DAP system control and related devices and methods

A method for adjusting user-interface height during usage of a differential air pressure (DAP) system by a user, the DAP system comprising:

• a platform having a cover defining an access opening into an internal cavity defined within the platform;
• a treadmill retained by the platform within in the internal cavity, the treadmill substantially exposing a top treadmill surface through the access opening;
• an inflatable enclosure having a base defining a base opening secured to the cover about the access opening and extending upward to a top opening defined therethrough;
• a pair of powered vertical lifts connected to opposite sides of the platform along a longitudinal mid-region proximate the top opening, each having a vertically drivable carriage;
• a seal frame having a pair of opposite restraint connectors;
• a pair of flexible tensile restraints, each attached at one end to a corresponding restraint connector and at an opposite end to a corresponding carriage;
• and
• a user seal worn by a user having a user seal interface configured for attaching to the inflatable enclosure at the top opening when the user extends through the top opening and engages the top treadmill surface for using the DAP system in an unweighting condition;
• the method comprising:
• determining a user seal interface height for the user;
• determining a usage carriage height based on the user seal interface height for the user, the user seal interface height different from the usage carriage height;
• raising each carriage to a user seal attachment position higher than the usage carriage height for attachment of the user seal interface to the enclosure;
• lowering each carriage to the usage carriage height;
• confirming inflation conditions are met including attachment of the user seal interface to the inflatable enclosure at the top opening;
• inflating the enclosure to an inflated condition;
• and
• restraining the user seal interface at the user seal interface height including restraining the seal frame at a seal frame height according to the usage carriage height.

A Method for controlling a differential air pressure (DAP) system during use by a user for a current unweighted exercise session, the DAP system comprising:

• an inflatable enclosure having a base extending upward when inflated from the base to a top opening defined therein and configured for attachment with a user seal interface;
• a platform for retaining an exercise device and securing the enclosure base above the exercise device;
• a pair of powered vertical lifts secured to the platform, each having a vertically drivable carriage;
• a seal frame connected to each carriage extending about the top opening and attached to the enclosure proximate the top opening;
• and
• a control system computer operatively connected to the exercise device, an inflation source coupled to the DAP system in an airtight connection, and the pair of powered lifts;
• wherein a user seal worn by a user comprises an interface configured for secure, airtight attachment with the top opening during use of the DAP system for unweighted exercise;
• the method comprising:
• calculating a user seal interface height based on an estimated height for the user;
• determining, based on the user seal interface height, an attachment carriage height and a usage carriage height different than the user seal interface height;
• driving the powered vertical lifts to raise each carriage to an attachment position at the attachment carriage height;
• confirming attachment of the user seal interface to the top opening;
• responsive to the confirming attachment, driving the vertical lifts to move each carriaae to a usage position at the usage carriage height;
• inflating the enclosure comprising operating the pressure source to inflate the enclosure to an unweighting pressure and controlling the lifts to retain the usage position;
• calculating an output for the user for the current unweighted exercise session and for an equivalent non-unweighted exercise session based on exercise parameters for each session, the exercise parameters comprising a speed, a %grade, and a %bodyweight for each session, wherein:
• the %bodyweight for the non-unweighted exercise session is a bodyweight of the user;
• and
• the %bodyweight for the current unweighted exercise session is the bodyweight of the user multiplied by a reduced value corresponding with an unweight support percentage applied by the inflated enclosure to the user, the %bodyweight having a value less than 1.00;
• and
• providing output information to the user for the current unweighted exercise session and the non-unweighted exercise session.