Body pulsating method and apparatus

• US 6,547,749 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2001
• Issued: 04/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Electromed, Inc, Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Electromed, Inc
• Inventors: Hansen, Craig N.
• Primary Examiner(s): FREAY, CHARLES GRANT
• Application Number:
  US09/904,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20020016560A1
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 417/244, 417/441, 417/557, 417/326, 417/53, 601/43, 601/44, 601/48, 601/49, 601/148, 601/149, 601/150, 601/151, 921/40, 92/98.R, 92/99
• US Class Current: 601/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2031/025 using the same pump for pressure and vacuum, not being driven at the respiratory rate, e.g. blowers
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0103 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1238 with hydraulic or pneumatic drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/165 Wearable interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/08 Trunk
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/00 Artificial respiration or heart stimulation, e.g. heart massage artificial respiration by treatment with gas or air, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration A61M16/00; applying electric currents by contact electrodes for stimulation, e.g. heart pace-makers A61N1/36 ; teaching or training models, demonstration models for medical purposes G09B23/288
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 31/006 Power driven
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 9/0078 with intermittent or alternately inflated bladders or cuffs mattresses for preventing bed-sores with alternated pressurized chambers A61G7/05776
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 9/0092 Cuffs therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 45/043 two or more plate-like pumping flexible members in parallel

Abstract

A vest for a human body has an air core coupled to a pulsator operableto subject the vest to pulses of air which applies and releases high frequency pressure forces to the body. The pulsator has two diaphrams connected to an electric de motor with rotary to reciprocating linear motion transmitting mechanisms operable to generate air pulses in an air pulsing chamber. The diaphragms also increase the pressure in a manifold chamber. A check valve connects the manifold chamber with a pulsing chamber to allow pressurized air to flow from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber. An air flow control valve in commmunication with the manifold chamber is used to adjust the pressure of the air in the manifold and pulsing chambers.

Claims

1. An apparatus for generating air pressure and air pressure pulses in an enclosure comprising:

a casing surrounding an air pulsing chamber, means connected to the casing adapted to carry air and air pressure pulses from the air pulsing chamber to the enclosure, said casing having a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening, a first diaphragm extended across the first opening of the casing, a first cover located over and spaced from the first diaphragm having a first pumping chamber in communication with the first diaphragm, first means securing the first cover and first diaphragm to the casing, a second diaphragm extended across the second opening of the casing, a second cover located over and spaced from the second diaphragm having a second pumping chamber in communication with the second diaphragm, second means securing the second cover and second diaphragm to the casing, said casing having an internal wall separating the pulsing chamber from a manifold chamber, said manifold chamber being in air communication with said first and second pumping chambers, a one-way valve mounted on the internal wall operable to allow air to flow from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber and prevent the flow of air from the pulsing chamber back to the manifold chamber, air flow regulating means for restricting the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber to control the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, said air flow regulating means including an adjustable member operable to adjust the rate of the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber thereby regulating the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, a first motion transmission assembly connected to the first diaphragm operable to linearly move the first diaphragm relative to the pulsing and first pumping chambers, a second motion transmission assembly connected to the second diaphragm operable to linearly move the second diaphragm relative to the pulsing and second pumping chambers, a variable speed motor, power transmission means connecting the motor to the first and second motion transmission assemblies whereby on operation of the motor the first and second motion transmission assemblies linearly reciprocate the first and second diaphragms to pulse air in the pulsing chamber and cause air to flow from the manifold chamber into and out of the first and second pumping chambers and increase the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, said one-way valve allowing air to flow from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber when the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber is greater than the pressure of the air in the pulsing chamber, and a controller connected to the motor operable to vary the speed of the motor to regulate the reciprocating movements of the diaphragms thereby regulating the frequency of the air pulses in the pulsing chamber and enclosure.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including:

a timer connected to the controller for controlling the duration of electric power to said controller to regulate the duration of operation of the motor, said timer including an on-off switch operable to start the timer and terminate electric power to the controller thereby stopping the operation of the motor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the first and second diaphragms each has a rigid plate and a flexible member surrounding and secured to the plate, said flexible member being secured to said casing with one of the first and second means, and fastener means directly securing each plate to a motion transmission assembly.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein:

each flexible member has a continuous accordion fold section surrounding the plate to minimize stretching of the flexible member during linear reciprocating movements of the diaphragms.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the adjustable member of the air flow regulating means comprises a valve having a passage to allow air to flow through the valve, an air flow restrictor located in the passage to regulate the flow of air through said passage, and a control connected to the restrictor to adjust the position of the restrictor relative to the passage thereby adjust the flow of air through said passage.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein:

the control includes a manual operated member useable by a person to adjust the position of the restrictor relative to the passage thereby adjusting the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 including:

a porous member connected to the valve to allow air to flow through the porous member into the passage of the valve.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the air flow regulating means includes an air flow modulator located downstream from the adjustable member, said modulator having a passage allowing air to flow into and out of the manifold chamber.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 including:

a member mounted on the casing having a passage open to the manifold chamber and air flow regulating means, an air flow modulator mounted on the member having a passage allowing air to flow from the air flow regulating means into and out of the manifold chamber.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein:

said member has a hole allowing limited air flow into and out of the manifold chamber.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

said one-way valve has a housing mounted on the internal wall, said housing having a passage open to the pulsating chamber and manifold chamber, and a valving member located in said passage operable to allow air to flow from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber and prevent the flow of air from the pulsing chamber back to the manifold chamber.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the first and second motion transmission assembly each has a cross member located in the pulsing chamber secured to the casing, said cross member having spaced parallel guide surfaces extended normal to the diaphragms, a yoke located in slidable engagement with said guide surfaces and movable in opposite directions normal to said diaphragms, fastener means directly securing the yoke to the diaphragm, said yoke having an opening, a slide block located in said opening for movement normal to the movement of the yoke, said block having a cylindrical bore, an eccentric located in said bore, a shaft secured to the eccentric drivably connected to power transmission means whereby on operation of the motor the shaft is rotated to turn the eccentric and linearly move the yoke in opposite linear directions and reciprocate the diaphragms in opposite linear directions.

13. An apparatus for generating air pressure and air pressure pulses in an air core having a flexible wall and an internal air chamber surrounding the upper body of a person to apply repetitive pressure pulses to said upper body of the person comprising:

a casing surrounding an air pulsing chamber, means connected to the air pulsing chamber for carrying air and air pressure pulses from the air pulsing chamber to the internal chamber of the air core whereby the air pressure pulses apply repetitive pressure pulse forces to the upper body of the person, said casing having a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening, a first diaphragm extended across the first opening of the casing, a first cover located over and spaced from the first diaphragm having a first pumping chamber in communication with the first diaphragm, first means securing the first cover and first diaphragm to the casing, a second diaphragm extended across the second opening of the casing, a second cover located over and spaced from the second diaphragm having a second pumping chamber in communication with the second diaphragm, second means securing the second cover and second diaphragm to the casing, said casing having an internal wall separating the pulsing chamber from a manifold chamber, said manifold chamber being in air communication with said first and second pumping chambers, a one-way valve mounted on the internal wall operable to allow air to flow from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber and prevent the flow of air from the pulsing chamber back to the manifold chamber, air flow regulating means for restricting the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber to control the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, said air flow regulating means including an adjustable member operable to adjust the rate of the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber thereby regulating the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, a first motion transmission assembly connected to the first diaphragm operable to linearly move the first diaphragm relative to the pulsing and first pumping chambers, a second motion transmission assembly connected to the second diaphragm operable to linearly move the second diaphragm relative to the pulsing and second pumping chambers, a variable speed motor, power transmission means connecting the motor to the first and second motion transmission assemblies whereby on operation of the motor the first and second motion transmission assemblies linearly reciprocate the first and second diaphragms to pulse air in the pulsing chamber and cause air to flow from the manifold chamber into and out of the first and second pumping chambers and increase the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, said one-way valve allowing air to flow from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber and from the pulsing chamber into the air chamber of the air core when the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber is greater than the pressure of the air in the pulsing chamber, and a controller connected to the motor operable to vary the speed of the motor to regulate the reciprocating movements of the diaphragms thereby regulating the frequency of the air pulses in the pulsing chamber and air chamber of the air core thereby regulating the frequency of the repetitive pressure pulse forces applied to the upper body of the person.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 including:

a timer connected to the controller for controlling the duration of electric power to said controller to regulate the duration of operation of the motor, said timer including an on-off switch operable to start the time and terminate electric power to the controller thereby stopping operation of the motor.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein:

the first and second diaphragms each has a rigid plate and a flexible member surrounding and secured to the plate, said flexible member being secured to said casing with one of the first and second means, and fastener means directly securing each plate to a motion transmission assembly.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein:

each flexible member has a continuous accordion fold section surrounding the plate to minimize stretching of the flexible member during linear reciprocating movements of the diaphragms.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein:

the adjustable member of the air flow regulating means comprises a valve having a passage to allow air to flow through the valve, an air flow restrictor located in the passage to regulate the flow of air through said passage, and a control connected to the restrictor to adjust the position of the restrictor relative to the passage thereby adjust the flow of air through said passage.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein:

the control includes a manual operated member useable by a person to adjust the position of the restrictor relative to the passage thereby adjusting the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 including:

a porous member connected to the valve to allow air to flow through the porous member into the passage of the valve.

20. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein:

the air flow regulating means includes an air flow modulator located downstream from the adjustable member, said modulator having a passage allowing air to flow into and out of the manifold chamber.

21. The apparatus of claim 13 including:

a member mounted on the casing having a passage open to the manifold chamber and air flow regulating means, an air flow modulator mounted on the member having a passage allowing air to flow from the air flow regulating means into and out of the manifold chamber.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein:

said member has a hole allowing limited air flow into and out of the manifold chamber.

23. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein:

said one-way valve has a housing mounted on the internal wall, said housing having a passage open to the pulsating chamber and manifold chamber, and a valving member located in said passage operable to allow air to flow from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber and prevent the flow of air from the pulsing chamber back to the manifold chamber.

24. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein:

the first and second motion transmission assembly each has a cross member located in the pulsing chamber secured to the casing, said cross member having spaced parallel guide surfaces extended normal to the diaphragms, a yoke located in slidable engagement with said guide surfaces and movable in opposite directions normal to said diaphragms, fastener means directly securing the yoke to the diaphragm, said yoke having an opening, a slide block located in said opening for movement normal to the movement of the yoke, said block having a cylindrical bore, an eccentric located in said bore, a shaft secured to the eccentric drivably connected to power transmission means whereby on operation of the motor the shaft is rotated to turn the eccentric and linearly move the yoke in opposite linear directions and reciprocate the diaphragms in opposite linear directions.

25. An apparatus for generating air pressure and air pressure pulses in an enclosure comprising:

a casing having an air pulsing chamber and an opening, a diaphragm mounted on the casing closing the opening, means having a passage adapted to connect the casing to the enclosure for carrying air and air pressure pulses to the enclosure, a cover located over and spaced from the diaphragm having a pumping chamber, means securing the cover and diaphragm to the casing, said casing having an internal wall separating the pulsing chamber from a manifold chamber, said manifold chamber being in air communication with said pumping chamber, at least one valve mounted on the internal wall operable to allow air to flow from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber and prevent air to flow back from the pulsing chamber into the manifold chamber, air flow regulating means for restricting the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber to control the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, drive means connected to the diaphragm operable to reciprocate the diaphragm relative to the pumping chamber, a variable speed motor connected to the drive means whereby on operation of the motor the drive means reciprocates the diaphragm to pulse air in the pulsing chamber and cause air to flow from the manifold chamber into and out of the pumping chamber and increase the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, said valve allowing air to flow from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber when the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber is greater than the pressure of the air in the pulsing chamber, and a controller connected to the motor operable to vary the speed of the motor to regulate the reciprocating movement of the diaphragm thereby regulating the frequency of the air pulses in the pulsing chamber and enclosure.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 including:

a timer connected to the controller for controlling the duration of electric power to said controller to regulate the duration of operation of the motor, said timer including an on-off switch operable to start the timer and terminate electric power to the controller thereby stopping the operation of the motor.

27. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein:

the diaphragm has a rigid plate and a flexible member surrounding and secured to the plate, said flexible member being secured to said casing with the means securing the cover and diaphragm to the casing, and fastener means directly securing the plate to said drive means.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein:

the flexible member has a continuous accordion fold section surrounding the plate to minimize stretching of the flexible member during reciprocating movements of the diaphragm.

29. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein:

the air flow regulating means includes a valve having a passage to allow air to flow through the valve, an air flow restrictor located in the passage to regulate the flow of air through said passage, and a control connected to the restrictor to adjust the position of the restrictor relative to the passage thereby adjust the flow of air through said passage.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein:

the control includes a manual operated member useable by a person to adjust the position of the restrictor relative to the passage thereby adjusting the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber.

31. The apparatus of claim 29 including:

a porous member connected to the valve to allow air to flow through the porous member into the passage of the valve.

32. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein:

the air flow regulating means includes an air flow modulator located downstream from the adjustable member, said modulator having a passage allowing air to flow into and out of the manifold chamber.

33. The apparatus of claim 25 including:

a member mounted on the casing having a passage open to the manifold chamber and air flow regulating means, an air flow modulator mounted on the member having a passage allowing air to flow from the air flow regulating means into and out of the manifold chamber.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein:

said member has a hole allowing limited air flow into and out of the manifold chamber.

35. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein:

said one-way valve has a housing mounted on the internal wall, said housing having a passage open to the pulsating chamber and manifold chamber, and a valving member located in said passage operable to allow air to flow from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber and prevent the flow of air from the pulsing chamber back to the manifold chamber.

36. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein:

the drive means has a cross member located in the pulsing chamber secured to the casing, said cross member having spaced parallel guide surfaces extended normal to the diaphragm, a yoke located in slidable engagement with said guide surfaces and movable in opposite directions normal to said diaphragm, fastener means directly securing the yoke to the diaphragm, said yoke having an opening, a slide block located in said opening for movement normal to the movement of the yoke, said block having a cylindrical bore, an eccentric located in said bore, a shaft secured to the eccentric drivably connected to power transmission means whereby on operation of the motor the shaft is rotated to turn the eccentric and linearly move the yoke in opposite linear directions and reciprocate the diaphragm in opposite linear directions.

37. An apparatus for generating air pressure and air pressure pulses in an air core having a flexible wall and an internal air chamber surrounding the upper body of a person to apply repetitive pressure pulses to said upper body of the person comprising:

a casing having an air pulsing chamber and an opening, a diaphragm mounted on the casing closing the opening, means having a passage adapted to connect the casing to the air chamber of the air core for carrying air and air pressure pulses to the air chamber of the air core to apply repetitive pressure pulses to the upper body of the person, a cover located over and spaced from the diaphragm having a pumping chamber, means securing the cover and diaphragm to the casing, said casing having an internal wall separating the pulsing chamber from a manifold chamber, said manifold chamber being in air communication with said pumping chamber, at least one valve mounted on the internal wall operable to allow air to flow from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber and prevent air to flow back from the pulsing chamber into the manifold chamber, air flow regulating means for restricting the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber to control the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, drive means connected to the diaphragm operable to reciprocate the diaphragm relative to the pumping and pulsing chamber, a variable speed motor connected to the drive means whereby on operation of the motor the drive means reciprocates the diaphragm to pulse air in the pulsing chamber and air chamber of the air core and cause air to flow from the manifold chamber into and out of the pumping chamber and increase the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, said valve allowing air to flow from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber and air chamber of the air core when the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber is greater than the pressure of the air in the pulsing chamber, and a controller connected to the motor operable to vary the speed of the motor to regulate the reciprocating movement of the diaphragm thereby regulating the frequency of the air pulses in the pulsing chamber and air chamber of the air core thereby regulating the frequency of the pressure pulses applied to the upper body of the person.

38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein:

the diaphragm has a rigid plate and a flexible member surrounding and secured to the plate, said flexible member being secured to said casing with the means securing the cover and diaphragm to the casing, and fastener means directly securing the plate to said drive means.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein:

the flexible member has a continuous accordion fold section surrounding the plate to minimize stretching of the flexible member during reciprocating movements of the diaphragm.

40. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein:

the air flow regulating means includes a valve having a passage to allow air to flow through the valve, an air flow restrictor located in the passage to regulate the flow of air through said passage, and a control connected to the restrictor to adjust the position of the restrictor relative to the passage thereby adjust the flow of air through said passage.

41. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein:

the control includes a manual operated member useable by a person to adjust the position of the restrictor relative to the passage thereby adjusting the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber.

42. The apparatus of claim 40 including:

a porous member connected to the valve to allow air to flow through the porous member into the passage of the valve.

43. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein:

the air flow regulating means includes an air flow modulator located downstream from the adjustable member, said modulator having a passage allowing air to flow into and out of the manifold chamber.

44. The apparatus of claim 37 including:

a member mounted on the casing having a passage open to the manifold chamber and air flow regulating means, an air flow modulator mounted on the member having a passage allowing air to flow from the air flow regulating means into and out of the manifold chamber.

45. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein:

said member has a hole allowing limited air flow into and out of the manifold chamber.

46. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein:

said one-way valve has a housing mounted on the internal wall, said housing having a passage open to the pulsating chamber and manifold chamber, and a valving member located in said passage operable to allow air to flow from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber and prevent the flow of air from the pulsing chamber back to the manifold chamber.

47. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein:

the drive means has a cross member located in the pulsing chamber secured to the casing, said cross member having spaced parallel guide surfaces extended normal to the diaphragm, a yoke located in slidable engagement with said guide surfaces and movable in opposite directions normal to said diaphragm, fastener means directly securing the yoke to the diaphragm, said yoke having an opening, a slide block located in said opening for movement normal to the movement of the yoke, said block having a cylindrical bore, an eccentric located in said bore, a shaft secured to the eccentric drivably connected to power transmission means whereby on operation of the motor the shaft is rotated to turn the eccentric and linearly move the yoke in opposite linear directions and reciprocate the diaphragm in opposite linear directions.

48. The apparatus of claim 37 including:

a timer connected to the controller for controlling the duration of electric power to said controller to regulate the duration of operation of the motor, said timer including an on-off switch operable to start the timer and terminate electric power to the controller thereby stopping the operation of the motor.

49. A method of generating air pressure and air pressure pulses with first and second diaphragms separating and air pulsing chamber from first and second air pumping chambers and a wall supporting a one-way valve separating the pulsing chamber from an air manifold chamber comprising:

reciprocating the first and second diaphragms toward each other and away from each other relative to the pulsing chamber and first and second pumping chambers to pulse air in the pulsing chamber and cause air to flow into the pumping chambers when the first and second diaphragms are moved toward each other and cause air to flow out of the pumping chambers into the manifold chamber when the diaphragms are moved away from each other, allowing air and air pressure pulses to flow from the pulsing chamber when the diaphragms are moved toward each other, restricting the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber during reciprocation of the first and second diaphragms to regulate the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, allowing air to flow through the one-way valve from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber when the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber is greater than the pressure of the air in the pulsing chamber, and regulating the rate of reciprocation of the diaphragms to regulate the frequency of the air pressure pulses in the pulsing chamber.

50. The method of claim 49 including:

adjusting the restriction of the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber to change the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber.

51. The method of claim 49 wherein:

the regulation of the rate of reciprocation of the first and second diaphragms is achieved by changing the speed of reciprocation of the first and second diaphragms.

52. The method of claim 49 including:

modulating the flow of air into the manifold chamber after the restriction of the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber.

53. A method of applying pressure pulsing forces to the thorax of a person with a flexible air core having an internal air chamber coupled to an air pump and pulsator having a diaphragm separating an air pulsing chamber from an air pumping chamber and a wall having a one-way valve separating the pulsing chamber from an air manifold chamber comprising:

surrounding a person'"'"'s thorax with the flexible air core, reciprocating the diaphragm relative to the pulsing chamber and pumping chamber to pulse air in the pulsing chamber and cause air to flow from the manifold chamber into and out of the pumping chamber, transferring air and air pressure pulses from the pulsing chamber to the air chamber of the air core, said air pressure pulses applying inward pressure forces to the thorax of the person, restricting the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber during reciprocation of the diaphragm to regulate the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, allowing air to flow through the one-way valve from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber when the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber is greater than the pressure of the air in the pulsing chamber thereby increasing the pressure of the air in the pulsing chamber and air chamber of the air core and the pressure of the air core on the thorax of the person, and regulating the rate of reciprocation of the diaphragm to regulate the frequency of the air pulses in the pulsing chamber and air chamber of the air core thereby regulating the frequency of the pressure pulsing forces applied to the thorax of the person.

54. The method of claim 53 wherein:

the diaphragm is linearly reciprocated by moving the diaphragm into the pulsing chamber to pulse air in the pulsing chamber and draw air into the manifold chamber and pumping chamber and moving the diaphragm into the pumping chamber to force air out of the pumping chamber into the manifold chamber to increase the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber and cause air to flow from the manifold chamber through the one-way valve into the pumping chamber when the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber is greater than the pressure of the air in the pulsing chamber.

55. The method of claim 53 including:

adjusting the restriction of the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber to change the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber.

56. The method of claim 53 wherein:

the regulation of the rate of reciprocation of the diaphragm is achieved by changing the speed of reciprocation of the diaphragm.

57. The method of claim 53 including:

modulating the flow of air into the manifold chamber after the restriction of the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber.

58. The method of claim 53 including:

allowing leakage of air from the air chamber through the air core during pulsing of air in the air chamber.

63. The method of claim 53 including:

directing air and air pressure pulses into the air receiving passage of the air core, and directing air and air pressure upwardly from the air receiving passage into the air chamber of the air core.

64. The method of claim 53 including:

allowing leakage of air from the air chamber through the air core during the pulsing of air in the air chamber.

59. A method of applying pressure pulsing forces to the thorax of a person with a flexible air core having an internal air chamber and an air receiving passage located below and in air communication with the internal chamber connected with a hose to an air pump and pulsator having first and second diaphragms separating an air pulsing chamber from first and second air pumping chambers and a wall supporting a one-way valve separating the pulsing chamber from an air manifold chamber comprising:

surrounding a person'"'"'s thorax with the flexible air core, reciprocating the first and second diaphragms toward each other and away from each other relative to the pulsing chamber and first and second pumping chambers to pulse air in the pulsing chamber and the air chamber of the air core and cause air to flow into the first and second pumping chambers when the first and second diaphragms are moved toward each other and cause air to flow out of the first and second pumping chambers into the manifold chamber when the first and second diaphragms are moved away from each other, restricting the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber during reciprocation of the first and second diaphragms to regulate the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, allowing air to flow through the one-way valve from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber when the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber is greater than the pressure of the air in the pulsing chamber thereby increasing the pressure of the air in the pulsing chamber and air chamber of the air core and the pressure of the air core on the thorax of the person, and regulating the rate of reciprocation of the first and second diaphragms to regulate the frequency of the air pulses in the pulsing chamber and air chamber of the air core thereby regulating the frequency of the pressure pulses applied to the thorax of the person.

60. The method of claim 59 including:

adjusting the restriction of the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber to change the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber.

61. The method of claim 59 wherein:

the regulation of the rate of reciprocation of the first and second diaphragms is achieved by changing the speed of reciprocation of the first and second diaphragms.

62. The method of claim 59 including:

modulating the flow of air into the manifold chamber after the restriction of the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber.

65. A method of generating air pressure and air pressure pulses with a diaphragm separating an air pulsing chamber from an air pumping chamber and a wall having a one-way valve separating the pulsing chamber from an air manifold chamber comprising:

reciprocating the diaphragm relative to the pulsing chamber and pumping chamber to pulse air in the pulsing chamber and cause air to flow from the manifold chamber into and out of the pumping chamber, allowing air and air pressure pulses to flow from the pulsing chamber, restricting the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber during reciprocation of the diaphragm to regulate the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber, allowing air to flow through the one-way valve from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber when the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber is greater than the pressure of the air in the pulsing chamber, and regulating the rate of reciprocation of the diaphragm to regulate the frequency of the air pulses in the pulsing chamber.

66. The method of claim 65 wherein:

the diaphragm is linearly reciprocated by moving the diaphragm into the pulsing chamber to pulse air in the pulsing chamber and draw air into the manifold chamber and pumping chamber and moving the diaphragm into the pumping chamber to force air out of the pumping chamber into the manifold chamber to increase the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber and cause air to flow from the manifold chamber through the one-way valve into the pumping chamber when the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber is greater than the pressure of the air in the pulsing chamber.

67. The method of claim 65 including:

adjusting the restriction of the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber to change the pressure of the air in the manifold chamber.

68. The method of claim 65 wherein:

the regulation of the rate of reciprocation of the diaphragm is achieved by changing the speed of reciprocation of the diaphragm.

69. The method of claim 65 including:

modulating the flow of air into the manifold chamber after the restriction of the flow of air into and out of the manifold chamber.