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System for creating artificial gravity conditions in micro and hypogravity environmentsRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Having Specific Electrical FeatureSystem for creating artificial gravity conditions in micro and hypogravity environments description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060229160, System for creating artificial gravity conditions in micro and hypogravity environments. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/607,845 filed Sep. 8, 2004 and entitled "SYSTEM FOR CREATING ARTIFICIAL GRAVITY IN ZERO GRAVITY CONDITIONS", the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] This invention relates generally to space travel and, more specifically, to a novel and improved method for creating an artificial gravity environment in zero-gravity conditions to counterbalance the detrimental effects of micro/hypo gravity on human physiology. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Mankind has created and maintained a presence in space for a few decades now. Voyages into space have become relatively common today and there are space stations that are inhabited by humans, for over a year at a time. Such voyages and continued living in zero or microgravity conditions subjects the human body to physiological stresses not experienced while on earth, where the human body is habituated to and influenced by the presence of gravity. Studies and prior experience has indicated that such long-term exposure to microgravity alters biological processes and detrimentally affects physiological responses in the human body. [0004] Loss of bone density and muscle atrophy are two major problems. This occurs as the physical stress on the bones decreases and as the muscles are subjected to disuse. They weaken to such an extent that it takes time for astronauts to recover even after coming back to earth and some astronauts' condition, reportedly, deteriorated to such an extent that they had to be carried on a stretcher upon return to earth. [0005] Countermeasures [0006] Several different methods of alleviating the detrimental effects of weightlessness exist today. [0007] Space Fitness Equipment: Treadmills and other fitness equipment such as rowing and bicycle ergometers have been modified for use in space. Astronauts are strapped and bound onto the treadmill or other fitness equipment with elastic chords that generate resistance and thereby simulate the force of gravity. One variation to this basic design of a treadmill with an astronaut strapped by elastic chords is the use of a pressurized treadmill. In this design, the lower body is completely enclosed in an airtight chamber and when air is pumped into the chamber, astronauts feel lighter. When air is sucked out the astronauts feel heavier. By "making astronauts feel heavier in the weightlessness of space the chamber could prevent deconditioning, or loss of strength". The negative pressure in the chamber makes the astronauts "feel heavier and increases their endurance as they workout." (Julianne Remington, www.healthsurfing.com). While the simplest method happens to be regular and rigorous exercise, this takes up a lot of time. [0008] Electrical Stimulation: There has been research into electrically stimulating the muscles, and hence exercising them. This is a possibility for space travel: "Previous studies have proven the efficacy of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) protocols that stimulate muscle through skin surface electrodes in order to cause muscle contraction. Although NMES protocols have proven useful in minimizing muscle atrophy, they cause discomfort to those undergoing treatment and are impractical for spaceflight. CSA's Operational Space Medicine (OSM) group conducted a study to investigate a new type of electrical muscle stimulation called Therapeutic Electrical Stimulation (TES)." (http://www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/astronauts/osm_ems.asp) [0009] Although it is apparently `impractical for spaceflight`, it is still a large part of microgravity remedies--the "Manned Spaceflight and Microgravity" site seems to deem it worthy: http://www.spaceflight.esa.int/file.cfm?filename=utildestpems [0010] Space Boots: Space boots have been designed such that the feet feel as if a reaction force is being applied to them, hence activating all the balancing muscles in the feet and lower body: "Chuck Layne, an associate professor at the Univerisy of Houston, designed special boots that use pneumatic pressure to the feet to simulate the feeling of standing on a floor. The pressure applied to the feet stimulates muscles in the legs, the idea being that this stimulation is akin to a muscle contraction and would thus slow the rate of muscle atrophy. The invention has been tested by cosmonauts on Mir and the results look promising, although the technology is still under development." (http://www.ibiblio.org/astrobiology/index.php?page=adapt04) [0011] Pharmaceuticals: Certain drugs are used by astronautical teams to counter the effect of muscle atrophy and bone demineralization. In particular, amino acids are said to be a useful supplement for preventing muscle loss: "Scientists at the National Space Biomedical Research Institute have used enforced bed rest as a model for both space travel and medically-caused immobility. They find that if subjects who rest in bed for 28 days are given supplements of amino acids, the rates of muscle loss are much reduced. The amino acids are the building blocks of protein and blood tests show how they are taken up by the body to build new muscle." (http://www.healthandage.com) [0012] However, there are important considerations to be taken into account when dealing with pharmaceuticals. It is wrong to assume that the drug will have the same affect on the human body in space as it does on Earth as major physiological changes occur in zero-gravity conditions in space. If research conducted on people who fly airplanes at high altitudes is any indication, drugs can produce drastically different effects when administered in different environments." (http://www.ibiblio.org/astrobiology/index.php?page=adapt04) [0013] Gene Therapy: There is also an interesting process labeled `gene therapy`, that introduces a certain protein, named "IGF-1", into a muscle to stimulate muscle growth and maintenance, thereby minimizing atrophy: http://spaceresearch.nasa.gov/research_projects/spacebiology.sub.--12-200- 1_lite.html [0014] Nutritional Diet: "While nutrition alone does not cure the conditions that develop as a result of zero-gravity, it certainly helps alleviate the severity of those conditions. It is essential that astronauts maintain a healthy diet despite their decreased appetites (which are characteristic of people living in microgravity--NASA has found that astronauts eat and drink as much as 70 percent less in space). The body needs all the assistance it can get when fighting infections with a depressed immune system. Good nutrition provides that assistance." (http://www.ibiblio.org/astrobiology/index.php?page=adapt04) [0015] Pre-Flight Training: "astronauts undergo extensive preflight physical training, building endurance and strength to minimize the effects of muscle atrophy." (http://paperairplane.mit.edu/16.423J/Space/SBE/muscle/muscle_bckgrnd_ug.- html) [0016] Despite all such available countermeasures, a recent NASA study showed that astronauts living aboard the International Space Station lost an average of 2.5 percent of bone mass in their hipbone, loss in outer bone at a rate of 1.6 to 1.7 percent per month and vertebrae bone mass loss at a rate of 0.8 to 0.9 percent a month. The NASA study also said that over the period of four to six month stays in space, the astronauts could lose 8.8 to 16.2 percent of their bone mass. [0017] This presents a serious health risk to astronauts--even more so to those sent on voyages farther into the solar system such as to Mars, where the voyage might take two to three years. Moreover, upon reaching such distant destinations, the astronauts would have to be fit and healthy enough to meet the challenges of living and doing productive work there. It is therefore a necessity to counterbalance the negative physiological affects on astronauts' muscular and skeletal systems due to zero or microgravity conditions. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0018] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system and apparatus that acts as an effective countermeasure against the loss of bone density and muscle atrophy of astronauts in zero gravity conditions. [0019] It is another object of the present invention to reduce the time spent by astronauts on counterbalance measures, while producing similar of better results. [0020] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a system and apparatus that may be used by astronauts during their regular routine. Continue reading about System for creating artificial gravity conditions in micro and hypogravity environments... 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