A support platform for retaining a DAP system inflatable enclosure is provided that includes a top cover including a support surface defining a truncated access opening, a bottom cover including a panel, and a plurality of side covers each including a panel, in which the top, bottom and side covers are connected to form an airtight platform defining an interior for retaining an exercise device. A base opening of the enclosure can be secured at a perimeter region of the access opening above the exercise device. The platform further includes an exercise device upper interface for securing the support surface to an upper region of the exercise device, a lower interface for securing a lower region of the exercise device to the bottom cover or ground, and a blower interface for forming an airtight connection with a blower. The truncated access opening limits pneumatic forces secured by the exercise device.

Described herein are various embodiments of differential air pressure systems and methods of using such systems. The differential air pressure system may comprise a chamber configured to receive a portion of a user's lower body and to create an air pressure differential upon the user's body. The differential air pressure system may further comprise a user seal that seal the pressure chamber to the user's body. The height of the user seal may be adjusted to accommodate users with various body heights.

The present invention provides a body lift-assist walker device for gait training is provided by the invention. The patient wears a pressurized body suit over all or a portion of his lower body, and the suit is attached to the walker device. A positive pressure or vacuum condition is applied to the interior of the suit, so that the differential pressure condition across the suit offloads a portion of the patient's body weight to the ground through the supportive walker device to make it easier for him to walk or run. The walker device also includes a lift-assisted body weight support device operated by a constant force mechanism like a pneumatic air cylinder that can lift the patient from a sitting position to a standing position with minimal physical effort. The device provides a portable and convenient system for persons undergoing physical therapy for treatment of gait or balance problems following an injury, stroke, or neurological disorder, or for use by elderly or disabled persons who have encounter difficulties in the sit-to-stand movement or walking.

A differential air pressure system has a pressure bag with windows and preferred folding configuration such that when the bag is folded no window is folded. The pressure bag is supported by a lift support that is proximal to a user control panel and adjacent to or nearly adjacent to the user who is coupled to the pressure bag. A treadmill base for use with differential air pressure equipment is provided. There are various improvements provided to adapt the operations of the DAP system via the use of separate pressure volume and non-pressure volume portions of the treadmill base. Various improvements to serviceability and repairs are provided by placement of components outside of the pressure volume portion or by providing one or more pressure volume access points.

Described herein are various embodiments of differential air pressure systems and methods of using such systems. The differential air pressure system may comprise a chamber configured to receive a portion of a user's lower body and to create an air pressure differential upon the user's body. The differential air pressure system may further comprise a user seal that seal the pressure chamber to the user's body. The height of the user seal may be adjusted to accommodate users with various body heights.

The invention concerns a method of adjusting a room air in a first room wherein the room air is supplemented continuously or at recurring intervals of time by nitrogen or a nitrogen-bearing, carbon dioxide-poor gas mixture in such a way that the proportion of oxygen in the room air is less than 20.9% by volume and the proportion of carbon dioxide in the room air is less than 1% by volume, wherein at the same time at least a slight overpressure in relation to an outside atmosphere surrounding the room is set in the room.

A system for unweighting a user for an exercise session includes a framework having a plurality of connected frame members defining at least one surface for retaining a treadmill, and a substantially airtight chamber attached the framework extending upward therefrom when inflated. The treadmill has running surface, and the framework has a sealing surface disposed about the running surface. The substantially airtight chamber has an upper chamber portion defining a top opening operable for attachment to the user when extending through the chamber for the exercise session, a lower chamber portion below the upper chamber portion, and a removable sealing assembly securing the lower chamber portion to the upper chamber portion.

Described herein are various embodiments of differential air pressure systems and methods of using such systems. The differential air pressure system may comprise a chamber configured to receive a portion of a user's lower body and to create an air pressure differential upon the user's body. The differential air pressure system may further comprise a user seal that seal the pressure chamber to the user's body. The height of the user seal may be adjusted to accommodate users with various body heights.

A height-adjustable DAP exercise system is provided having a support platform, an inflatable enclosure secured to the support platform at a base opening through the enclosure and extending vertically therefrom when inflated, and a top frame attached to the enclosure at an enclosure top opening. The DAP system further includes adjustable lift restraints each having a restraint length between first and second ends and configured for adjustment between a first restraint length and at least one second restraint length, in which each first end of each lift restraint is attached to a middle portion of the enclosure and each second end is attached to the top frame or the base. The enclosure height is adjustable between a first and second enclosure height responsive to adjustments for lift restraint lengths. The system also includes a low height safety harness for the top frame and related methods.

A method is provided of evaluating comparative equivalence for a user of a Differential Air Pressure (DAP) system between an unsupported exercise session and an unweighted DAP exercise session. The method includes receiving, for a comparative group of the unweighted and unsupported sessions, an unweighting for each and a 1.sup.st exercise parameter for a base selection of the group having a first gait speed and a first incline. The method includes evaluating a session output for the comparative group based on the first gait speed and incline and an unweighting (if any) of the base selection, which includes determining, for a comparison selection of the comparative group and the session output, based on an unweighting of the comparison selection, a 2.sup.nd exercise parameter having a second gait speed and a second incline. The method further includes providing the output and comparative information including the second speed and the second incline.