A method is provided for operating a sleep mode of a massage chair, which is capable of implementing a sleep mode according to progressive muscle relaxation, and a massage chair for the method is also provided.

A pressure therapy device includes a pressure chamber, an inflatable padding, a seal, and a positioning mechanism. The pressure chamber has an opening arranged for admitting the inflatable padding and a limb of a user. The inflatable padding is inflatable to enclose and fix the limb in position. The seal covers the opening, including the inflatable padding and the limb to seal the pressure chamber from ambient atmospheric pressure. A pump unit is provided to generate a non-atmospheric pressure within the pressure chamber and includes a first valve system and a piston with safety release features for preventing unsafe pressure levels.

A pneumatic system includes a passage to discharge compressed air and a sound attenuator including a first chamber in fluid communication with the passage and defined by a first wall through which the passage opens into the first chamber, a first surface of a second wall spaced from and opposite the first wall, and a sidewall extending between the first and second walls. The first chamber has a volume and includes a first opening in the sidewall. A second chamber is in fluid communication with the first opening and partially surrounds the first chamber. The second chamber is partially defined by a second surface of the second wall opposite the first surface and by the sidewall, and the second chamber has a volume and includes a second opening to exhaust air from the second chamber. The volume of the first chamber is less than that of the second chamber.

A pneumatic system includes a fluidic switching module having an air passage and a vent in fluid communication with the air passage. The pneumatic system also includes a sound attenuator coupled to the fluidic switching module, the sound attenuator having a first chamber in fluid communication with the vent, a first orifice in fluid communication with the vent via the first chamber, a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber via the first orifice, and a second orifice in fluid communication with the first orifice via the second chamber.

A pressure-sensing type massage chair system includes pressure sensing units configured to detect movement of any one or more of at least user's hips, feet, back, hands, head, and combinations thereof, or a change in a user's center of gravity; a first command signal output unit configured to receive pressure signals from the pressure sensing unit and match the received pressure signals with pre-input first command matching information to output a first command signal corresponding to the first command matching information; and a control unit configured to receive the first command signal from the first command signal output unit and apply any one or more of at least a seat control signal, a footrest control signal, a backrest control signal, an armrest control signal, a headrest control signal, and combinations thereof.

An external counter pulsation system (ECP) and method for using the system to improve circulation as well as cardiovascular related diseases. The ECP system of the present invention comprises a helical air bladder for modulating blood flow of major veins and arteries of the thigh. High efficiency is realized with the helical shape of the air bladder to lower the cost, weight and size of the ECP of the present invention.

An apparatus for applying pressure to a body part includes a sleeve configured to at least partially surround a body part. The sleeve can include a plurality of inflatable sections and a pump assembly. The pump assembly can include a pump and a plurality of channels. Each channel can be configured to be in fluid communication with the pump and a respective inflatable section, wherein each channel can include a supply valve configured to regulate air entering the respective inflatable section and a release valve configured to regulate air exiting the respective inflatable section.

An exoskeleton system having an actuator unit configured to be coupled to a leg of a user. The actuator unit includes an upper arm and a lower arm that are rotatably coupled via a joint, the joint positioned at a knee of the user with the upper arm coupled about an upper leg portion of the user above the knee and with the lower arm coupled about a lower leg portion of the user below the knee; a fluidic actuator that extends between the upper arm and lower arm; and one or more fluid lines coupled to the fluidic actuator to introduce fluid to the fluidic actuator that causes force to be applied to the upper arm and lower arm.

A method of operating an exoskeleton system that includes obtaining a first set of sensor data from one or more sensors associated with one or more leg actuator units of an exoskeleton system during a user activity, the first set of sensor data indicating a first configuration state of the one or more actuator units; determining, based at least in part on the first set of obtained sensor data, to change configuration of the one or more leg actuator units to a second configuration state to support a user during the user activity; and introducing fluid to one or more fluidic actuators of the one or more leg actuator units to generate the second configuration state by causing the one or more fluidic actuators to apply force at the one or more actuator units.

A grasp assist system includes a glove, finger saddles attached to a respective glove finger, one or more tendon actuators, and artificial tendons. The saddles have a rectangular body partially circumscribing a respective glove finger. Each saddle includes end lobes at opposite distal ends of the body. A first end of each tendon is secured to one of the tendon actuators. A second end forms a triple Brummel loop defining a main loop and two anchor loops. The anchor loops are disposed around the lobes. The saddles may form a rounded, double-headed arrow shape that is at least double the thickness of the body. The finger saddles are anisotropic, with different bending strengths depending on the axis, and may be constructed of thermoplastic polyurethane-coated nylon. Flexion and/or contact sensors and a controller, may be used. A method of connecting the tendon actuator to the finger is also disclosed.