Abstract: Described herein are fields of exercise or therapy systems in particular exercise or therapy systems that controllably generate and maintain an unweighted environment using a mechanical system or a differential air pressure (DAP) envelope about a user so as to at least partially or completely unweight the user. This application also relates to improved control systems for pressure chambers for use in differential air pressure (DAP) systems including data collection and utilization for general fitness use, athletic use, or medical use treadmills and related software, control and analytics systems, especially as related to obtaining gait data from load cells provided in the system.

Abstract: There is described an integrated unweighted gait training system having an unweighting system comprising a computer controller; a gait measurement system in communication with the controller; and a display in communication with the computer controller adapted and configured to provide real-time feedback to a user of the integrated unweighting gait training system. The unweighting system may be a differential air pressure (DAP) unweighting system or a non-DAP unweighting system.

Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of differential air pressure systems and methods of using and calibration such systems for individuals with impaired mobility. The differential air pressure systems may include an access assist device configured to help a mobility impaired user to stand in a pressure chamber configured to apply a positive pressure on a portion of the user's body in the sealed pressure chamber. The system may also include load sensors configured to measure the user's weight exerted inside and outside the chamber. The system may be calibrated by determining a relationship between the actual weight of the user and the pressure in the chamber, where the actual weight of the user may be measured by more than one load sensor and at least one load sensor is not in the pressure chamber.

Abstract: The invention comprises a differential air pressure exercise system, comprising: a base; a pair of uprights on the base dividing the base into a front portion and a rear portion; a bulkhead extending between and vertically moveable relative to the uprights; a right arm and a left arm attached to the bulkhead extending from the bulkhead towards the base rear portion; a chamber support frame coupling element on the right arm and on the left arm; a hinge coupled to the bulkhead between the left and right arms; a chamber support frame extending between the left and right arms and coupled to the hinge to move between an engaged condition and a lowered condition.

Abstract: An orthosis includes a first portion and a second portion configured to attach on opposite sides of a joint. An actuator is configured to apply a force between the first and second portions. The actuator includes a first spool and a second spool rotatably mounted to the first portion. An output pulley is mounted to the second portion. A belt has a first end wrapped around the first spool, a second end wrapped around the second spool, and a mid-portion wrapped around the output pulley. The actuator is configured to rotate the first and second spools. The rotation of the first spool pulls the belt a given length, and the rotation of the second spool feeds the belt less than the given length, so as to pull the output pulley towards the first portion to pull the second portion towards the first portion.

Abstract: An unweighting system includes a frame having a pair of upright bars, and a cantilevered arm assembly, and a pair of resilient members. The frame is configured to connect to or at least partially encircle an exercise device. The cantilevered arm assembly includes a pair of cantilevers. Each cantilever is attached to one of the upright bars, and the pair of cantilevers is configured to receive and couple to the user to unload a portion of the user's weight as the user exercises on the exercise device while coupled to the pair of cantilevers.

Abstract: There is described an integrated unweighted gait training system having an unweighting system comprising a computer controller; a gait measurement system in communication with the controller; and a display in communication with the computer controller adapted and configured to provide real-time feedback to a user of the integrated unweighting gait training system. The unweighting system may be a differential air pressure (DAP) unweighting system or a non-DAP unweighting system.

Abstract: An unweighting system includes a frame, a pair of front pulleys, a pair of rear pulleys, a first cable, and a second cable. The frame is configured to be attached to or placed at least partially around an exercise device and includes a front portion and a rear portion. The pair of front pulleys is coupled to the front portion. The pair of rear pulleys is coupled to the rear portion. A first cable passes through a first of the pair of front pulleys and through a first of the pair of rear pulleys. A second cable passes through a second of the pair of front pulleys and through a second of the pair of rear pulleys. The first and second cables are configured to couple with a user to unload a portion of the user's weight as the user exercises on the exercise device.

Abstract: The invention relates to embodiments of methods for extending a subject-controllable range of joint motion, and for increasing subject control of joint movement within a range of motion. Embodiments include fastening a powered device around a joint so as to be able to control the joint, allowing the subject to move the joint within a range of volitional motion, and then engaging the powered device to support movement of the joint into an expanded, rehabilitative range. In some embodiments, the device supports joint movement by substantially providing the force to move the joint beyond the volitional boundary. In other embodiments, supporting movement includes the subject substantially providing the force, and the device allowing movement only in a desired direction. The invention further relates to a system for increasing the functional capability of a joint by implementing embodiments of the method.

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.

Abstract: An unweighting system includes a frame having a base and a vertical bar extending therefrom. The base is configured to connect to or at least partially encircle an exercise device. A height adjustable cantilevered arm assembly is coupled to the vertical bar at a fulcrum, and the cantilevered arm assembly is configured to receive and couple to the user. A resilient member is coupled to the cantilevered arm assembly and configured to unload a portion of the user's weight while the user is coupled to the cantilevered arm assembly and exercises on the exercise device.

Abstract: An orthosis includes a first portion and a second portion configured to attach on opposite sides of a joint. An actuator is configured to apply a force between the first and second portions. The actuator includes a first spool and a second spool rotatably mounted to the first portion. An output pulley is mounted to the second portion. A belt has a first end wrapped around the first spool, a second end wrapped around the second spool, and a mid-portion wrapped around the output pulley. The actuator is configured to rotate the first and second spools. The rotation of the first spool pulls the belt a given length, and the rotation of the second spool feeds the belt less than the given length, so as to pull the output pulley towards the first portion to pull the second portion towards the first portion.

Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of differential air pressure systems and methods of using such systems. The differential air pressure system may comprise a chamber configured to receive a portion of a user's lower body and to create an air pressure differential upon the user's body. The differential air pressure system may further comprise a user seal that seal the pressure chamber to the user's body. The height of the user seal may be adjusted to accommodate users with various body heights.

Abstract: Portable devices and methods for preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) by assuring that the ankle is flexed and extended sufficiently to promote blood flow in the lower leg are disclosed. The device includes an actuator with a free movement mode that allows a patient to move freely between activations or to initiate movement to delay a next automatic activation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for management and scheduling of differential air pressure (DAP) and other unweighted or assisted treatment systems are provided. The methods and systems can include generation of a suggested workout based on matching user data to data of other users sharing similar characteristics using an aggregate database of user information and related workout information. The methods and systems can include matching a user to an available and/or appropriate DAP system. Also provided are methods and systems including performing a workout and uploading performance information to an aggregate database of user information.

Abstract: A foot pad device includes a foot pad, force sensors that provide force data, sensor electronics coupled to the force sensors, and a processor. The foot pad includes a ball region configured to be located under a ball of the foot of the user or a heel region configured to be located under a heel of the foot of the user. At least a portion of the force sensors is located in the ball region or the heel region of the foot pad. The sensor electronics include a flexible circuit with force sensor connection paths adapted to transmit force data from the force sensors and are configured to condition the force data to be within a conditioned force data range. The processor is configured to calculate a weight value based on the conditioned force data, a gain value, and an offset value.

Abstract: A system is provided by applying pressure to a portion of a body of an individual in a chamber having an aperture along a vertical axis for receiving the portion of the body of the individual. A pressure sensor is coupled to the chamber for measuring a pressure inside the chamber. A negative feedback control system, calibrates, adjusts and maintains the pressure inside the chamber.

Abstract: A multi-fit orthotic structure including an attachment system for coupling the orthotic structure to a wide variety of subjects without requiring a custom fit. In one embodiment, active mobility assistance is provided via an orthotic system capable of integrating a linear actuator and linkage system to deliver torque to the lower leg of a subject to facilitate flexion and/or extension motion of the subject's leg. The orthotic structure is attached to the subject using a textile suspension system which does not require the orthotic structure to interface directly in the knee region or at the lateral areas of the thigh and calf of the subject, thus providing an ideal fit for the widest possible range of subjects with the minimum number of required sizes.

Abstract: A method for controlling movement using an active powered device including an actuator, joint position sensor, muscle stress sensor, and control system. The device provides primarily muscle support although it is capable of additionally providing joint support (hence the name “active muscle assistance device”). The device is designed for operation in several modes to provide either assistance or resistance to a muscle for the purpose of enhancing mobility, preventing injury, or building muscle strength. The device is designed to operate autonomously or coupled with other like device(s) to provide simultaneous assistance or resistance to multiple muscles.

Abstract: A foot pad device and a method of obtaining weight data from a force sensor in a foot pad worn by a user engaging in a footstep, including placing the force sensor under the ball of the foot of the user and/or the heel of the foot of the user; receiving an entered patient weight value for the user; collecting force data from the force sensor; calculating a weight value based on the collected force data and a scaling and/or offset parameter; comparing the calculated weight value to the entered patient weight value; comparing the calculated weight value to zero; adjusting the scaling and/or offset parameter; and repeating the steps periodically. The method may include comparing the collected force data to a functionality indication range, flagging the force sensor if the collected force data is outside the functionality indication range, and disregarding force data from the flagged force sensor.