An exercise and therapeutic device includes a treadmill comprising a running belt coupled to a treadmill frame and an offloading system coupled to the treadmill. The offloading system includes an air chamber surrounding the running belt adapted to be selectively inflated between a deflated condition and an inflated, operating condition, a user seal coupled to the air chamber, adapted to receive a user so that, in an operating condition, at least a portion of a user is received in the user seal and positioned within the air chamber and to seal the air chamber around the user, a pump operable to inflate the air chamber, at least one strap coupled to the treadmill frame and adapted to restrict the expansion of the air chamber and adjust a spacing of the user seal relative to a running surface of the running belt when the air chamber is inflated.

An offloading system for use with a treadmill includes an air chamber configured to be selectively inflated between a deflated condition and an inflated, operating condition, a user seal coupled to the air chamber and adapted to receive a user so that, in the operating condition, at least a portion of the user is received in the user seal and positioned within the air chamber, a pump operable to inflate the air chamber, and a controller configured to determine an occurrence of a loss of pressure in the air chamber and, in response to the occurrence, cause a reduction of speed of a running belt of the treadmill.

The present invention includes a device for hypoxia training comprising: one or more electrochemical cells each comprising: a cathode and an anode separated by a proton exchange membrane, each of the anode and cathode in communication with an input and an output, wherein the input of the cathode is in fluid communication with ambient air, and wherein the input of the anode is in fluid communication with a source of liquid water; a power supply connected to the one or more electrochemical cells; and a mask in fluid communication with the output from the cathode of the one or more electrochemical cells, wherein oxygen is removed from the ambient air during contact with the cathode when hydrogen ions separated from liquid water by a catalyst on the anode convert oxygen in the ambient air into water.

Described is an exercise tool. More particularly, it is a therapy and exercise tool specifically devised as a foot-therapy and toe-aligning device to align, separate, and stretch toes. The foot-therapy and toe-aligning device comprises a frame with a plurality of posts connected with the frame. The device is formed of an elastic material such that a user may place at least one of the plurality of posts between a user's toes and pull the post to stretch and elongate the post between the toes. Upon release, the elastic material of the post causes the post to attempt to return to its original shape, thereby causing it to expand out and conform its shape to fit snugly against the user's toes. Additionally, the elastic material allows the toe posts to be positioned and maintained at numerous locations between the user's toes for customizable positioning between the toes.

Methods for treating fluid overload in a subject comprise shifting fluids directly and non-invasively from an interstitial compartment of the subject to skin of the subject through controlled local sweating. Methods of the invention allow for removal of excess fluid from the interstitial compartment of the subject and treat fluid overload in the subject. Sweat stimulation systems comprise a chamber and first and second relative humidity sensors. The chamber is sized to fit around a body part of a subject, comprises an inlet and an outlet, and is configured such that air flows through the chamber from the inlet to the outlet. The first relative humidity sensor is operably located inside the inlet, and the second relative humidity sensor is operably located proximate the outlet.

The present invention includes a device for hypoxia training comprising: one or more electrochemical cells each comprising: a cathode and an anode separated by a proton exchange membrane, each of the anode and cathode in communication with an input and an output, wherein the input of the cathode is in fluid communication with ambient air, and wherein the input of the anode is in fluid communication with a source of liquid water; a power supply connected to the one or more electrochemical cells; and a mask in fluid communication with the output from the cathode of the one or more electrochemical cells, wherein oxygen is removed from the ambient air during contact with the cathode when hydrogen ions separated from liquid water by a catalyst on the anode convert oxygen in the ambient air into water.

The invention comprises a differential air pressure exercise system, comprising: a base; a pair of uprights on the base dividing the base into a front portion and a rear portion; a bulkhead extending between and vertically moveable relative to the uprights; a right arm and a left arm attached to the bulkhead extending from the bulkhead towards the base rear portion; a chamber support frame coupling element on the right arm and on the left arm; a hinge coupled to the bulkhead between the left and right arms; a chamber support frame extending between the left and right arms and coupled to the hinge to move between an engaged condition and a lowered condition.

Methods for treating fluid overload in a subject comprise shifting fluids directly and non-invasively from an interstitial compartment of the subject to skin of the subject through controlled local sweating. Methods of the invention allow for removal of excess fluid from the interstitial compartment of the subject and treat fluid overload in the subject. Sweat stimulation systems comprise a chamber and first and second relative humidity sensors. The chamber is sized to fit around a body part of a subject, comprises an inlet and an outlet, and is configured such that air flows through the chamber from the inlet to the outlet. The first relative humidity sensor is operably located inside the inlet, and the second relative humidity sensor is operably located proximate the outlet.

The present invention includes a device for hypoxia training including a breathable gas source; a mask in fluid communication with the breathable gas source; a mask-state detector that uses one or more criteria to determine if the mask is being worn by a subject, wherein the mask-state detector is capable of communicating an indication of a mask-off state or a mask-on state; a flowmeter in fluid communication with the mask and coupled to the mask-state detector; and a pressure regulator in fluid communication with the mask and with the breathable gas source, and coupled to the mask-state detector, wherein the pressure regulator sets a first pressure at the mask when the mask-state detector communicates an indication of a mask-off state or a second pressure at the mask when the mask-state detector communicates an indication of a mask-on state.

The invention is comprised of a differential air pressure exercise system, comprising: a base; a pair of uprights on the base dividing the base into a front portion and a rear portion; a bulkhead extending between and vertically moveable relative to the uprights; a right arm attached to the bulkhead extending from the bulkhead towards the base rear portion; a left arm attached to the bulkhead extending from the bulkhead towards the base rear portion; a chamber support frame coupling element on the right arm; a chamber support frame coupling element on the left arm; at least one hinge coupled to the bulkhead between the left arm and the right arm; a chamber support frame extending between the left arm and the right arm, the chamber support frame coupled to the at least one hinge to move between an engaged condition wherein a portion of the chamber support frame is coupled to the chamber support frame coupling element on the right arm and a portion of the chamber support frame is coupled to the chamber support frame coupling element on the left arm and a lowered condition wherein the chamber support frame is uncoupled from both the chamber support frame coupling element on the right arm and the chamber support frame coupling element on the left arm.