Abstract:
A vest for a human body has an air core coupled to a pulsator operableto subject the vest to pulses of air which applies and releases high frequency pressure forces to the body. The pulsator has two diaphrams connected to an electric de motor with rotary to reciprocating linear motion transmitting mechanisms operable to generate air pulses in an air pulsing chamber. The diaphragms also increase the pressure in a manifold chamber. A check valve connects the manifold chamber with a pulsing chamber to allow pressurized air to flow from the manifold chamber into the pulsing chamber. An air flow control valve in commmunication with the manifold chamber is used to adjust the pressure of the air in the manifold and pulsing chambers.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/218,128 filed Jul. 13, 2000. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is directed to a medical device and method to apply repetitive compression forces to the body of a person to aid blood circulation, loosening and elimination of mucus from the lungs of a person and relieve muscular and nerve tensions. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Clearance of mucus from the respiratory tract in healthy individuals is accomplished primarily by the body&#39;s normal mucociliary action and cough. Under normal conditions these mechanisms are very efficient. Impairment of the normal mucociliary transport system or hypersecretion of respiratory mucus results in an accumulation of mucus and debris in the lungs and can cause severe medical complications such as hypoxemia, hypercapnia, chronic bronchitis and pneumonia. These complications can result in a diminished quality of life or even become a cause of death. Abnormal respiratory mucus clearance is a manifestation of many medical conditions such as pertussis, cystic fibrosis, atelectasis, bronchiectasis, cavitating lung disease, vitamin A deficiency, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and immotile cilia syndrome. Exposure to cigarette smoke, air pollutants and viral infections also adversely affect mucociliary function. Post surgical patients, paralyzed persons, and newborns with respiratory distress syndrome also exhibit reduced mucociliary transport. 
     Chest physiotherapy has had a long history of clinical efficacy and is typically a part of standard medical regimens to enhance respiratory mucus transport. Chest physiotherapy can include mechanical manipulation of the chest, postural drainage with vibration, directed cough, active cycle of breathing and autogenic drainage. External manipulation of the chest and respiratory behavioral training are accepted practices as defined by the American Association for Respiratory Care Guidelines, 1991. The various methods of chest physiotherapy to enhance mucus clearance are frequently combined for optimal efficacy and are prescriptively individualized for each patient by the attending physician. 
     Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common inherited life-threatening genetic disease among Caucasians. The genetic defect disrupts chloride transfer in and out of cells, causing the normal mucus from the exocrine glands to become very thick and sticky, eventually blocking ducts of the glands in the pancreas, lungs and liver. Disruption of the pancreatic glands prevents secretion of important digestive enzymes and causes intestinal problems that can lead to malnutrition. In addition, the thick mucus accumulates in the lung&#39;s respiratory tracts, causing chronic infections, scarring, and decreased vital capacity. Normal coughing is not sufficient to dislodge these mucus deposits. CF usually appears during the first 10 years of life, often in infancy. Until recently, children with CF were not expected to live into their teens. However, with advances in digestive enzyme supplementation, anti-inflammatory therapy, chest physical therapy, and antibiotics, the median life expectancy has increase to 30 years with some patients living into their 50&#39;s and beyond. CF is inherited through a recessive gene, meaning that if both parents carry the gene, there is a 25 percent chance that an offspring will have the disease, a 50 percent chance they will be a carrier and a 25 percent chance they will be genetically unaffected. Some individuals who inherit mutated genes from both parents do not develop the disease. The normal progression of CF includes gastrointestinal problems, failure to thrive, repeated and multiple lung infections, and death due to respiratory insufficiency. While some patients experience grave gastrointestinal symptoms, the majority of CF patients (90 percent) ultimately succumb to respiratory problems. 
     A demanding daily regimen is required to maintain the CF patient&#39;s health, even when the patient is not experiencing acute problems. A CF patient&#39;s CF daily treatments may include: 
     Respiratory therapy to loosen and mobilize mucus; 
     Inhalation therapy with anti-inflammatory drugs, bronchodilators and antibiotics for infections; 
     Oral and intravenous antibiotics to control infection; 
     Doses of Pulmozyme to thin respiratory mucus; 
     20 to 30 pancreatic enzyme pills taken with every meal to aid digestion; 
     a low-fat, high-protein diet; 
     Vitamins and nutritional supplements; and 
     Exercise. 
     A lung transplant may be the only hope for patients with end stage cystic fibrosis. 
     Virtually all patients with CF require respiratory therapy as a daily part of their care regimen. The buildup of thick, sticky mucus in the lungs clogs airways and traps bacteria, providing an ideal environment for respiratory infections and chronic inflammation. This inflammation causes permanent scarring of the lung tissue, reducing the capacity of the lungs to absorb oxygen and, ultimately, sustain life. Respiratory therapy must be performed, even when the patient is feeling well, to prevent infections and maintain vital capacity. Traditionally, care providers perform Chest Physical Therapy (CPT) one to four times per day. CPT consists of a patient lying in one of twelve positions while a caregiver “claps” or pounds on the chest and back over each lobe of the lung. To treat all areas of the lung in all twelve positions requires pounding for half to three-quarters of an hour along with inhalation therapy. CPT clears the mucus by shaking loose airway secretions through chest percussions and draining the loosened mucus toward the mouth. Active coughing is required to ultimately remove the loosened mucus. CPT requires the assistance of a caregiver, often a family member but a nurse or respiratory therapist if one is not available. It is a physically exhausting process for both the CF patient and the caregiver. Patient and caregiver non-compliance with prescribed protocols is a well-recognized problem that renders this method ineffective. CPT effectiveness is also highly technique sensitive and degrades as the giver becomes tired. The requirement that a second person be available to perform the therapy severely limits the independence of the CF patient. 
     Artificial respiration devices for applying and relieving pressure on the chest of a person have been used to assist in lung breathing functions, and loosening and eliminating mucus from the lungs of CF persons. Subjecting the person&#39;s chest and lungs to pressure pulses or vibrations decreases the viscosity of lung and air passage mucus, thereby enhancing fluid mobility and removal from the lungs. These devices use vests having air-accommodating bladders that surround the chests of persons. Mechanical mechanisms, such as solenoid or motor-operated air valves, bellows and pistons are disclosed in the prior art to supply air under pressure to diaphragms and bladders in regular pattern or pulses. The bladder worn around the thorax of the CF person repeatedly compresses and releases the thorax at frequencies as high as 25 cycles per second. Each compression produces a rush of air through the lobes of the lungs that shears the secretions from the sides of the airways and propels them toward the mouth where they can be removed by normal coughing. External chest manipulation with high frequency chest wall oscillation was reported in 1966. Beck G J.  Chronic Bronchial Asthma and Emphysema. Rehabilitation and Use of Thoracic Vibrocompression, Geriatrics  (1966), 21: 139-158. 
     G. A. Williams in U.S. Pat. No. 1,898,652 discloses an air pulsator for stimulating blood circulation and treatment of tissues and muscles beneath the skin. A reciprocating piston is used to generate air pressure pulses which are transferred through a hose to an applicator having a flexible diaphragm. The pulsating air generated by the moving piston imparts relatively rapid movement to the diaphragm which subjects the person&#39;s body to pulsing forces. 
     J. D. Ackerman et al in U.S. Pat. No. 2,588,192 disclose an artificial respiration apparatus having a chest vest supplied with air under pressure with an air pump. Solenoid-operated valves control the flow of air into and out of the vest in a controlled manner to pulsate the vest, thereby subjecting the person&#39;s chest to repeated pressure pulses. 
     J. H. Emerson in U.S. Pat. No. 2,918,917 discloses an apparatus for exercising and massaging the airway and associated organs and loosening and removing mucus therefrom. A blower driven with a motor creates air pressure for a device that fits over a person&#39;s nose and mouth. A diaphragm reciprocated with an electric motor pulses the air flowing to the device and the person&#39;s airway. The speed of the motor is controlled to regulate the number of vibrations per minute. 
     R. F. Gray in U.S. Pat. No. 3,078,842 discloses a bladder for cyclically applying an external pressure to the chest of a person. A pressure alternator applies air pressure to the bladder. A pulse generator applies air pressure to the bladder to apply pressure pulses to the chest of the person. 
     R. S. Dillion in U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,925 uses an inflatable enclosure to cover a portion of a person&#39;s extremity, such as an arm or leg. The enclosure is connected to a fluid control and pulse monitor operable to selectively apply and remove pressure on the person&#39;s extremity. 
     W. J. Warwick and L. G. Hansen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,838,263 and 5,056,505 disclose a chest compression apparatus having a chest vest surrounding a person&#39;s chest. A motor-driven rotary valve allows air to flow into the vest and vent air therefrom to apply pressurized pulses to the person&#39;s chest. An alternative pulse pumping system has a pair of bellows connected to a crankshaft with rods operated with a dc electric motor. The speed of the motor is regulated with a controller to control the frequency of the pressure pulses applied to the vest. The patient controls the pressure of the air in the vest by opening and closing the end of an air vent tube. 
     C. N. Hansen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,453,081 and 5,569,170 discloses an air pulsating apparatus for supplying pulses of air to an enclosed receiver, such as a vest located around a person&#39;s chest. The apparatus has a casing with an internal chamber containing a diaphragm. An electric operated device, such as a solenoid, connected to the diaphragm is operated with a pulse generator to vibrate the diaphragm to pulse the air in the chamber. A hose connects the chamber with the vest to transfer air and air pulses to the vest which applies pressure pulses to the person&#39;s chest. 
     N. P. Van Brunt and D. J. Gagne in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,769,797 and 6,036,662 disclose an oscillatory chest compression device having a wall with an air chamber and a diaphragm mounted on the wall and exposed to the air chamber. A rod pivotally connected to the diaphragm and rotatably connected to a crankshaft transmits force to the diaphragm during rotation of the crankshaft. An electric motor drives the crankshaft at selected controlled speeds to regulate the frequency of the air pulses generated by the moving diaphragm. An air flow generator, shown as a blower, delivers air to the air chamber to maintain the pressure of the air in the chamber. Controls for the motors that move the diaphragm and blower are responsive to the pressure of the air in the air chamber. These controls have air pressure responsive feedback systems that regulate the operating speeds of the motors to control the pulse frequency and air pressure in the vest. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention comprises a vest used to apply repetitive pressure pulses to a human body and a pulsator for generating air pressure pulses that are transmitted to the vest to provide secretion and mucus clearance therapy. The vest has a non-elastic outer cover attached to a flexible liner. An air core of flexible material located between the cover and liner is connected with a hose to an air pulsator operable to generate repetitive air pressure pulses which are transmitted to the air core. The air pressure pulses subjected to the air core create repetitive pressure pulses that are transmitted to the body of a person wearing the vest whereby high frequency chest wall oscillations or pulses enhance mucus clearance in the respiratory system of the person. The pulsator has a casing with an internal air pulsing chamber in air communication with the hose which transmits air and air pressure pulses to the air core. The air pressure pulses are generated with a movable diaphragm mounted on the casing having one side in communication with the air pulsing chamber. A motion transmitting mechanism driven with a variable speed power unit linearly reciprocates the diaphragm to repetitively increase and decrease the pressure of the air in the internal chamber thereby generating air pressure pulses. The operating speed of the power unit is regulated to change the air pressure pulse frequency. The case has an air pumping chamber in communication with the other side of the diaphragm. The reciprocating diaphragm pumps air under pressure into the air pulsating chamber. A one-way valve mounted on the casing allows air under pressure to flow from the air pumping chamber into the air pulsating chamber and prevent the reverse flow of air from the air pulsating chamber back to the air pumping chamber thereby maintaining the air in the air pulsating chamber at a desired pressure. An adjustable air flow restrictor limits the flow of air into the air pumping chamber thereby controlling the pressure of the air in the air pumping chamber, air pulsating chamber, and air core located in the vest. 
     The preferred embodiment of the body pulsating apparatus has a case with walls surrounding an air pulsing chamber. An elongated hose carries air and air pulses to an air core in a vest located about the upper body of a person. The case has an internal wall that separates the air pulsing chamber from an air manifold chamber. One or more one-way valves mounted on the internal wall allow air to flow from the air manifold chamber into the air pulsing chamber and prevent reverse flow of air back from the air pulsing chamber into the air manifold chamber. The case has top and bottom openings covered with diaphragms attached with flexible peripheral members to the case to enclose the air pulsing chamber. Located within the air pulsing chamber is a pair of linear reciprocating motion transmitting mechanisms for linearly moving the diaphragms in straight line opposite directions to pulse the air in the air pulsing chamber. The motion transmitting mechanisms are scotch yoke devices which provide the diaphragms with straight line harmonic motions. An electric motor rotates a common shaft having a pair of eccentrics that laterally moves shuttles and reciprocates yokes. The yokes are fixed directly to the diaphragms. The operating speed of the motor is controlled with a motor controller wired to a timer and a source of electric power. The controller is manually adjustable to change the speed of the motor which is proportional to air pulse frequency in the air pulsing chamber. Covers located over the diaphragms attached to the casing have air pumping chambers in communication with the manifold chamber. The reciprocating movements of the diaphragms draws air through an air flow control into air manifold chamber and pumping chambers and compresses the air in the air manifold chamber. The pressure of the air in the air manifold chamber is regulated with a manually adjustable air flow control valve. Restricting the flow of air into the manifold chamber reduces the pressure of the air in the air manifold chamber. When the pressure of the air in the air manifold chamber exceeds the air pressure in the air pulsing chamber, the one-way valve opens to allow air to flow into the air pulsing chamber, through the hose, and into the air core thereby inflating the air core which applies pressure to the upper body of a person wearing the vest. The reciprocating movements of the diaphragms pulse the pressurized air at a frequency determined by the speed of the electric motor that drives the scotch yokes. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the air pressure and pulse generator of the invention coupled to an air core located in a vest located around the chest of a person; 
     FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view, partly sectioned, of the air core, vest, and person of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the adjustable timer of the air pressure and pulse generator of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the frequency and air pressure control panel of the air pressure and pulse generator of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the air pressure and pulsating apparatus of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional diagrammatic view of the air pressure and pulse generator of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is a pressure time graph of the air pressure and pulse generator of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line  8 — 8  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line  9 — 9  of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line  10 — 10  of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line  11 — 11  of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line  12 — 12  of FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line  13 — 13  of FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 14 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 8 showing the diaphragm assemblies in the air pumping mode; and 
     FIG. 15 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 8 showing the diaphragm assemblies in the air pulsing mode. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The body pulsating apparatus, indicated generally at  10  in FIG. 1, has a vest  11  and an air pressure and pulse generator  12  operable to apply repetitive pressure pulses to the vest located about a human body to provide secretion and mucus clearance therapy. Respiratory mucus clearance is applicable to many medical conditions, such as pertussis, cystic fibrosis, atelectasis, bronchiectasis, cavitating lung disease, vitamin A deficiency, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and immobile cilia syndrome. Post surgical patients, paralyzed persons, and newborns with respiratory distress syndrome have reduced mucociliary transport. Apparatus  10  provides high frequency chest wall oscillations or pulses to enhance mucus clearance in a person  13  with reduced mucociliary transport. 
     Vest  11  located around the person&#39;s upper body or thorax  14  is supported on the person&#39;s shoulders  16  and  17 . As shown in FIG. 2, vest  11  expanded into substantial surface contact with the exterior of upper body  14  functions to apply repeated compression or pressure pulses, shown by arrows  18  to body  14 . The reaction of body  14  to the pressure pulses causes repetitive expansion of the body when the pressure pulses are in the low pressure phase of the pressure cycle. The pressure pulses subjected to lungs  19  and  21  and trachea  22  provide secretions and mucus clearance therapy. The thoracic cavity occupies only the upper part of the thoracic cage and contains right and left lungs  19  and  21 , heart  23 , arteries  24  and  26 , and rib cage  27 . The repeated pressure pulses applied to thorax  14  stimulates heart  23  and blood flow in arteries  24  and  26  and veins in the chest cavity. Muscular and nerve tensions are also relieved by the repetitive pressure pulses imparted to the front, sides, and back portions of thorax  14 . The lower part of the thoracic cage comprises the abdominal cavity  29  which reaches upward as high as the lower tip of the sternum so as to afford considerable protection to the large and easily injured abdominal organs, such as the liver, spleen, stomach, and kidneys. The two cavities are separated by a dome-shaped diaphragm  28 . Rib cage  27  has twelve ribs on each side of the trunk. The ribs consist of a series of thin, curved, rather elastic bones which articulate posteriorly with the thoracic vertebrae. The spaces between successive ribs are bridged by intercostal muscles. The rib cage  29  aids in the distribution of the pressure pulses to the lungs  19  and  21  and trachea  22 . 
     Vest  11  has an outside cover  31  comprising a non-elastic material, such as a nylon fabric. Other types of materials can be used for cover  31 . Cover  31  is secured to a flexible inside liner  32  located adjacent and around body  14 . Liner  32  is a flexible fabric, such as a porous cotton fabric, that allows air to flow through the fabric toward body  14 . A closure device  33 , shown as a zipper, secures the bottom of liner  32  to an upwardly directed end portion  34  of cover  31 . An air core or bladder  36  having internal chamber  37  and a manifold passage  38  is located between cover  31  and liner  32 . A plurality of air passages  39  between passage  38  and chamber  37  allow air to flow upwardly into chamber  37 . An elongated coil spring  41  in the lower portion of air core  36  inside manifold passage  38  maintains the manifold passage  38  open. Other types of structures that maintain manifold passage  38  open and allow air to flow through passage  38  can be used in the lower portion of air core  36 . The end portion  33  of non-elastic cover  31  and coil spring  41  substantially reduces the inward pressure of the vest on the abdominal cavity  29  and organs therein and reduces stress on the digestive system. Air core  36  has a plurality of vertically aligned air flow control apertures  42  that restrict the flow of air from air core chamber  37  into the space between cover  31  and liner  32 . The air flowing through porous liner  32  ventilates and cools body  14  surrounded by vest  11 . 
     Returning to FIG. 1, vest  11  has a pair of upright shoulder straps  43  and  44  laterally separated with a concave upper back edge. Upright front chest portions  46  and  47  are separated from straps  43  and  44  with concave curved upper edges which allow vest  11  to fit under the person&#39;s arms. Releasable fasteners, such as loop pads  48  and  49 , secured to the outer surfaces of chest portions  46  and  47  cooperate with hook pads (not shown) secured to the insides of shoulder straps  43  and  44  to releasably connect shoulder straps  43  and  44  to chest portions  46  and  47 . Shoulder straps  43  and  44  extend forwardly over shoulders  16  and  17  and downwardly over chest portions  46  and  47 . The hook and lop pads are releasable VELCRO fasteners that connect shoulder straps  43  and  44  to chest portions  46  and  47  and hold chest portions  46  and  47  adjacent the front of body  14 . 
     Vest  11  has a first lateral end flap  51  extended outwardly at the left side of the vest. A rectangular loop pad  52  secured to the outside of the end flap  51  cooperates with hook pads on a second lateral end flap  53  on the right side of vest  11  to hold vest  11  around body  14 . The hook and loop pads are VELCRO fasteners that allow vest  11  to be tightly wrapped around body  14 . 
     As shown in FIG. 1, a releasable retainer  54  connected to the vest end flaps hold the flaps  51  and  53  in over lapped positions and prevents the releasable hook and loop fasteners  52  from disengaging during the application of repetitive pulse to the body  14  on the person  13 . Retainer  54  comprises an elongated strap  56  secured at one end thereof to chest portion  53 . Opposite ends of strap  56  have hook and loop releasable fasteners  57  that allow strap  56  to be fastened into a D-ring. A pair of D-rings  58  and  59  attached to chest portion  46  are aligned with strap  56 . Strap  56  is looped through D-ring  58  and connected with fasteners  57  to hold the vest end flaps  51  and  53  and vest  11  around the body  14  of the person. The free end of strap  56  can be quickly pulled to release fasteners  57  and disengage retainer  54 . 
     In use, vest  11  is placed about the person&#39;s body  14 , as shown in FIG. 1, and held in place with shoulder straps  43  and  44 . Releasable fasteners  48  and  49  secure straps  43  and  44  to chest portions  46  and  47 . The vertical location of vest  11  on body  14  is adjusted by changing the connection relationship of straps  43  and  44  on releasable fasteners  48  and  49 . The circumferential location of vest  11  is maintained in a light fit around the person&#39;s body  13  with releasable fasteners  52 . Retainer  54  maintains fasteners  52  in engagement with each other and prevents disengagement during the pulsating of vest  11 . Strap  56  of retainer  54  is looped through one of the D-rings  58 ,  59  and attached together with hook and loop fasteners  57 . Air pulsator  12  is then connected with hose  61  to tube  62  at and end of to apply repetitive pressure pulses to body  14  of person  13 . 
     Air pressure and pulse generator  12  is mounted in a case  62  having an open top and a cover  63  hinged to case  62  operable to close case  62 . A handle  64  pivotally mounted on case  62  is used as a hand grip to facilitate transport of generator  12 . Case  62  and cover  63  have overall dimensions that allow the case to be an aircraft carryon item. 
     Air pressure and pulse generator  12  has a top member  66  mounted on case  62  enclosing the operating elements of the pulsator. Top member  66  is not readily removable from case  62  to prohibit unauthorized adjustments and repairs of the operating components of the air pressure and pulse generator  12 . Top member  67  supports a main electric power switch  67  and a front panel  68  having an operating timer  69 , a pulse frequency control knob  71  and an air pressure control knob  73 . Knobs  71  and  72  are manually rotated to adjust the frequency of the air pressure pulses and the air pressure in vest air core  36 . Timer  69  has a numerical read out panel  74  displaying count down time in minutes and seconds of a treatment cycle. A control knob  76  is used to select a time of a treatment cycle of between 0 to 30 minutes. The selected time period is registered on panel  74 . An ON and STOP switch  77  actuates timer  69  and pulsator motor  118 . Frequency control knob  71  and regulates a motor controller which controls the air pulse frequency from 5 to 25 cycles per second. The adjustment of the air pressure in air core  36  is controlled by turning knob  72 . The air pressure in air core  36  is controlled between atmosphere pressure and one psi. 
     As shown in FIGS. 5,  6  and  7 , air pressure and air pulse generator  12  has a combined air pulsator and pump unit  78  operable to create air pressure pulses, shown by arrows  79 , which are transported by hose  61  to air core  36 . Unit  78  has a rectangular metal case  81  having upright side walls  82  and  83  joined to end walls  84  and  85 . An internal wall  86  extended between and joined to side walls  82  and  83  separates an air pulsing chamber  87  from a manifold or vestibule chamber  88 . Manifold chamber  88  is between end wall  85  and inside wall  86 . The top and bottom of casing  81  is open. A pair of diaphragms  89  and  91  mounted on casing  81  close the casing openings to enclose the air pulsing chamber  87  located between diaphragms  89  and  91 . A first pan-shaped cover  92  secured to the top of case  81  with fasteners  93  is located outwardly of diaphragm  89 . The space between cover  92  and diaphragm  89  is a first pumping chamber  94  in fluid communication with manifold chamber  88  to allow air to flow into and out of chamber  94 . A second pan-shaped cover  96  secured to the bottom of case  81  with fasteners  97  is located outwardly from diaphragm  91 . The space between cover  96  and diaphragm  91  is a second air pumping chamber  98  in fluid communication with the manifold chamber  88  to allow air to flow between chambers  88  and  98 . Air flows from pumping chambers  94  and  98  into manifold chamber  88  and from manifold chamber  88  into pulsing chamber  87  through a one-way valve or check valve  99 , shown by arrow  100  in FIG.  14 . Valve  99  when closed, as shown in FIG. 8, prevents the flow of air from pulsing chamber  87  back to manifold chamber  88 . Valve  99 , shown in FIG. 8, has a cylindrical housing  101  mounted on wall  86 . Housing  101  has a passage  102  open to chambers  87  and  88  accommodating a valving member or disk  103  movable between open and closed positions. A transverse pin  104  mounted on housing  101  retains disk  103  in passage  102  and provides a fulcrum for disk  103  to allow disk  103  to pivot to its open position. One or more one-way valves mounted on wall  86  can be used to permit air to flow from manifold chamber into pulsating chamber  87  and block reverse flow of air from pulsating chamber  87  back to manifold chamber  88 . 
     Diaphragm  89  has a rectangular rigid metal plate  106  joined to a peripheral flexible flange  107  of rubber or plastic. The inner portion of flange  107  is bifurcated and bonded to opposite sides of plate  106 . The outer portion of flange  107  is clamped with fasteners  93  between cover  92  and casing  81 . As shown in FIGS. 8,  9 ,  14  and  15 , flange  107  has an opening  108  allowing air to flow between first pumping chamber  94  and manifold chamber  88 . Flexible flange  107  has an accordion fold section  109  comprising upward and downward directed ribs that allow linear lateral movement of plate  106  without stretching and stressing the flexible material of flange  107 . Diaphragm  91  has a rigid metal plate  11  located on the bottom side of chamber  87  and parallel to plate  106 . A flexible flange  112  joined to plate  106  is clamped with fasteners  97  between casing  81  and cover  96 . Flange  112  has an opening  113  allowing air to flow between manifold chamber  88  and second pumping chamber  98 . A middle section of flange  112  around plate  111  has an accordion fold section that allows linear lateral movement of plate  111  without stretching and stressing the flexible material of flange  112 . 
     Diaphragms  89  and  91  are linearly moved in opposite lateral directions with linear motion transmission assemblies indicated generally at  116  and  117  driven with a variable speed dc electric motor  118 . A belt and pulley power transmission  119  driveably connects motor  118  to motion transmission assemblies  116  and  117 . As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, motion transmission assembly  116  has a cross member  121  secured with fasteners  122  and  123  to casing side walls  82  and  83 . Member  121  has a pair of parallel upright guide surfaces  124  and  126 . A yoke  127  having opposite sides located in sliding engagement with guide surfaces  124  and  126  is secured to plate  106  with a pair of bolts  128  and  129 . Bolts  128  and  129  extended through holes  131  and  132  in plate  107  prevent relative movement, including pivotal movement, between yoke  127  and plate  106 . Yoke  127  has only linear reciprocating movement which prevents rocking and angular movement of diaphragm  89  during reciprocation thereof. As seen in FIG. 13, yoke  127  has a lateral opening or window  133  accommodating a slide block  134 . Block  134  has a bore accommodating an eccentric  136  mounted on a shaft  137 . Eccentric  136  is surrounded with a bearing  138  located in the bore of slide block  134 . Yoke  127 , slide block  134 , eccentric  136  and shaft  137  are known as a scotch yoke power transmission assembly. A second scotch yoke power transmission assembly operatively connected to plate  111  of diaphragm  91  comprises a yoke  139  secured with a pair of bolts  140  and  141  to plate  111 . Bolts  140  and  141  prevent relative movement, including pivotal movement, of yoke  139  relative to plate  111  whereby diaphragm  91  has only linear reciprocating movements. Yoke  139  has outside upright sides located in sliding engagement with upright guide surfaces  142  and  143  of a second cross member  144  which restricts movement of yoke  139  to reciprocating linear movement. Returning to FIG. 11, fasteners  146  and  147  are secured to cross member  144  to casing side walls  82  and  83 . Second cross member  144  is located adjacent first cross member and rotably accommodates the outer end of shaft  137 , as shown in FIGS. 8,  14  and  15 . Yoke  139  has an opening or window  148  slidably accommodating a slide block  149  having a cylindrical bore for a bearing  152  and eccentric  151  secured to shaft  137 . Eccentric  151  is located diametrically opposite eccentric  136 , as shown in FIG. 14, so as to provide rotational balance to the scotch yoke power transmission assemblies. 
     Returning to FIG. 11, belt and pulley power transmission  119  has a small drive pulley  153  connected to drive shaft  154  of motor  118 . A first endless belt  156  located about pulley  153  and a large pulley  157  secured to a jack shaft  158  transmits power to shaft  137  with a small pulley  162  on jack shaft  158  and an endless belt  163  coupling pulley  162  to a large pulley  164  secured to shaft  137 . The small and large pulleys  153 ,  157  and  162 ,  164  provide power transmission  119  with speed reduction operation of shaft  137 . As shown in FIGS. 6,  8  and  11 , motion transmission assemblies  116  and  117 , and belt and pulley power transmission  119  are located in pulsing chamber  87  and are surrounded by casing  81  and diaphragms  89  and  91 . The isolation of the motion transmission assemblies  116  and  117  in chamber  87  reduces noise and protects these assemblies and belt and pulley power transmission  119  from external environmental contaminates. 
     The speed of dc motor  118  is regulated with a controller  166  connected to a manual rotatable knob  71  located in a user friendly position on control panel  68 , as seen in FIGS. 1 and 4. Controller  166  is a commercial dc motor speed control unit operable to vary the voltage to dc motor  118  to control the operating speed of the motor. An example of controller  166  is controller Model XP05 of Minarik Corporation, Glendale, Calif. Other dc motor controllers can be used to control the speed of motor  118 . As shown in FIG. 5, controller  166  is wired to timer  69  which has a switch  77  that is manually operable to connect controller  166  with a source of electric power to operate dc motor  118 . 
     The pressure of the air in manifold chamber  88  is controlled with a variable orifice proportional free-flow valve  167  operable to restrict or choke the flow of air into and out of manifold chamber  88 . Valve  167  has a body  168  having a passage  169 . An air flow restnctor  171 , shown as a threaded member, mounted on body  168  and extended into passage  169  regulates the flow of air through passage  169  into a tube  172 . Other types of air flow restrictors, such as a rotatable grooved ball, can be used to regulate air flow through valve  167 . The remote end of tube  172  is connected to an elbow  173  mounted on casing wall  85 . Elbow  173  has a passage  174  open to manifold chamber  88  to allow air to flow into manifold chamber  88 . A hole  175  in elbow  173  allows a limited amount of air to flow into and out of passage  174 . A cylindrical porous member  176  mounted on body  168  filters and allows air to flow into and out of passage  169  and attenuates noise of air flowing through passage  169 . Knob  72  is mechanically connected to restrictor  171  whereby rotation of knob  72  changes the restriction size of the air flow passage  169  and the rate of flow of air through passage  169 . The rate of air flow through passage  169  controls the volume of air that flows into and out of manifold chamber  88 . The volume of air in manifold chamber  88  and pumping chambers  94  and  98  is proportional to the pressure of the air in manifold chamber  88  generated by linear lateral movements of diaphragms  89  and  91 , shown by arrows  177  and  178  in FIG.  6 . The adjustment of valve  167  regulates the pressure of the air in manifold chamber  88 , shown at  183  in FIG. 7, The air pressure in manifold chamber  88  follows a sine wave due to the harmonic linear reciprocating motion of diaphragms  89  and  91 . The pressure of the air in pulsing chamber  87 , shown at  184 , has a sine wave opposite the sine wave of air pressure  183 . When the air pressure in manifold chamber  88  exceeds the air pressure in pulsing chamber  87 , air flows from manifold chamber  88 , through one-way valve  99  into pulsing chamber  87  and from pulsing chamber into the air chamber  37  of air core  36 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, an air flow control member  181  having a longitudinal passage  182  is mounted on the air inlet side of elbow  173 . Member  181  modulates the air flow into and out of manifold chamber  88  to compensate for variations in air flow in tube  172 , valve  167  and porous member  176 . 
     In use, vest  11  is placed about the person&#39;s upper body or chest  14 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Shoulder straps  43  and  44  connected to loop pads  48  and  49  vertically support vest  11  on person  13 . The circumferential portion of vest  11  around body  14  is maintained in a comfortable snug fit with releasable connectors  52  and  54 . Air pressure and pulse generator  12  is connected to the air core  36  within vest  11  with flexible tube  61 . The remote end of tube  61  is connected to the air inlet end  60  of air manifold passage  38  of air core  36 . Person  13  or the care person sets knobs  71  and  72  to select the pulsing frequency of the air pulses from 5 Hz to 25 Hz and the air pressure within air core  36 . The duration of the pulsing session is selected by turning knob  76  of timer  79 . The selected time of the session, for example 10 minutes, is displayed on time read out panel  74 . Timer  69  is adjustable form 1 second to 30 minutes. The operation of air pressure and pulse generator  12  is commenced by pushing switch  77  on timer  69  to its ON position. Switch  77  also starts a count down of timer  69 . When timer  69  has reached zero, the electric power to air pressure and pulse generator  12  is terminated. Switch  77  can be pushed during operation of air pressure and pulse generator  12  to stop the operation of the generator. As shown in FIG. 1, timer  69 , frequency control knob  71 , and pressure control knob  72  are located on front panel  68  for user friendly convenience and use. The rotational position of knob  71  regulates operation of motor controller  166  which controls the speed of dc motor  118 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 6,  8 ,  11 ,  14  and  15 , motor  118  through power transmission  119  rotates shaft  137  and turns eccentrics  136  and  151  about the axis of shaft  137 . Eccentrics  136  and  151  laterally move slide blocks  134  and  149  relative to yokes  127  and  139  and linearly reciprocate yokes  127  and  139 . Diaphragms  89  and  91  directed secured with bolts  128 ,  129 ,  140  and  141  to yokes  127  and  139  are linearly moved outwardly, shown by arrows  186  and  187  in FIGS. 12,  13  and  15 , and inwardly, shown by arrows  117  and  178  in FIGS. 6 and 15. As shown in FIG. 15, when diaphragms  89  and  91  are linearly moved inwardly toward each other air flows from manifold chamber  88  into pumping chamber  94  and  98 . A restricted amount of air flows through valve  167  and air flow control member  181  into manifold chamber  88 . Knob  72  is adjusted to control air flow through valve  167  thereby control the amount and pressure of air in manifold chamber  88 . Inward movement of diaphragms  89  and  91  increase the pressure of air in pulsing chamber  87  closing one-way valve  99  and transferring air under pressure through hose  61  to air core  36 . Air core  36  expands inwardly to retain flexible liner  32  of vest  11  in firm engagement with the chest and back of person  13 . Linear inward and outward movements of diaphragms  89  and  91  generate air pressure pulses in chamber  87  and air core  36  which applies repetitive forces, shown by arrows  18 , to the chest and back of person  13  to simultaneously apply high frequency oscillation therapy to all lobes of the lungs and airway passages to enhance removal of mucus, secretions, and like materials therefrom. 
     As shown in FIGS. 12 to  14 , outward linear movements of diaphragms  89  and  91  force air out of pumping chambers into manifold chamber  88  thereby increasing the pressure of the air in manifold chamber  88 . When the pressure of the air in manifold chamber  88  exceeds the pressure of the air in pumping chamber  87 , one-way valve  99  opens to allow air to flow from manifold chamber  88  into pulsing chamber  87 , shown by arrow  100  in FIG. 14, thereby increasing the pressure of the air in pulsing chamber  87  and air core  36 . One-way valve  99  closes in response to a drop in air pressure in manifold chamber  88  and prevents back flow of air from pulsing chamber  87  into manifold chamber  88 . The size of passage  182  limits the amount of air that can flow into manifold chamber  88  thereby preventing excess pressure of air in manifold chamber  88  in the event that valve  167  becomes inoperative. Hole  175  in elbow  173  allows a limited amount of air to flow into and out of manifold chamber  88  to maintain a minimum pressure of air in pulsing chamber  87  and air core  36  in the event that valve  167  is closed. 
     Diaphragms  89  and  91  when linearly moved in opposite directions by the linear motion transmission assemblies  116  and  117  repetitively perform the dual functions of establishing air pressure and pulsing the air in pulsing chamber  87  and air core  36 . The frequency of air pulses is controlled between 5 and 25 cycles per second by varying the speed of dc motor  118 . Motor controller  166  is adjusted with manual control knob  71  used by person  13  or the caregiver to alter the speed of motor  118  to change the pulse frequency of the air pulses in pulsing chamber  87  and air core  36 . The valve  167  restricts the flow of air into and out of manifold chamber  88  to regulate the pressure of the air in manifold chamber  88  which is transferred through check valve  99  to pulsing chamber  87  responsive to the linear movements of diaphragms  89  and  91 . 
     Hose  61  directs air under pressure and air pulses to air manifold passage  38  in the bottom of air core  36 . An elongated coiled spring  41  within air core  36  maintains passage  38  open to allow air to flow through openings  39  upwardly into air chamber  37 . The air pulsing in chamber  37  applies inwardly and upwardly directed pulsing forces to the person&#39;s rib cage  27  which transfers the pulsing forces to the lungs and airway passages. The outer cover  31  of vest  11  being non-elastic material limits outward expansion of air core  36 . Outer cover  31  extended around the lower portion of air core  36  containing coil spring  36  limits inward pressure of air core  36  on the person&#39;s abdomen. The frequency of the pulses range from 5 to 25 cycles per second. The pulse forces loosen mucus and secretions from the lungs and airway passages toward the mouth where they can be removed by normal coughing. Air core  36  has a plurality of small openings or holes  42  which allow limited amounts of air to flow out of chamber  37  into vest  11 . The air ventilates and cools the upper body  14  surrounded by vest  11  and deflates air core  36  when air pressure and pulse generator  12  is turned OFF. 
     The body pulsating apparatus and method has been described as applicable to persons having cystic fibrosis. The body pulsating apparatus and method is applicable to bronchiectasis persons, post-surgical atelectasis, and stage neuromuscular disease, ventilator dependent patients experiencing frequent pneumonias, and persons with reduced mobility or poor tolerance of Trendelenburg positioning. Person with secretion clearance problems arising from a broad range of diseases and conditions are candidates for therapy using the body pulsating apparatus and method of the invention. 
     The present disclosure is a preferred embodiment of the body pulsating apparatus and method. It is understood that the body pulsating apparatus is not to be limited to the specific materials, constructions and arrangements shown and described. It is understood that changes in parts, materials, arrangement and locations of structures may be made without departing from the invention.