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 . A structure for enclosing and sealing a portion of a body of a user into a differential air pressure system, the structure comprising:
 a chamber; and   a user seal coupled to the chamber, the user seal comprising an adjustable opening that is capable of receiving and sealing around a user's body so that at least a portion of the user's body is sealed into the chamber,   wherein a sufficiently airtight junction is formed between the user's body and the chamber so that a nonzero differential pressure can be sustained in the chamber, and the adjustable opening is capable of accommodating a range of user body sizes.   
     
     
         2 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the user seal comprises a plurality of expansion slits distributed circumferentially around a perimeter of user seal, and one or more of the expansion slits can be selectively closed or opened by the user to adjust a size of the opening in the user seal. 
     
     
         3 . A user seal configured for use in a differential pressure system, wherein:
 the user seal is configured to be coupled to a chamber of a differential pressure system; and   the user seal comprises an opening that is capable of receiving and sealing around a user's body so that at least a portion of the user's body is sealed into the chamber,   wherein a sufficiently airtight junction is formed between the user's body and the chamber so that a nonzero differential pressure can be sustained in the chamber, and the user seal is configured to allow the user to rotate his body relative to the chamber while maintaining the sufficiently airtight junction between the chamber and the user's body.   
     
     
         4 . The user seal of  claim 3 , comprising:
 an outer structure coupled to the chamber; and   an inner structure comprising the opening that is capable of receiving and sealing around the user's body,   wherein the inner structure is configured to mate with the outer structure, and the inner structure is configured to rotate relative to the outer structure about a rotational axis of the outer structure.   
     
     
         5 . A user seal configured for use in a differential pressure system, wherein:
 the user seal is configured to be coupled to a chamber of a differential pressure system; and   the user seal comprises an opening that is capable of receiving and sealing around a user's body so that at least a portion of the user's body is sealed into the chamber,   wherein a sufficiently airtight junction is formed between the user's body and the chamber so that a nonzero differential pressure can be sustained in the chamber, and the user seal is configured to be anchored to the user's body so that the user seal maintains a relatively stable vertical position along the body of the user as pressure in the chamber is varied.   
     
     
         6 . The user seal of  claim 5 , comprising a body wrap that is anchored to a user's body, the body wrap comprising a plurality of flexible flaps, wherein the plurality of flexible flaps are wrapped around one or more body parts of the user and secured to provide a grip between the body wrap and the user's body. 
     
     
         7 . A user seal configured for use in a differential pressure system, wherein:
 the user seal is configured to be coupled to a chamber of a differential pressure system; and   the user seal comprises an opening that is capable of receiving and sealing around a user's body so that at least a portion of the user's body is sealed into the chamber,   wherein a sufficiently airtight junction is formed between the user's body and the chamber so that a nonzero differential pressure can be sustained in the chamber, and the user seal is configured to allow the user to translate his body along an axis of the chamber while maintaining the sufficiently airtight junction between the chamber and the user's body.   
     
     
         8 . The user seal of  claim 7 , comprising:
 a first section comprising an opening that is capable of receiving and sealing around a user's body; and   a second section coupled to the chamber, wherein the first and second sections are slidably coupled to form a junction therebetween,   wherein a sufficiently airtight junction is formed between the user's body and the first section, between the first and section sections, and between the second section and the chamber so that at least a portion of the user's body is sealed into the chamber, a nonzero differential pressure can be sustained in the chamber, and the first section can translate relative to the second section to allow the user to translate along the axis of the chamber while substantially maintaining the nonzero differential pressure in the chamber.   
     
     
         9 . A user seal configured for use in a differential air pressure system, the user seal comprising:
 a lower section comprising an opening that is capable of receiving and sealing around a user's body; and   an upper section disposed on an upper surface of the lower section to form a junction between the upper and lower section, the upper section being coupled to the chamber,   wherein a sufficiently airtight junction is formed between the user's body and the lower section, between the upper and lower sections, and between the upper section and the chamber so that at least a portion of the user's body is sealed into the chamber and a nonzero differential pressure can be sustained in the chamber.   
     
     
         10 . A pressurizable chamber for a differential air pressure system, the chamber comprising:
 an inflatable enclosure formed from a flexible material; and   an adjustable frame that can be coupled to the inflatable enclosure,   wherein the adjustable frame controls at least one of a width and a height of the enclosure in its inflated state to reduce interference of the inflated enclosure with arm and/or leg motion of a user whose lower body is sealed into the pressurizable chamber and whose upper body is outside of the pressurizable chamber.   
     
     
         11 . The pressurizable chamber of  claim 10 , wherein the adjustable frame comprises at least one contoured section to accommodate arm and/or leg motion of the user. 
     
     
         12 . The pressurizable chamber of  claim 10 , wherein the adjustable frame comprises at least one telescoping member having a variable length, wherein the length of the at least one telescoping member is changed to adjust a dimension of the frame. 
     
     
         13 . A chamber for a differential air pressure system, the chamber comprising:
 an inflatable enclosure;   a height adjustable frame positioned around the enclosure, the height adjustable frame capable of supporting a user's body weight in the event of a trip or a fall,   wherein the height adjustable frame comprises a rear vertical support and a front vertical support, and at least one of the rear and front vertical supports comprises a height adjustment apparatus for engaging a lengthwise transverse member of the frame that extends between the rear vertical support and the front vertical support to adjust the height of the frame.   
     
     
         14 . The chamber of  claim 13 , wherein the height adjustment apparatus comprises a series of vertically arranged slots and wherein the lengthwise tranverse member of the frame is engaged into one of the slots of the height adjustment apparatus to adjust a height of the frame. 
     
     
         15 . A method of treatment comprising:
 creating a differential pressure in a chamber of a differential air pressure system, the chamber configured to receive at least a portion of a user's body and to adjust force on the user's body by adjusting pressure in the chamber;   adjusting pressure in the chamber in response to a condition-related metric determined for the user;   generating an initial setting for the differential air pressure system for the user based on a dependence of the condition-related metric on the adjustment of pressure; and   generating an individualized treatment protocol for the condition based on the initial setting for the user.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , for treating obesity. 
     
     
         17 . A method of treatment comprising:
 creating a differential pressure in a chamber of a differential air pressure system, the chamber configured to receive at least a portion of a user's body and to adjust force on the user's body by adjusting pressure in the chamber;   estimating an initial setting for the differential air pressure system based on a condition of the user;   receiving indication of pain experienced by the user as a function of pressure in the chamber; and   using the indication of pain at one or more pressure levels to set or modify a course of treatment for the condition.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , for treating a chronic injury. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the indication of pain is received directly from the user. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the indication of pain is received from one or more sensors sensing a biological parameter of the user.