Abstract: An unweighting system for unweighting a user while using an exercise machine is provided that includes a treadmill exercise device having a treadmill frame and a rotatable belt, an unweighting assembly for applying unweighting force to the user, a system frame, and a substantially airtight chamber. The system frame includes the treadmill frame, frame elements structurally attached to the treadmill frame, and a top surface region adapted for user engagement during exercise having a surface width and a surface length. The top surface region includes a movable running surface defined by the rotatable belt that extends a run length, and a stationary deck extending about at least a portion of the movable running surface. The stationary deck defines a sealing surface having a maximum seal width greater than the belt width and less than the surface width, to which the substantially airtight chamber is attached.

Abstract: A method for controlling a DAP system is provided that includes calculating a user seal interface height based on an estimated user height, and based thereon determining an attachment carriage height and a usage carriage height different than the user seal interface height. The method also includes driving powered vertical lifts to raise each carriage to an attachment position at the attachment carriage height while the user is in the DAP system through the top opening including raising about the user the seal frame attached to the carriages and thereby raising the top opening attached to the seal frame, and also controlling the lifts to retain the attachment position during user seal attachment and confirming the attachment. Responsive to confirming, the method includes driving the lifts to move each carriage to a usage position at the usage carriage height and inflating the enclosure to an unweighting.

Abstract: An inflatable unweighting enclosure for an exercise device is provided formed from a pair of opposing sheets attached to each other by a seam along a closed shape at their perimeter portions, each of which has a top region, an opposite base region, and central region. A trim path interrupts each articulated shape at the base region that defines a perimeter of a base opening for the enclosure when inflated, in which the base and base opening are substantially planar and the base perimeter defines an enclosure inlet. When inflated, the pair of flexible sheets expand laterally apart to define an enclosure inner space and form an elongate, disc-shaped structure interrupted by the base opening. The base opening attaches to a base support of the exercise device, which is shaped and sized to orient and support the enclosure vertically for providing unweighting to a user attached to a top opening.

Abstract: An inflatable belt 100 for use in a BFR system with an outer belt material 102 hermetically sealed to an inner belt material 101 along a perimeter, thereby forming at least one inflatable chamber 103, the inflatable chamber having an input port 104 for accepting a gas into the chamber, the inflatable belt further comprising a first fastening means 110 in communication with the outer belt material, for attaching to a second fastening means 111 in communication with the outer belt material, thereby locking a circumference of the inflatable belt when wrapped around a user's limb, the inflatable belt providing sufficient volume and compliance so as to reduce spikes in pressure and thereby improve comfort and safety of the inflatable belt for use in restriction of blood flow for muscle development.

Abstract: A DAP unweighting system for unweighting a user while using an exercise machine is provided that includes an unweighting assembly having a substantially airtight chamber formed about at least a portion of the exercise machine that includes a user seal for encapsulating a portion of the user, and at least one additional frame member for securing to the exercise machine frame element to secure the chamber to the exercise machine. The exercise machine can include a treadmill having a belt extending a belt length in a longitudinal direction of the unweighting system The at least one additional frame member can have a frame member length less than the belt length that can be oriented substantially parallel with the belt when securing the chamber to the treadmill.

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.

Abstract: An inflatable belt 100 for use in a BFR system with an outer belt material 102 hermetically sealed to an inner belt material 101 along a perimeter, thereby forming at least one inflatable chamber 103, the inflatable chamber having an input port 104 for accepting a gas into the chamber, the inflatable belt further comprising a first fastening means 110 in communication with the outer belt material, for attaching to a second fastening means 111 in communication with the outer belt material, thereby locking a circumference of the inflatable belt when wrapped around a user's limb, the inflatable belt providing sufficient volume and compliance so as to reduce spikes in pressure and thereby improve comfort and safety of the inflatable belt for use in restriction of blood flow for muscle development.

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: A support platform for retaining a DAP system inflatable enclosure is provided that includes a top cover including a support surface defining a truncated access opening, a bottom cover including a panel, and a plurality of side covers each including a panel, in which the top, bottom and side covers are connected to form an airtight platform defining an interior for retaining an exercise device. A base opening of the enclosure can be secured at a perimeter region of the access opening above the exercise device. The platform further includes an exercise device upper interface for securing the support surface to an upper region of the exercise device, a lower interface for securing a lower region of the exercise device to the bottom cover or ground, and a blower interface for forming an airtight connection with a blower. The truncated access opening limits pneumatic forces secured by the exercise device.

Abstract: A height-adjustable seal frame structure for a DAP exercise system has a seal frame, opposing lateral vertical lifts, and opposing lateral tensile restraints. The seal frame defines opposing lateral side restraint connectors and can be attached to an inflatable enclosure top portion about a user port. The vertical lifts can be attached at lateral sides of the system and a longitudinal position proximate the user port for vertically driving a carriage to adjust height. The first end each tensile restraint can securely attach to a lift carriage connector and the second end can securely attach to the corresponding restraint connector at a restraint length therebetween. In use, the seal frame can be retained in a floating arrangement forced upward solely by the enclosure top portion and restrained downward against the upward force at a seal frame height by the tensile restraints. Quick disconnects can permit manual seal frame release.

Abstract: A method for controlling a DAP system is provided that includes calculating a user seal interface height based on an estimated user height, and based thereon determining an attachment carriage height and a usage carriage height different than the user seal interface height. The method also includes driving powered vertical lifts to raise each carriage to an attachment position at the attachment carriage height while the user is in the DAP system through the top opening including raising about the user the seal frame attached to the carriages and thereby raising the top opening attached to the seal frame, and also controlling the lifts to retain the attachment position during user seal attachment and confirming the attachment. Responsive to confirming, the method includes driving the lifts to move each carriage to a usage position at the usage carriage height and inflating the enclosure to an unweighting.

Abstract: A height-adjustable DAP exercise system is provided having a support platform, an inflatable enclosure secured to the support platform at a base opening through the enclosure and extending vertically therefrom when inflated, and a top frame attached to the enclosure at an enclosure top opening. The DAP system further includes adjustable lift restraints each having a restraint length between first and second ends and configured for adjustment between a first restraint length and at least one second restraint length, in which each first end of each lift restraint is attached to a middle portion of the enclosure and each second end is attached to the top frame or the base. The enclosure height is adjustable between a first and second enclosure height responsive to adjustments for lift restraint lengths. The system also includes a low height safety harness for the top frame and related methods.