| abstract |
A flexible lower body negative pressure (LBNP) anti-G suit for protecting against the adverse effects of -G z acceleration is disclosed. Conventional anti-G suits protect against the adverse effects of +G z acceleration. Accelerations in the negative z direction, -G z , can also cause adverse physiological effects and, additionally, severely unpleasant subjective sensations. LBNP has been used in the past to alleviate the somewhat similar physiological effects of weightlessness in space. It has also been used with merely limited success to treat various medical problems. The present invention provides an improved LBNP suit that successfully alleviates the adverse physiological and subjective effects of -G z accelerations. Applying LBNP to an aircrew member increases venous vascular volumes in the lower body and reduces the otherwise increased pressures in the upper cardiovascular system. The pr n RIGHTS OF THE GOVERNMENT n The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States for all governmental purposes without the payment of any royalty. |