BLOOD FLOW RESTRICTION GARMENT CONTROLLER, BLOOD FLOW RESTRICTION GARMENT SYSTEM, METHODS FOR CONTROLLING BLOOD FLOW RESTRICTION GARMENTS, METHODS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRONIC DEVICES, AND COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Abstract

A blood flow restrictive garment controller, a blood flow restrictive garment system, a method of controlling a blood flow restrictive garment, a method of controlling an electronic device, and computer software, the blood flow restrictive garment controller comprising: a pump configured to increase pressure in a bladder of the blood flow restrictive garment, an air pressure sensor configured to measure pressure in the bladder and provide a signal indicative of the measured pressure, a valve configured to control pressure in the bladder and having at least two operating states including an open state and a closed state, at least one or more of an inertial measurement unit, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope configured to determine a movement of the blood flow restrictive garment controller and provide a signal indicative of the determined movement, and processing means for providing a signal to control the valve by selecting one of the at least two operating states, the signal to control the valve being based on at least one of the signal indicative of the measured pressure and the signal indicative of the determined movement.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a blood flow restrictive garment controller, a blood flow restrictive garment system, a method of controlling a blood flow restrictive garment, a method of controlling an electronic device, and computer software. [Background technology]

[0002] Blood flow restriction (BFR) training combines partial obstruction of blood flow with low-intensity exercise to mimic traditional high-intensity exercise.

[0003] BFR training restricts blood, and therefore oxygen, to working groups of muscles by applying mechanical pressure to a limb or set of limbs using a compression garment. The absolute amount of mechanical pressure applied varies from person to person based on limb circumference, limb tissue composition, and other biological factors.

[0004] BFR is a scientifically validated method that utilizes low-intensity exercise to improve a subject's muscle tissue and cardiovascular system.

[0005] BFR training often requires manual adjustment of the compression garment by the operator, which can be time consuming. The compression garment is often connected to an external pump via connecting pipes and then to an external controller. For this reason, BFR training is often limited to one room and cannot be moved between locations. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a blood flow restricting garment controller comprising: a pump configured to increase pressure in a bladder of the blood flow restricting garment, an air pressure sensor configured to measure pressure in the bladder and provide a signal indicative of the measured pressure, a valve configured to control pressure in the bladder and having at least two operating states including an open state and a closed state, at least one or more of an inertial measurement unit, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope configured to determine movement of the blood flow restricting garment controller and provide a signal indicative of the determined movement, and processing means for providing a signal to control the valve by selecting one of the at least two operating states, wherein the signal to control the valve is based on at least one of the signal indicative of the measured pressure and the signal indicative of the determined movement.

[0007] In some examples, the blood flow restrictive garment controller includes a communications module for communicating with an electronic device.

[0008] In some examples, the blood flow restrictive garment controller is configured to transmit at least one of a signal indicative of the measured pressure and a signal indicative of the determined movement to an electronic device using a communications module.

[0009] In some examples, a blood flow restricting garment controller includes a housing configured to be removably attached to a blood flow restricting garment.

[0010] In some examples, the blood flow restriction garment controller includes a connector for connecting the air pressure sensor to the bladder and a connector for connecting the pump to the bladder, and the housing includes one or more openings that allow the connector for the air pressure sensor and the connector for the pump to be connected to the bladder.

[0011] In some examples, the blood flow restrictive garment controller is configured to be powered by a portable energy storage means.

[0012] In some examples, the air bladder is configured to maintain pressure within the bladder.

[0013] In some examples, the processing means is configured to control a pump in combination with controlling the valve to control the pressure in the bladder.

[0014] According to the present invention, there is provided a blood flow restricting garment system comprising: A blood flow restrictive garment controller according to paragraphs

[0006] to

[0014] , the blood flow restrictive garment controller comprising a communication module for communicating with an electronic device; an electronic device; The electronic device comprises an electronic device processing means, the electronic device processing means comprising: acquiring athletic data indicative of at least one athletic movement to be performed by a user of the blood flow restrictive garment; The device is configured to identify an athletic motion by a user based on analysis of at least one of a signal indicative of the measured pressure and a signal indicative of the determined motion using a machine learning model trained with an athletic motion databank including motion data and pressure data associated with different types of athletic motion.

[0015] In some examples, controlling pressure in the bladder based on the identified athletic actions by the user and the athletic data. A control signal is sent to a communication module of the blood flow restriction garment controller to control the valve to control the pressure within the bladder.

[0016] In some examples, the athletic data indicates different intensity levels of athletic movements that the user should perform, and the electronic device determines that the pressure in the bladder needs to be altered to enable the user to perform the athletic movements at the different intensity levels.

[0017] In some examples, the athletic data determines that a goal is to maintain the same mechanical work rate over a number of repetitions of an athletic movement to be performed by a user, and the electronic device needs to control the pressure in the bladder to enable the user to maintain the same mechanical work rate over the number of repetitions.

[0018] In some examples, the athletic data may target maintaining the same mechanical work rate over a period of time that the user is to perform the athletic movement, and the electronic device may determine that the pressure in the bladder needs to be controlled in order for the user to maintain the same mechanical work rate over the period of time.

[0019] In some examples, the athletic data indicates a sequence of athletic movements that a user should perform in sequence, and the electronic device determines that the pressure in the bladder needs to be controlled for the next athletic movement in the sequence.

[0020] In some examples, the electronic device is configured to determine that the identified athletic performance by the user deviates from the athletic data and to modify the athletic data in response to the deviation.

[0021] In some examples, the electronic device is configured to determine that an identified athletic motion by the user deviates from the athletic data and that the pressure in the bladder needs to be controlled to reduce the deviation.

[0022] In some examples, the electronic device is configured to modify the athletic data based on the expert data and the identified athletic action by the user.

[0023] In some examples, the electronic device is configured to modify the athletic data based on the athletic performance databank and the identified athletic performance by the user.

[0024] In some examples, the athletic data is initially based on user data, expert data, and / or an athletic performance databank.

[0025] In some examples, the blood flow restrictive garment system comprises a blood flow restrictive garment.

[0026] In some examples, the blood flow restricting garment includes a controller receiving portion configured to receive a blood flow restricting garment controller such that the blood flow restricting garment controller is removably attached to the blood flow restricting garment.

[0027] According to the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a blood flow restrictive garment, the method comprising: receiving, at a processing means of the blood flow restriction garment controller, a signal from an air pressure sensor of the blood flow restriction garment controller indicative of a measured pressure in an air bladder of the blood flow restriction garment; receiving, at a processing means of the blood flow restrictive garment controller, signals indicative of the determined movement from at least one of an inertial measurement unit, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope; providing a signal to control a valve of the blood flow restriction garment controller by selecting one of at least two operating states; The operating states include an open state and a closed state, and the signal controlling the valve is based on at least one of the signal indicative of the measured pressure and the signal indicative of the determined movement.

[0028] In some examples, the method includes transmitting, using a communications module of the blood flow restrictive garment controller, at least one of a signal indicative of the measured pressure and a signal indicative of the determined movement to an electronic device.

[0029] In some examples, the method includes maintaining pressure in the bladder.

[0030] In some examples, the method includes controlling a pump in combination with controlling a valve to control pressure in the bladder.

[0031] According to the present invention, there is provided computer software which, when executed on a processing means of a blood flow restrictive garment controller, performs any of the methods of paragraphs

[0027] to

[0030] . Optionally, the computer software is stored on a computer readable medium. Optionally, the computer software is tangibly stored on the computer readable medium.

[0032] In a further aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processing means of a blood flow restricting garment controller, cause the processing means to perform any of the methods of paragraphs

[0027] to

[0030] .

[0033] According to the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an electronic device, the method comprising the steps of: acquiring, using an electronic device processing means of the electronic device, athletic data indicative of at least one athletic motion to be performed by a user of the blood flow restrictive garment; and using the electronic device processing means to identify an athletic motion by the user based on analysis of at least one of the signals indicative of the measured pressure in the bladder of the blood flow restriction garment and the signals indicative of the determined movement using a machine learning model trained with an athletic motion databank including motion data and pressure data associated with different types of athletic motion; A signal indicative of the measured pressure in the bladder and a signal indicative of the determined movement are received from a blood flow restriction garment controller.

[0034] In some examples, the method further comprises: controlling pressure in the bladder based on the identified athletic action by the user and the athletic data; and The method further includes sending a control signal to a communication module of the blood flow restriction garment controller to control the valve to control the pressure in the bladder.

[0035] In some examples, the athletic data indicates different intensity levels of athletic movements that the user should perform, and the method additionally includes the electronic device determining that the pressure in the bladder needs to be altered to enable the user to perform the athletic movements at the different intensity levels.

[0036] In some examples, the athletic data has a goal of maintaining the same mechanical work speed over a number of repetitions of an athletic movement to be performed by the user, and the method additionally includes the electronic device determining that the pressure in the bladder needs to be controlled in order for the user to maintain the same mechanical work speed over the number of repetitions.

[0037] In some examples, the athletic data includes a goal of maintaining the same mechanical work speed over a period of time during which the user is to perform the athletic movement, and the method additionally includes the electronic device determining that the pressure in the bladder needs to be controlled in order for the user to maintain the same mechanical work speed over the period of time.

[0038] In some examples, the athletic data indicates a sequence of athletic movements that the user should perform sequentially, and the method additionally includes the electronic device determining that pressure in the air bladder needs to be controlled for the next athletic movement in the sequence.

[0039] In some examples, the method additionally includes the electronic device determining that the identified athletic performance by the user deviates from the athletic data and modifying the athletic data in response to the deviation.

[0040] In some examples, the method further includes the electronic device determining that the identified athletic motion by the user deviates from the athletic data and determining that the pressure in the bladder needs to be controlled to reduce the deviation.

[0041] In some examples, the method further includes the electronic device modifying the athletic data based on the expert data and the identified athletic action by the user.

[0042] In some examples, the method additionally includes the electronic device modifying the athletic data based on the athletic performance databank and the identified athletic performance by the user.

[0043] In some examples, the method additionally includes initially basing the athletic data on user data, expert data, and an athletic performance databank.

[0044] According to the present invention, there is provided computer software configured to perform any of the methods of paragraphs

[0033] to

[0043] when executed on an electronic device processing means. Optionally, the computer software is stored on a computer readable medium. Optionally, the computer software is physically stored on the computer readable medium.

[0045] In a further aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by an electronic device processing means, cause the electronic device processing means to perform any of the methods of paragraphs

[0033] to

[0043] .

[0046] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a blood flow restrictive garment, the method comprising: receiving, at a processing means of the blood flow restriction garment controller, a signal from an air pressure sensor of the blood flow restriction garment controller indicative of a measured pressure in an air bladder of the blood flow restriction garment; receiving, at a processing means of the blood flow restrictive garment controller, signals indicative of the determined movement from at least one of an inertial measurement unit, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope; providing a signal that controls a valve of the blood flow restricting garment controller by selecting one of at least two operating states, the operating states including an open state and a closed state, the signal being based on at least one of the signal indicative of the measured pressure and the signal indicative of the determined movement; acquiring, using an electronic device processing means of the electronic device, athletic data indicative of at least one athletic motion to be performed by a user of the blood flow restrictive garment; and and using the electronic device processing means to identify an athletic motion by the user based on analysis of at least one of the signals indicative of the measured pressure of the bladder of the blood flow restriction garment and the signals indicative of the determined movement using a machine learning model trained with an athletic motion databank of motion data and pressure data associated with different types of athletic motions, the signals indicative of the measured pressure of the bladder of the blood flow restriction garment being received from a blood flow restriction garment controller.

[0047] In some examples, the method includes any one of the steps of paragraphs

[0028] to

[0030] and

[0034] to

[0043] .

[0048] According to the present invention there is provided computer software arranged to perform any of the methods disclosed herein when executed on a processing means of said controller and on a processing means of said electronic device. Optionally, the computer software is stored on a computer readable medium. Optionally, the computer software is physically stored on the computer readable medium.

[0049] In a further aspect, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium is provided having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a processing means of a controller and an electronic device processing means, cause the electronic device processing means to perform any of the methods disclosed herein.

[0050] According to the present invention there is provided an electronic device comprising electronic device processing means, the electronic device processing means comprising: acquiring athletic data indicative of at least one athletic movement to be performed by a user of the blood flow restrictive garment; The apparatus is configured to identify an athletic motion by a user based on an analysis of at least one of a signal indicative of a measured pressure and a signal indicative of a determined movement using a machine learning model trained with an athletic motion databank including motion data and pressure data associated with different types of athletic motions. The signal indicative of a measured pressure and a signal indicative of a determined movement are received from a blood flow restriction garment controller.

[0051] In some examples, the electronic device comprises: controlling pressure in the bladder based on the identified athletic actions by the user and the athletic data; A control signal is sent to a communication module of the blood flow restriction garment controller to control the valve to control the pressure within the bladder.

[0052] In some examples, the athletic data indicates different intensity levels of athletic movements that the user should perform, and the electronic device determines that the pressure in the bladder needs to be altered to enable the user to perform the athletic movements at the different intensity levels.

[0053] In some examples, the athletic data has a goal of maintaining the same mechanical work rate over a number of repetitions of an athletic movement to be performed by the user, and the electronic device determines that the pressure in the bladder needs to be controlled in order for the user to maintain the same mechanical work rate over the number of repetitions.

[0054] In some examples, the athletic data may target maintaining the same mechanical work rate over a period of time that the user is to perform the athletic movement, and the electronic device may determine that the pressure in the bladder needs to be controlled in order for the user to maintain the same mechanical work rate over the period of time.

[0055] In some examples, the athletic data indicates a sequence of athletic movements that a user should perform in sequence, and the electronic device determines that the pressure in the bladder needs to be controlled for the next athletic movement in the sequence.

[0056] In some examples, the electronic device is configured to determine that the identified athletic performance by the user deviates from the athletic data and to modify the athletic data in response to the deviation.

[0057] In some examples, the electronic device is configured to determine that an identified athletic motion by the user deviates from the athletic data and that the pressure in the bladder needs to be controlled to reduce the deviation.

[0058] In some examples, the electronic device is configured to modify the athletic data based on the expert data and the identified athletic action by the user.

[0059] In some examples, the electronic device is configured to modify the athletic data based on the athletic performance databank and the identified athletic performance by the user.

[0060] In some examples, the athletic data is initially based on user data, expert data, and / or an athletic performance databank. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0061] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary blood flow restriction garment controller. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary processing means of an exemplary blood flow restriction garment controller. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary blood flow restriction garment controller and electronic device. [Figure 3A] 1 illustrates an exemplary blood flow restricting garment controller and an exemplary blood flow restricting garment. [Figure 3B] 1 illustrates an exemplary blood flow restricting garment controller and an exemplary blood flow restricting garment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary blood flow restriction garment controller. [Figure 5A] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary blood flow restrictive garment controller. [Figure 5B]1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary blood flow restrictive garment controller and an exemplary blood flow restrictive garment. [Figure 6] An exemplary block diagram is shown. [Figure 7A] An exemplary block diagram is shown. [Figure 7B] An exemplary block diagram is shown. [Figure 8A] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary blood flow restricting garment system. [Figure 8B] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary blood flow restricting garment system. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary athletic data. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary athletic data and data inputs. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 illustrates a machine learning model. [Figure 12A] 1 illustrates a user, an exemplary blood flow restricting garment controller, and an exemplary blood flow restricting garment. [Figure 12B] 1 illustrates a user, an exemplary blood flow restricting garment controller, and an exemplary blood flow restricting garment. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary method. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0062] 1A illustrates an exemplary blood flow restricting garment control 100. The blood flow restricting garment control 100 includes a pump 110 configured to increase pressure within an air bladder of the blood flow restricting garment.

[0063] Controller 100 also includes an air pressure sensor 120 configured to measure the pressure in the bladder and provide a signal indicative of the measured pressure.

[0064] Controller 100 also includes a valve 130 configured to control the pressure in the bladder. Valve 130 has at least two operational states, including an open state and a closed state.

[0065] Controller 100 also includes at least one or more of an inertial measurement unit 140, an accelerometer 141, and a gyroscope 142. In the example of Figure 1A, controller 100 includes an inertial measurement unit 140. At least one or more of inertial measurement unit 140, accelerometer 141, and gyroscope 142 are configured to determine movement of blood flow restriction garment controller 100 and provide a signal indicative of the determined movement.

[0066] The controller 100 also comprises a processing means 150 for providing a signal that controls the valve 130 by selecting one of at least two operating states. The signal that controls the valve 130 is based on at least one of a signal indicative of the measured pressure and a signal indicative of the determined movement.

[0067] Valve 130 may be, for example, a solenoid valve.

[0068] 1A has the advantage that it can automatically control the blood flow restrictive garment to change the pressure in the bladder based on user movement, which is detected by controller 100 determining that it has moved, and it also has the advantage that the measured pressure can be used to automatically control the bladder pressure.

[0069] 1B illustrates an exemplary processing means 150 of an exemplary blood flow restrictive garment controller 100. The processing means 150 of this example comprises a processor 151 and a memory 152. The processor 151 is configured to operatively execute computer software / computer program code thereon. The computer software / computer program code is stored on a computer readable medium accessible to the processor 151. The computer readable medium may be one or more memory devices. The one or more memory devices may also store data for use by the software / program code (e.g., memory 152, or a separate memory store external to the processing means 150).

[0070] The processing means 150 may receive data as one or more inputs 160 and may provide data as one or more outputs 170. It will be appreciated that in other examples, the memory 152 is not part of the processing means 150, but is part of a physically separate computer system accessible to the processing means 150. In some examples, the processing means 150 may be referred to as a processing unit 150.

[0071] 2 illustrates an exemplary blood flow restrictive garment controller 100. The controller 100 includes a communication module 200 for communicating with a communication module 220 of an electronic device 210. The communication module 200 of the controller 100 may include a Bluetooth module for communicating with the communication module 220 of the electronic device 210. The communication module 220 of the electronic device 210 may include a Bluetooth module. In another example, the communication module 200 of the controller 100 and the communication module 220 of the electronic device 210 may be connected via one or more networks, such as a local area network (LAN), and a computer network, including the Internet.

[0072] The blood flow restrictive garment controller 100 is configured to transmit at least one of a signal indicative of the measured pressure and a signal indicative of the determined movement to an electronic device 210 using a communications module 200 of the controller 100 .

[0073] 3A illustrates an exemplary blood flow restrictive garment controller 100. In this example, the controller 100 includes a housing 300 configured to be removably attached to a blood flow restrictive garment 310.

[0074] In this example, blood flow restricting garment 310 includes a controller receiver 320. Controller receiver 320 may be referred to as a holder or bumper. Receiver 320 is configured to allow controller 100 to be releasably snap-fitted into receiver 320. In this example, receiver 320 comprises a deformable hard plastic such that a sidewall of receiver 320 deforms slightly to allow housing 300 to snap-fit ​​into receiver 320. Controller 100 can be released from receiver 320 by pushing on the controller to slightly deform the sidewall of receiver 320.

[0075] 3A, the receiver 320 of the blood flow restricting garment 310 is shown as being separate from the remainder of the garment 310. The receiver 320 may be releasably attached to the remainder of the garment 310. In other examples, the receiver 320 may be welded or glued to the remainder of the garment 310 and / or sewn into the fabric of the garment 310.

[0076] In the example of FIG. 3A, the controller 100 includes a screen 340, which will be described later.

[0077] In the example of FIG. 3A, apparel 310 includes first bladder connector 350 and second bladder connector 360.

[0078] 3B, controller 100 in this example includes connector 380 for connecting air pressure sensor 120 to a bladder and connector 370 for connecting pump 110 to a bladder. Connector 370 for connecting pump 110 to a bladder can be connected to first bladder connector 350, and connector 380 for connecting air pressure sensor 120 to a bladder can be connected to second bladder connector 360.

[0079] The pump 110 connector 370, the air pressure sensor 120 connector 380, the first bladder connector 350, and the second bladder connector 360 may comprise flexible tubing that may allow for a friction seal when the pump 110 connector 370 is coupled to the first bladder connector 350 and the air pressure sensor connector 380 is coupled to the second bladder connector 360. For example, the diameter of the flexible tubing of the pump 110 connector 370 and the air pressure sensor 120 connector 380 may be sized such that they can fit within the flexible tubing of the first bladder connector 350 and the second bladder connector 360, respectively, by contacting the inner surfaces of the first bladder connector 350 and the second bladder connector 360 and flexing slightly to accommodate the pump 110 connector 370 and the air pressure sensor 120 connector 380.

[0080] Frictional contact between connector 370 for pump 110 and first bladder connector 350, and connector 380 for air pressure sensor 120 and second bladder connector 360 seals the connections between pump 110 and the bladder, and between air pressure sensor 120 and the bladder.

[0081] 3B, housing 300 of controller 100 has an opening for connector 370 for pump 110 and an opening for connector 380 for air pressure sensor 120. Receiving portion 320 includes openings 321, 322, which allow connector 370 for pump 110 and connector 380 for air pressure sensor 120 to pass through openings 321, 322 and connect to first bladder connector 350 and second bladder connector 360.

[0082] 4 illustrates an exemplary blood flow restrictive garment controller 100. In this example, blood flow restrictive garment controller 100 is configured to be powered by a portable energy storage means 400. In this particular example, controller 100 includes portable energy storage means 400. Portable energy storage means 400 may be one or more rechargeable batteries, such as one or more lithium ion batteries integrated into housing 300 and rechargeable via cables and connections built into controller 100. In other examples, portable energy storage means 400 may include one or more removable batteries, and housing 300 may include an openable battery compartment and battery terminals to facilitate replacement of one or more batteries.

[0083] 5A shows an exemplary blood flow restrictive garment controller 100 in cross section. In this example, the portable energy storage means 400 comprises two batteries. The controller 100 in this example comprises a printed circuit board 500. The processing means 150 and at least one or more of the inertial measurement unit 140, the accelerometer 141 and the gyroscope 142 are mounted on the printed circuit board 500. The air pressure sensor 120 is not visible in FIG. 5A.

[0084] Figure 5B illustrates an exemplary blood flow restriction garment controller 100 in cross section along an axis perpendicular to that shown in Figure 5A. Figure 5B illustrates the controller 100 attached to a blood flow restriction garment 310. Figure 5B also illustrates a connector 370 for a pump 110 connected to the first bladder connector 350, and a connector 380 for an air pressure sensor 120 connected to the second bladder connector 360. The air pressure sensor 120 is shown connected to the connector 380.

[0085] 6 shows an exemplary schematic diagram of signal and air connections between components of the blood flow restrictive garment controller 100 and the blood flow restrictive garment 310. The air connections comprise tubing. In this example, the controller 100 comprises at least one user control 600, such as at least one button. One or more of the at least one user control 600 are configured to provide a signal 610 as an input to the processing means 150 to turn the controller 100 on or off.

[0086] The processing means 150 may receive as an input a signal 614 indicative of the pressure measured by the air pressure sensor 120 via a pneumatic connection 625 between the bladder of the blood flow restricting garment 310 and the air pressure sensor 120. The processing means 150 may provide as an output a signal 616 to the valve 130 that controls the valve 130 by selecting one of at least two operating states to control the pressure in the bladder of the blood flow restricting garment 310.

[0087] For example, if the valve 130 was in a closed state, when the signal 616 controls the valve to change to an open state, the pressure in the air bladder can be reduced through the air connection 626 between the blood flow restricting garment 310 and the valve 130 and vented to the atmosphere through the valve outlet 631.

[0088] A signal 616 for controlling the valve 130 is based on at least one of a signal 614 indicative of the measured pressure and a signal 611 indicative of the determined movement from the inertial motion sensor 140 .

[0089] In one example, signal 614 from air pressure sensor 120 indicates a pressure value that exceeds the maximum allowable pressure, which may be stored in memory 152 or placed in a memory accessible to controller 100, for example via communications module 200. In response, processing means 150 may send a signal 616 to control the valve to change to an open state, thereby reducing the pressure in the bladder of blood flow restriction garment 310 so that it does not exceed the maximum allowable pressure. Processing means 150 may also send a signal 615 to the pump to turn it off, to help reduce the pressure in the bladder.

[0090] In one example, controller 100 can transmit data indicative of the measured pressure and / or data indicative of the determined movement via signal 613 to an external device, such as electronic device 210, using communication module 200 of controller 100. The external device, such as electronic device 210, can then process the data indicative of the measured pressure and / or data indicative of the determined movement and subsequently transmit the data from communication module 200 of controller 100 to controller 100 via signal 613. This can enable controller 100 to transmit signal 616 to control valve 130 to control the pressure in the bladder of blood flow restriction garment 310.

[0091] In some examples, an external device, such as electronic device 210, can communicate with one or more other external devices to process / analyze data indicative of the measured pressure and / or data indicative of the determined movement.

[0092] In one example, processing means 150 is configured to control the pressure in the bladder of blood flow restricting garment 310 by maintaining the pressure at a particular value. To maintain the pressure at said particular value, processing means 150 can control valve 130 and / or pump 110 to increase or decrease the pressure in the bladder using signal 614 indicative of the measured pressure to determine if the pressure needs to be increased or decreased to maintain the pressure at said particular value.

[0093] In one example, the processing means 150 is configured to control the valve 130 and / or the pump 110 to control the pressure in the bladder. For example, the processing means 150 may control the pump 110 in combination with the valve 130 to control the pressure in the bladder. For example, the processing means 150 may determine or be instructed to increase the pressure in the bladder and maintain it at a first value. To achieve this, the processing means 150 may turn on the pump 110 if it is not already on and control the valve 130 to a closed state, thereby preventing air from escaping from the bladder to the atmosphere. Since air cannot escape to the atmosphere, the pump 110 increases the pressure in the bladder. When the air pressure sensor 120 sends a signal 614 indicating a measured pressure that matches (or is within a tolerance of) the first value, the processing means 150 may turn off the pump. The processing means 150 may then maintain the pressure at said first value until the processing means 150 determines or is instructed that the pressure in the bladder needs to be changed.

[0094] As an example, the processing means 150 may determine or be instructed that the pressure in the bladder needs to be increased to a second value, and the processing means 150 may turn on the pump 110 and control the valve 130 to a closed state, thereby increasing the pressure to the second value.

[0095] As an example, the processing means 150 may determine or be instructed that the bladder needs to be depressurized, and the processing means 150 may control the pump 110 to be turned off and the valve 130 to be in an open state.

[0096] 6, the pump 110 has an air connection 624 to the blood flow restricting garment 310, which allows the pump 110 to increase pressure in the air bladder of the blood flow restricting garment 310. The pump has an air intake 630 that takes in air from the atmosphere. The pump 110 also has an air connection 622 to the valve 130. Thus, air exiting the pump 110 can exit the valve 130 through the valve outlet 631 to the atmosphere when the valve is in an open state.

[0097] In one example, the controller can send data via signal 612 to a screen 340, described below.

[0098] 7A and 7B show an exemplary pump 110, valve 130 and blood flow restricting garment 310. In Fig. 7A, valve 130 is in a closed state and the arrows on path 700 indicate that air from pump 110 enters the bladder of blood flow restricting garment 310, increasing the pressure within the bladder.

[0099] 7B, valve 130 is in an open state, e.g., pump 110 is turned off and therefore the pump 110 is not supplying air to the blood flow restricting garment 310. Path 710, represented by arrows, shows air exiting the blood flow restricting garment 310 through valve outlet 631 to the atmosphere, thereby reducing the pressure within the bladder of the blood flow restricting garment 310. Pump 110 may include a one-way pump valve to prevent air from re-entering pump 110 while pump 110 is not supplying air to the blood flow restricting garment 310.

[0100] In some examples, the valve 130 is configured to have other operating states than an open state and a closed state. For example, the valve 130 can have at least one partially open state. In the partially open state, the valve is not as open as in the open state. This allows the rate of pressure reduction in the bladder of the blood flow restricting garment 310 to be slower than the rate of pressure reduction while the valve is in the open state.

[0101] In one example, pump 110 is configured to supply air to blood flow restricting garment 310 while valve 130 is in an open state or in one of at least one or more partially open states, thereby providing another method of controlling pressure within the bladder of blood flow restricting garment 310.

[0102] FIG. 8A illustrates an exemplary blood flow restrictive garment system 800. System 800 includes blood flow restrictive garment controller 100 of any of the examples described above. System 800 also includes electronic device 210 as described above. Electronic device 210 includes electronic device processing means 810. In this example, electronic device processing means 810 includes processor 811 and memory 812. Processor 811 is configured to operatively execute computer software / computer program code on processor 811. The computer software / computer program code is stored on a computer readable medium accessible to processor 811. The computer readable medium may be one or more memory devices, which may also store data for use by the software / program code (e.g., memory 812 or a separate memory store external to electronic device processing means 810).

[0103] The electronic device processing means 810 can receive data as one or more inputs and can provide data as one or more outputs. It should be understood that in other examples, the memory 812 is not part of the electronic device processing means 810, but is part of a physically separate computer system accessible to the electronic device processing means 810. In some examples, the electronic device processing means 810 can be referred to as an electronic device processing unit 810.

[0104] The electronic device processing means 810 can retrieve exercise data. The exercise data indicates at least one exercise movement to be performed by a user of the blood flow restricting garment 310. In this example, the electronic device processing means 810 stores the exercise data in the memory 812.

[0105] The electronic device processing means 810 may also identify the athletic movements of the user based on an analysis of the signals indicative of the measured pressures and / or the signals indicative of the determined movements using a machine learning model 830 trained using an athletic movement databank. In this example, the machine learning model is stored in a data store 820, e.g., a server, separate from the electronic device 210.

[0106] The controller 100 and the electronic device 210 communicate over a communication link 840 using the communication module 200 of the controller 100 and the communication module 220 of the electronic device 210. The electronic device 210 and the data store 820 communicate over a communication link 850 using the communication module 220.

[0107] 8B illustrates an example of a blood flow restricting garment system 800. In this example, the system 800 includes a blood flow restricting garment 310 attached to a controller 100.

[0108] In the example of Figure 8B, the athletic data 870 is stored in the data store 860. The electronic device processing means 810 can obtain the athletic data 870 via the communication link 880 using the communication module 220 of the electronic device 210.

[0109] 8B illustrates signals that may be transmitted by communication link 840. A signal 841 containing data indicative of the measured pressure is transmitted from controller 100 to electronic device 210, and a signal 842 containing data indicative of the determined movement is transmitted from controller 100 to electronic device 210.

[0110] In this example, system 800 is configured to control the pressure in the bladder based on the identified athletic actions by the user and the athletic data. To control the pressure in the bladder, electronic device 210 can send a control signal 843 to communication module 200 of blood flow restriction garment controller 100 to control valve 130, which can control the pressure in the bladder.

[0111] 9 illustrates an example of exercise data 870. The exercise data 870 may include one or more exercise instructions 910, 920, 930. The exercise instructions 910, 920, 930 indicate exercise actions that a user should perform. The exercise instructions 910, 920, 930 may also include exercise conditions.

[0112] An example of an exercise instruction indicates different intensity levels of an exercise action to be performed by the user as an exercise condition. When the exercise data 870 is acquired by the electronic device processing means 810, the electronic device processing means 810 determines or is instructed that the exercise action to be performed and the required intensity level correspond to a target pressure value or target pressure values ​​of the apparel 310 during the time period during which the exercise action is performed. In response, the electronic device processing means 810 transmits a control signal 843 to the controller 100 to control the pressure in the bladder of the apparel 310. The controller 100 can control the pressure according to the pressure value or target pressure values ​​in conjunction with a signal indicative of the measured pressure and / or a signal indicative of the determined movement.

[0113] Advantageously, by controlling the pressure in the bladder of the apparel 310 to change the intensity level of the exercise the user is performing, the settings and / or load and / or resistance of the exercise equipment the user is using to perform the exemplary exercise motion do not need to be changed in order for the user to exercise at a different intensity. For example, if the exercise motion to be performed is cycling and the user is riding an exercise bicycle, the controller 100 can change the level of intensity as if the resistance level of the exercise bicycle were being changed (without actually doing so). Thus, the controller 100 can change the pressure in the bladder of the apparel 310 to mimic a different type of exercise bicycle training, such as hill training, without changing the resistance level of the exercise bicycle. Thus, the user can train at different intensities without changing the mechanical work rate. The mechanical work rate is the speed at which the user moves a mechanical load, such as a particular weight, or moves a piece of equipment with resistance.

[0114] Another example of the exercise instruction is to perform an exercise action a number of repetitions. Once the exercise data 870 is acquired by the electronic device processing means 810, the electronic device processing means 810 determines or is instructed that the exercise action to be performed and the number of repetitions correspond to a target pressure value or target pressure values ​​of the garment 310. In response, the electronic device processing means 810 transmits a control signal 843 to the controller 100 to control the pressure in the bladder of the garment 310. The processing means 150 of the controller 100 and / or the electronic device processing means 810 determine when each repetition is completed by identifying an exercise action by the user based on an analysis of at least one of the signals of the measured pressure and the signals indicative of the determined exercise.

[0115] Yet another example of exercise instructions is a goal for the user to maintain the same mechanical work rate for the duration of the user's exercise movement. For example, the user may perform bicep curls with a particular dumbbell weight at an initial mechanical work rate during BFR training while wearing the blood flow restrictive garment 310. The processing means 150 and / or the electronic device processing means 810 may determine whether the user's movement is slowing down due to fatigue, resulting in a lower mechanical work rate. In response, the processing means 150 and / or the electronic device processing means 810 may control the valve 130 to reduce the pressure in the bladder, thereby decreasing the effort required by the user to move the dumbbell and increasing the mechanical work rate back to the initial mechanical work rate.

[0116] The athletic data 870 and / or the athletic instructions may indicate a sequence of athletic movements to be performed by the user in sequence. Once the athletic data 870 is acquired by the electronic device processing means 810, the electronic device processing means 810 determines target pressure values ​​for different athletic movements in the sequence and transmits one or more corresponding control signals 843 to control the pressure in the bladder according to each athletic movement performed. The processing means 150 of the controller 100 and / or the electronic device processing means 810 determines or is instructed to determine when each athletic movement is completed by identifying the athletic movement performed by the user based on an analysis of at least one of the signals of the measured pressure and the signals indicative of the determined movement. The processing means 150 and / or the electronic device processing means 810 then appropriately modifies the pressure for the next athletic movement in the sequence.

[0117] In one example, the electronic device 210 is configured to determine that the identified athletic movements deviate from the athletic data. For example, the electronic device processing means 810 obtains the athletic data 870 and transmits one or more control signals 843 to the controller 100 to control the pressure of the bladder of the apparel 310 accordingly. The electronic device processing means 810 can then determine, or be instructed to, that the identified athletic movements performed by the user do not correspond to the athletic movements that should be performed according to the athletic data 870.

[0118] The identified athletic motion may, for example, be recognized as a poor form version of the athletic motion to be performed according to the athletic data, or the user may be recognized as being stuck at a portion of the athletic motion. For example, the athletic motion to be performed may be a squat, and the identified athletic motion may recognize that the user has not performed the full range of motion required, or has stopped midway through the squat due to fatigue. In another example, the identified athletic motion may be a different athletic motion than the athletic motion to be performed according to the athletic data. For example, the athletic data may indicate that a static squat should be performed, but the identified motion may be a jumping squat.

[0119] In response to electronic device 210 determining that the identified athletic movements deviate from athletic data 870, electronic device 210 may determine or be instructed to control the pressure in the bladder to reduce the deviation. For example, if the user stops mid-squat, the pressure in the bladder of apparel 310 may be decreased to facilitate the user completing the squat. This may allow the athletic movements to be completed in a manner that reduces the deviation between the identified athletic movements and the athletic movements to be performed according to the athletic data.

[0120] In response to the electronic device 210 determining that the identified athletic movement deviates from the athletic data 870, the electronic device 210 may determine, or be instructed to, that the athletic data 870 needs to be modified in response to the deviation. For example, the athletic data 870 may initially include a jumping squat as the athletic movement to be performed. If the identified athletic movement is a static squat, it may be determined that the user would like to perform a static squat rather than a jumping squat, and the athletic data is modified accordingly so that the athletic movement to be performed is a static squat.

[0121] The athletic data 870 can be based on one or more data inputs. The one or more data inputs can be static data inputs, i.e., data that is fixed over an extended period of time, and live data inputs from the controller 100 and / or the electronic device 210.

[0122] Static data inputs may be used when the athletic data 870 is initially generated. As shown in FIG. 10, the static data inputs may be athletic action databank data 1030, expert data 1040, and user profile data 1050 stored in data stores 1000, 1010, 1020 in this example. The athletic action databank data 1030 includes a list of different athletic actions that can be performed. The user profile data 1050 may include information about the user including age, gender, training frequency, functional level, pain level, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), desired results, etc. One or more of these may be entered by the user, for example, using the electronic device 210. The expert data 1040 may include the percentage of limb occlusion pressure to be applied to the user, the recommended number of repetitions, number of sets, rest time, tempo. These may be based on the provided user profile data 1050.

[0123] In some examples, the databank containing the list of different exercise movements to perform is different from the databank used to train the machine learning model 830. In some examples, these are the same databank.

[0124] The athletic data 870 may be generated from the static data using a recommendation system. The recommendation system may be executed by the electronic device 210 or another device with which the electronic device 210 can communicate. The recommendation system may be, for example, a content-based filtering recommendation system. The content-based filtering recommendation system may first generate potential recommendations (candidate recommendations) using the static data. The recommendation system may then score the recommendations. The recommendation system may rank the recommendations and assign the highest ranked recommendation as the athletic data 870. Other recommendation systems, such as a collaborative-based filtering recommendation system, may also be used to generate and modify the athletic data.

[0125] After the user begins using the system 800, the athletic data may be updated in live time using additional data inputs including data 1060 indicative of the measured pressure from the controller and live measurement data 1070. The live measurement data 1070 includes data indicative of the determined movements, the identified athletic actions performed by the user, and the number of repetitions of the identified athletic actions performed by the user. The recommender system may then update the athletic data 870 with these additional data inputs.

[0126] The electronic device 210 can, in some examples, modify the athletic data based on the expert data and the identified athletic actions by the user. In some examples, the electronic device 210 can modify the athletic data based on the athletic action databank and the identified athletic actions by the user.

[0127] The electronic device 210 and / or the controller 100 are configured to display information related to the athletic data on the screen 340 of the controller 100 and / or the display of the electronic device 210. For example, the screen 340 and / or the display of the electronic device 210 may display the name of the exercise that the user should perform according to the athletic data, the number of repetitions that should be completed, the number of repetitions that have been completed, etc.

[0128] 11 shows a machine learning model 830 trained with an athletic motion databank 1030. The machine learning model can be trained to identify athletic motions using pressure data 1100 and motion data 1110 from the athletic motion databank.

[0129] 12A shows a user 1200 wearing a blood flow restricting garment 310 and controller 100 attached to the blood flow restricting garment 310. In this example, the garment 310 is attached around the arm of the user 1200. The garment 310 may be designed to be attached around the arm and / or leg of the user. In other examples, different garments may be used for the arms and legs, and the controller 100 may be attached to either garment.

[0130] 12B shows a user performing an exercise motion 1210. In this example, the user is performing a bicep curl.

[0131] 13 illustrates an exemplary method 1300 of controlling a blood flow restriction garment 310. The method 1300 includes receiving 1310, at the processing means 150 of the blood flow restriction garment controller 100, a signal indicative of a measured pressure in an air bladder of the blood flow restriction garment 310 from an air pressure sensor 120 of the blood flow restriction garment controller 100, receiving 1320, at the processing means 150 of the blood flow restriction garment controller 100, a signal indicative of a determined movement from at least one or more of an inertial measurement unit 140, an accelerometer 141, and a gyroscope 142, and providing 1330 a signal to control a valve 130 of the blood flow restriction garment controller 100 by selecting one of at least two operating states. The operating states include an open state and a closed state, and the signal to control the valve 130 is based on at least one of the signal indicative of the measured pressure and the signal indicative of the determined movement.

[0132] The method may include additional blocks according to the configurations described in the previous examples.

[0133] The blocks illustrated in Figure 13 may represent steps in the method 1300 and / or sections of code in a computer program configured to control a processing means as described above to perform these method steps. The illustration of a particular order to the blocks does not necessarily imply a required or preferred order to the blocks, and the order and arrangement of the blocks may be varied. Furthermore, in other examples, some steps may be omitted or added.

[0134] 14 illustrates an exemplary method 1400 of controlling an electronic device 210. The method 1400 includes obtaining 1410, with the electronic device processing means 810 of the electronic device 210, athletic data 870 indicative of at least one athletic motion to be performed by a user 1200 of the blood flow restricting garment 310, and identifying 1420, with the electronic device processing means 810, an athletic motion by the user 1200 based on an analysis of at least one of a signal indicative of a measured pressure of a bladder of the blood flow restricting garment 310 and a signal indicative of a determined motion using a machine learning model 830 trained on an athletic motion data bank 1030 including motion data and pressure data associated with different types of athletic motions. The signal indicative of the measured pressure of the bladder and the signal indicative of the determined motion are received from the blood flow restricting garment controller 100.

[0135] The method may include additional blocks according to the configurations described in the previous examples. For example, the method may additionally include controlling the pressure in the bladder depending on the identified athletic action and athletic data by the user 1200, and sending a control signal to the communication module 200 of the blood flow restriction garment controller 100 to control the valve 130 to control the pressure in the bladder.

[0136] The blocks illustrated in Figure 14 may represent steps in the method 1400 and / or sections of code in a computer program / software configured to control a processing means as described above to perform these method steps. Although a particular order of the blocks is illustrated, this does not necessarily imply a required or preferred order for the blocks, and the order and arrangement of the blocks may be varied. Furthermore, in other embodiments, some steps may be omitted or added.

[0137] The above-described examples provide improved BFR training by providing a portable training system that can automatically vary the pressure within the garment 310 to provide greater flexibility in training regimes. The controller 100 and system 800 can also assist the user by determining how well the user is performing exercise movements and accordingly modifying form or changing exercise movements or exercise conditions accordingly to improve the user's performance and / or recovery.

[0138] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations thereof mean "including, but not limited to," and are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers, or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural, unless the context requires otherwise. In particular, when the indefinite article is used, the specification is understood to contemplate the plural as well as the singular, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0139] It is understood that features, integers, properties, or groups described in connection with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are also applicable to other aspects, embodiments or examples described herein, except where inconsistent therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and / or all steps of the method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations in which at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not limited to the details of the foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or any novel one, or any novel combination of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0140] Attention is directed to all papers and documents related to this application that have been filed contemporaneously or prior to this application and that are in the public domain herewith, the contents of all such papers and documents being incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. 1. A blood flow restrictive garment controller comprising: a pump configured to increase pressure within a bladder of the blood flow restricting garment; an air pressure sensor configured to measure pressure in the bladder and provide a signal indicative of the measured pressure; a valve configured to control pressure in the bladder and having at least two operational states including an open state and a closed state; at least one or more of an inertial measurement unit, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope configured to determine a movement of the blood flow restricting garment controller and provide a signal indicative of the determined movement; and processing means for providing a signal to control said valve by selecting one of at least two of said operating states; A blood flow restrictive garment controller, wherein a signal for controlling the valve is based on at least one of a signal indicative of the measured pressure and a signal indicative of the determined movement.

2. The blood flow restrictive garment controller of claim 1 , wherein the blood flow restrictive garment controller comprises a communications module for communicating with an electronic device.

3. 3. The blood flow restrictive garment controller of claim 2, wherein the blood flow restrictive garment controller is configured to transmit at least one of a signal indicative of the measured pressure and a signal indicative of the determined movement to the electronic device using the communications module.

4. 4. The blood flow restrictive garment controller of claim 1, wherein the blood flow restrictive garment controller comprises a housing configured to be removably attached to the blood flow restrictive garment.

5. the blood flow restriction garment controller comprises a connector for connecting the air pressure sensor to the bladder and a connector for connecting the pump to the bladder; 5. The blood flow restriction garment controller of claim 4, wherein the housing includes one or more openings that allow a connector for the air pressure sensor and a connector for the pump to be connected to the bladder.

6. 6. The blood flow restrictive garment control of claim 1, wherein the blood flow restrictive garment control is configured to be powered by a portable energy storage means.

7. 7. The blood flow restrictive garment control of claim 1, configured to maintain pressure within the bladder.

8. 8. A blood flow restrictive garment controller as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the processing means is configured to control the pump in combination with controlling the valve to control the pressure in the bladder.

9. A blood flow restrictive garment control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which recites claim 2; The electronic device, The electronic device comprises an electronic device processing means, the electronic device processing means comprising: acquiring athletic data indicative of at least one athletic motion to be performed by a user of the blood flow restrictive garment; A blood flow restriction clothing system configured to identify an athletic motion by the user based on analysis of at least one of a signal indicative of the measured pressure and a signal indicative of the determined motion using a machine learning model trained with an athletic motion databank including motion data and pressure data associated with different types of athletic motion.

10. controlling pressure in the bladder based on the identified athletic action by the user and the athletic data; The blood flow restrictive garment system of claim 9 , configured to send a control signal to the communications module of the blood flow restrictive garment controller to control the valve to control the pressure in the bladder.

11. the exercise data indicates different intensity levels of exercise movements that the user should perform; The system of claim 9 or 10, wherein the electronic device determines that the pressure in the bladder needs to be altered to enable the user to perform athletic movements at different intensity levels.

12. The exercise data has a goal of maintaining the same mechanical work rate over a number of repetitions of the exercise motion to be performed by the user; 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the electronic device determines that the pressure in the bladder needs to be controlled in order for the user to maintain the same mechanical work speed over the number of repetitions.

13. The exercise data is aimed at maintaining the same mechanical work rate over a period of time that the user is to perform an exercise motion; 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the electronic device determines that pressure in the bladder needs to be controlled in order for the user to maintain the same mechanical work speed over the period of time.

14. the exercise data indicating a sequence of exercise movements to be sequentially performed by the user; 14. The system of claim 9, wherein the electronic device determines that pressure in the bladder needs to be controlled for a next athletic movement in the sequence.

15. 15. The system of claim 9, wherein the electronic device is configured to determine that the identified athletic performance by the user deviates from the athletic data and to modify the athletic data in response to the deviation.

16. 16. The system of claim 9, wherein the electronic device is configured to determine that an identified athletic motion by the user deviates from the athletic data and that the pressure in the bladder needs to be controlled to reduce the deviation.

17. the electronic device is configured to modify the athletic data based on expert data and the identified athletic actions by the user; and / or 17. The system of claim 9, wherein the electronic device is configured to modify the athletic data based on the athletic performance databank and the identified athletic performance by the user.

18. 18. The system of claim 9, wherein the athletic data is initially based on user data, expert data, and the athletic performance databank.

19. 19. A system according to any one of claims 9 to 18, comprising the blood flow restrictive garment.

20. The system of claim 19, which cites claim 4, wherein the blood flow restricting garment comprises a controller receiving portion, the controller receiving portion configured to receive the blood flow restricting garment controller such that the blood flow restricting garment controller is removably attached to the blood flow restricting garment.

21. 1. A method of controlling a blood flow restrictive garment, the method comprising: receiving, at a processing means of a blood flow restricting garment controller, a signal from an air pressure sensor of the blood flow restricting garment controller indicative of a measured pressure in an air bladder of the blood flow restricting garment; receiving, at a processing means of the blood flow restrictive garment controller, signals indicative of the determined movement from at least one of an inertial measurement unit, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope; providing a signal to control a valve of the blood flow restricting garment controller by selecting one of at least two operating states; The method, wherein the operating states include an open state and a closed state, and the signal controlling the valve is based on at least one of the signal indicative of the measured pressure and the signal indicative of the determined movement.

22. 1. A method of controlling an electronic device, the method comprising: acquiring, using an electronic device processing means of the electronic device, athletic data indicative of at least one athletic motion to be performed by a user of the blood flow restrictive garment; and using the electronic device processing means to identify an athletic motion by the user based on analysis of at least one of a signal indicative of a measured pressure in a bladder of the blood flow restriction garment and a signal indicative of the determined movement using a machine learning model trained with an athletic motion databank including motion data and pressure data associated with different types of athletic motion; A method wherein the signal indicative of the measured bladder pressure and the signal indicative of the determined movement are received from a blood flow restriction garment controller.

23. controlling pressure in the bladder based on the identified athletic action by the user and the athletic data; and 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising sending a control signal to a communications module of the blood flow restriction garment controller to control a valve to control pressure within the bladder.

24. 22. Computer software which, when executed on the processing means of the blood flow restrictive garment controller, performs the method of claim 21.

25. Computer software configured to carry out the method of claim 22 or 23 when executed on said electronic device processing means.

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