz
• Application Number:
  US12/761,312
• Publication Number:
  US 20110098157A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/52
• 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

Methods, apparatus, and systems for calibrating differential air pressure systems are described. The methods, apparatus, and systems may be adapted for physical training of an individual, e.g. as a training tool to improve performance or as a physical therapy tool for rehabilitation or strengthening. The differential air pressure systems comprise a chamber for receiving at least a portion of a user'"'"'s body. In one embodiment, a method for calibrating a differential air pressure system for predicting effective body weight of a user versus system pressure is described. In certain variations, the methods, apparatus and systems may comprise adjusting pressure in the system until one or more force values are reached. The methods described herein may comprise determining a relationship between body weight force and pressure, allowing the user to set a pressure or a parameter correlated with pressure to achieve a desired effective body weight.

Claims

1. A method of calibrating of a differential air pressure system for predicting effective body weight of a user versus system pressure, the method comprising:

adjusting pressure inside a chamber that surrounds a portion of a user'"'"'s body until body weight force on the user'"'"'s body reaches a target force value;

measuring the chamber pressure at the target force value to generate a first (pressure, force) data point; and

using the first (pressure, force) data point with at least one other (pressure, force) data point to determine a relationship between body weight force experienced by the user and pressure in the chamber.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the target force value is a preset force value.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the at least one other (pressure, force) data point used in determining the relationship is a body weight of the user measured at ambient pressure.

4. An apparatus to predict effective body weight of a user as a function of system pressure, the apparatus comprising:

a differential air pressure system comprising a chamber configured to receive and surround at least a portion of a user'"'"'s body; and

processing logic coupled with the differential air pressure system,

wherein the processing logic is configured to adjust pressure in the chamber until body weight force on the user reaches a target force value, measure the chamber pressure at the target force value to determine a first (pressure, force) data point, and to determine body weight force experienced by the user as a function of pressure in the chamber using the first (pressure, force) data point.

5. A method of calibrating a differential air pressure system, the method comprising:

adjusting pressure in a chamber of a differential air pressure system, the chamber surrounding at least a portion of a user'"'"'s body;

receiving a pain indication supplied by the user as a function of pressure; and

constructing a pressure versus pain relationship for the user.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the differential air pressure system comprises an exercise machine, and the pressure versus pain relationship is used to control operation of the exercise machine.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the exercise machine comprises a treadmill, and the pressure versus pain relationship is used to control at least one of a speed of the treadmill and an incline of the treadmill.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the exercise machine comprises a stepper machine, and the pressure versus pain relationship is used to control a resistance of the stepper machine.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the exercise machine comprises a stationary bicycle, and the pressure versus pain relationship is used to control a resistance of the stationary bicycle.

10. An apparatus to predict effective body weight of a user versus system pressure, the apparatus comprising:

a differential air pressure system comprising a user interface and a chamber configured to receive and surround at least a portion of a user'"'"'s body; and

a processor coupled with the differential air pressure system, the processor configured to adjust pressure in the chamber, to receive a pain indication from the user via the user interface, and to construct a pain versus chamber pressure relationship for the user.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the pain versus chamber pressure relationship is used to control operation of an exercise machine included in the differential air pressure system.

12. A method of calibrating a differential air pressure system for predicting effective body weight of a user versus system pressure, the method comprising:

surrounding at least a portion of a user'"'"'s body with a chamber of a differential air pressure system, wherein the differential air pressure system comprises a sensor configured to sense whether the user'"'"'s body within the chamber is in physical contact with a surface;

adjusting pressure in the chamber until a lift-off pressure is reached, the lift-off pressure being a pressure at which the sensor detects a break in the physical contact between the user'"'"'s body and the surface; and

using the lift-off pressure to calibrate pressure in the chamber.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the lift off pressure can be used to determine a chamber pressure required to result in a desired effective body weight for the user.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the lift off pressure used to determine a maximum safety chamber pressure for the user to prevent lift off during usage.

15. An apparatus to predict effective body weight of a user versus system pressure, the apparatus comprising:

a differential air pressure system that includes a chamber to receive and surround at least a portion of a user'"'"'s body and a sensor configured to detect whether the user'"'"'s body within the chamber is in physical contact with a surface; and

a processor coupled with the differential air pressure system, the processor configured to inflate the chamber of the differential air pressure system, and to measure a lift-off pressure at which the sensor detects that physical contact between the user'"'"'s body and the surface has been broken.

16. A method of calibrating a differential air pressure system for predicting effective body weight of a user versus system pressure, the method comprising:

using gas to pressurize a chamber in a differential air pressure system, the chamber surrounding at least a portion of a user'"'"'s body; and

using a flow rate of gas into and/or out of the chamber to determine pressure in the chamber.

17. The method of claim 16, comprising using an exhaust valve position or opening to determine pressure in the chamber.

18. The method of claim 16, comprising using voltage and/or current drawn by a blower pumping gas into the chamber to determine a pressure in the chamber.

19. A method of calibrating a differential air pressure system for predicting effective body weight of a user versus system pressure, the method comprising:

measuring an effective body weight of a user having at least a portion of the user'"'"'s body surrounded by a chamber of a differential air pressure system by measuring a startup current and/or voltage of a motor of an exercise machine supporting the user'"'"'s body within the chamber; and

correlating the effective body weight of the user with pressure in the chamber.

20. The method of claim 19, comprising measuring pressure in the chamber using a flow rate of gas into and/or out of the chamber.