A diverter is provided for use in directing airflow from an input port to selected output ports. The diverter allows for operation without valves, and is able to provide an air signal to selected output ports in a predetermined manner. The diverter having a rotatable member, or swivel valve, directing air signals to the desired output port depending on the rotational position thereof. The diverter is driven by a controlled actuator or motor, to thus control the manner in which air signals are provided to a plurality of output ports in a controlled manner.

A motor vehicle seat, having a seat massage system which has one, or a plurality of, fluid-fillable massage bladder(s), has a cushion which comprises a first side facing the seat occupant and a second side opposite the first side. The massage bladder(s) is/are arranged on the second side of the cushion such that filling the massage bladder(s) causes a pressure of the filled massage bladder(s) on pressure regions of the cushion and thus a deformation of the cushion. At least one of the pressure regions is surrounded by a recess present in the cushion.

Monitoring patient compliance with a compression therapy regimen. Venous Refill Time (VRT) is monitored via a pressure sensor in a bladder of a compression system. A controller of the compression system correlates the monitored VRT to a predetermined threshold to determine whether the patient is using the compression system.

A massage chair includes a seat portion, a back portion a leg portion, and a massage carriage configured to move within the seat portion, the back portion, and the leg portion. The massage carriage includes comprises a percussive massage assembly comprising a motor, a reciprocating shaft coupled to the motor and configured to reciprocate in response to activation of the motor, and a reciprocating massage head coupled to the reciprocating shaft. The massage chair also includes a support mechanism associated with the percussive massage assembly. The support mechanism is configured to support a weight of a user of the massage chair, thereby allowing the reciprocating shaft and the reciprocating massage head of the percussive massage assembly to reciprocate.

A wearable device for providing haptic stimulations is provided. The wearable device includes: (i) a wearable structure to be worn on a portion of a user's body and (ii) an inflatable bladder, coupled to the wearable structure, that includes two or more pockets positioned at a target location on the wearable structure. Furthermore, the two or more pockets are configured to, when inflated, impart directional force(s) onto the user at the target location that impede movement of the portion of the user's body. Additionally, the directional force(s) are caused by the two or more pockets interfering with each other, when inflated. In some embodiments, (a) the portion of the user's body is a hand of the user, (b) the target location is a finger joint on the user's hand, and (c) the directional force(s) imparted onto the user at the target location impede flexion of the user's finger.

Air microfluidics and minifluidics enabled active compression apparel enhances mobility and quality of life for individuals by minimizing risks of injuries, enhancing rehabilitation, and maximizing comfort. Balloon actuators, integrated with a garment, provide active compression and augmenting forces to anatomical portions of the human body. The balloon actuators are actuated by fluidic pressurization hardware. The air microfluidics and minifluidics system miniaturizes fluidic pressurization hardware and makes it wearable, ultra lightweight, and ultra formfitting. The air microfluidics and minifluidics system includes micro and mini channels of various lengths, cross-sectional areas, and functions via principles of equivalent hydraulic resistance allowing for fluidic transportation, passive delay in pressurization of the balloon actuators, and digital soft fluidic actuation where the compression force is based on the number of inflated balloon actuators instead of their pressure.

A medical device including a sleeve, one or more inflatable cells, a pump, a conduit and a control unit for controlling the flow of fluid from the pump through the conduit.

Methods are disclosed for measuring the size of body parts treated by a compression therapy device. Either the volume or circumference of the body part may be measure. The methods my include evacuating an inflatable compression sleeve to a known pressure, inserting the body part into the compression sleeve, inflating the sleeve to a pre-set condition, and then measuring one or more inflation related parameters. The pre-set conditions may include a predetermined pressure, volume, or size of the inflatable cells comprising the sleeve. The inflation related parameters may include the time to fill the cell to a pre-set pressure, the pressure attained after a pre-set time of inflation, or the measure volume of a cell after a pre-set amount of air is introduced into it. The methods may also include deflating the cells from the known inflation state to a second inflation state and measuring similar parameters.

A chair-type massage machine includes a base member, a slide member slidable with respect to the base member in a first direction and in the direction opposite to it, and an arm treatment portion rotatably fitted to the slide member at an end part of it in the first direction.

This disclosure relates to improved massage chairs that include air cell apparatuses. A massage chair can include at least one air cell apparatus, which can be integrated into a shoulder portion, leg rest portion, arm portion, and/or other portion of the massage chair. An inflatable air bladder can be connected to each air cell apparatus. Each air cell apparatus can transition between a retracted position and an extended position. The air cell bladder can be configured to inflate when the air cell apparatus is in the extended position, thereby securing an individual to the massage chair. Various assemblies can be used to transition the air cell apparatus between the retracted and extended positions. Other embodiments are disclosed.