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.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A pressurizable chamber for a differential air pressure system, comprising:
 an inflatable enclosure having an inner surface and an outer surface;   an user opening in the inflatable enclosure sized to accommodate a user;   a releasable user seal having a skirt and a deformable rim wherein in use a portion of the deformable rim and a portion of the skirt are placed against the inner surface of the inflatable enclosure to form a sufficiently airtight junction allowing the inflatable enclosure to maintain its inflated state;   an adjustable frame coupled to the outer surface of the inflatable enclosure wherein the adjustable frame controls at least one of a width and a height of the flexible inflatable enclosure in its inflated state to reduce interference of the inflated enclosure with arm or leg motion of a user wearing the releasable user seal within the user opening whose lower body is sealed into the pressurizable chamber and whose upper body is outside of the pressurizable chamber.   
     
     
         3 . The pressurizable chamber for a differential air pressure system of  claim 2  the adjustable frame further comprising at least one contoured section to accommodate arm or leg motion of the user positioned within the user opening. 
     
     
         4 . The pressurizable chamber for a differential air pressure system of  claim 2  wherein the user opening is a circular opening. 
     
     
         5 . The pressurizable chamber for a differential air pressure system of  claim 2  wherein the releasable user seal is shaped to accommodate the shape of the waistline of the user. 
     
     
         6 . The pressurizable chamber for a differential air pressure system of  claim 2  wherein the releasable user seal comprises an airtight material and non-airtight material. 
     
     
         7 . The pressurizable chamber for a differential air pressure system of  claim 2  wherein a portion of the adjustable frame is within one or more sleeves or loops of the inflatable enclosure. 
     
     
         8 . The pressurizable chamber for a differential air pressure system of  claim 2  further comprising one or more transparent sections in the inflatable enclosure. 
     
     
         9 . The pressurizable chamber for a differential air pressure system of  claim 2  further comprising an exercise platform positioned within the inflatable enclosure beneath the user opening. 
     
     
         10 . The pressurizable chamber for a differential air pressure system of  claim 2  further comprising an exercise machine positioned within the inflatable enclosure beneath the user opening. 
     
     
         11 . The pressurizable chamber for a differential air pressure system of  claim 10  wherein an operation of the exercise machine is modified using a control console outside of the inflatable enclosure and within reach of a user positioned within the user opening. 
     
     
         12 . The pressurizable chamber for a differential air pressure system of  claim 10  wherein the exercise machine is a treadmill. 
     
     
         13 . The pressurizable chamber for a differential air pressure system of  claim 2  further comprising a height adjustment assembly coupled to the adjustable frame wherein operation of the height adjustment assembly increases or decreases the vertical position of the user opening in the inflatable enclosure relative to a base of the pressurizable chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The pressurizable chamber for a differential air pressure system of  claim 13  wherein the height adjustment assembly increases or decreases the vertical position of the user opening by selecting one of a series of evenly spaced height settings. 
     
     
         15 . The pressurizable chamber for a differential air pressure system of  claim 13  wherein operation of a mechanical lift assembly causes the height adjustment assembly to increase or decrease the vertical position of the user opening. 
     
     
         16 . The pressurizable chamber for a differential air pressure system of  claim 13  wherein the height adjustment assembly accommodates a setting wherein the user seal is inclined relative to a platform or an exercise machine positioned within the pressurizble chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The pressurizable chamber for a differential air pressure system of  claim 2  further comprising a user interface system within reach of a user within the user opening configured to adjust an unweighting amount provided by the inflatable enclosure while the inflatable enclosure is in its inflated state. 
     
     
         18 . The pressurizable chamber for a differential air pressure system of  claim 17  wherein the unweighting amount provided by the inflatable enclosure is indicated as a percentage of a bodyweight of the user in the user seal.