# US 12,178,772 B2 · Differential air pressure systems and methods of using and calibrating such systems for mobility impaired users > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,178,772 B2 - Document ID: US12178772B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/360,662 - Filed: 2023-07-27 - Published: 2024-04-25 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2011-03-18 - Assignees: AlterG, Inc. - Applicants: Alterg, Inc. - Inventors: Eric Richard Kuehne; Christopher Loew; Glen R. Mangseth; Kenneth R. Krieg; David P. Grenewetzki; Clifford T. Jue; Trevor L. Donald - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12178772B2 ## CPC - A61H 1/0229: {by reducing gravity forces normally applied to the body, e.g. by lifting or hanging the body or part of it (suspension devices for supporting the patient in upright walking or standing position A61H3/008)} - A63B 22/0235: {driven by a motor} - A63B 69/0064: {Attachments on the trainee preventing falling} - A63B 71/0009: {for handicapped persons} - A61H 9/005: {Pneumatic massage} - A61H 2201/0103: inflatable - A61H 2201/0161: Size reducing arrangements when not in use, for stowing or transport - A61H 2201/0173: Means for preventing injuries - A61H 2201/1652: Harness - A61H 2201/5061: Force sensors - A61H 2201/5071: Pressure sensors - A61H 2201/5097: wireless - A61H 2203/0406: Standing on the feet - A61H 2203/0431: in 90°/90°-position, like on a chair - A61H 2230/80: Weight - A63B 2022/0094: {for active rehabilitation, e.g. slow motion devices} - A63B 2071/0018: {for wheelchair users} - A63B 2208/053: higher pressure - A63B 2220/51: Force - A63B 2225/50: Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry - A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N) - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A differential pressure system for improving mobility of an individual, comprising: a pressure chamber with a seal interface configured to receive a portion of a user's body and to form a seal between the user's body and the chamber, the chamber configured to apply pressure to the portion of the user's body while the user's body is sealed in the chamber; a platform within the pressure chamber, wherein the platform is configured to contact the user's body; a first sensor within the pressure chamber configured to provide a first output signal based on a load applied to the platform by the user while the user is sealed in the pressure chamber; a second sensor outside of the pressure chamber configured to provide a second output signal based on a load applied by the user outside of the pressure chamber; and a processor configured to receive the first output signal and the second output signal and determine a weight of the user based on the first and the second output signals. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The differential pressure system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to calibrate the system by determining a relationship between pressure in the pressure chamber and the weight of the user. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The differential pressure system of claim 1, wherein the weight of the user is a total user weight measured by the first sensor and the second sensor disposed at pressure points. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The differential pressure system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to determine a differential air pressure relationship for the user based on pressure within the pressure chamber and signal outputs from the first sensor and the second sensor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The differential pressure system of claim 4, wherein the processor is configured to regulate pressure of the pressure chamber based at least in part on the differential air pressure relationship. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The differential pressure system of claim 1, wherein the platform is a part of an exercise device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The differential pressure system of claim 6, wherein the exercise device is a treadmill. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The differential pressure system of claim 1, wherein the seal interface is configured to couple the user to the pressure chamber. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The differential pressure system of claim 1, further comprising a seal interface frame coupled to the seal interface and configured to support at least a portion of the user's weight. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The differential pressure system of claim 9, wherein the second sensor is configured to measure an amount of the user's weight supported by the seal interface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The differential pressure system of claim 1, further comprising a height adjustment mechanism configured to raise and lower the seal interface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The differential pressure system of claim 11, wherein the height adjustment mechanism is further configured to lower the seal interface to allow the user to step into the seal interface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The differential pressure system of claim 11, wherein the height adjustment mechanism includes the second sensor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The differential pressure system of claim 1, further comprising an access assist device configured to support the user while the user is on the platform. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The differential pressure system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor is disposed on the seal interface. ### Claim 16 A differential pressure system comprising: a pressure chamber with a seal interface configured to receive a portion of a user's body and form a seal between the user's body and the pressure chamber, the pressure chamber configured to apply pressure to a portion of the user's body while the user's body is sealed in the pressure chamber; an exercise device disposed within the pressure chamber, wherein the exercise device is configured to contact the user's body while the exercise device is in operation; a first sensor on the exercise device, the sensor configured to measure a load applied by the user to the exercise device while the user is in the pressure chamber and provide a first output signal; a second sensor not on the exercise device and positioned on the differential pressure system outside of the pressure chamber, the second sensor configured to provide a second output signal; a height adjustment mechanism configured to raise and lower at least a portion of the pressure chamber; and a processor configured to receive the first output signal and the second output signal and calibrate the system for use by the user by generating a relationship between pressure in the pressure chamber and an actual weight of the user while the user is sealed in the pressure chamber, wherein the actual weight of the user is a total user weight measured by the sensors at pressure points, the processor regulating the pressure of the pressure chamber according to said relationship. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The differential pressure system of claim 16, wherein the exercise device is a treadmill. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The differential pressure system of claim 16, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the height adjustment mechanism.