Simple Radiowave-Based Method for Measuring Peripheral Blood Flow (RFII)
Project Description
Project objective is to design small radio frequency based flow probes for the measurement of blood flow velocity in peripheral arteries such as the femoral artery and middle cerebral artery. The result will be the technological capability to measure peripheral blood flow rates and flow changes during various environmental stressors such as microgravity without contact to the individual being monitored. This technology may also lead to an easier method of detecting venous gas emboli during extravehicular activities.
This technology will be a quantum advance in hemodynamic monitoring and will be applicable in numerous situations such as for immediate assessment and monitoring of patients in life-threatening emergencies, during environmental stressors, and in performance of hazardous occupational tasks. For NASA these benefits will apply to both flight and ground personnel. For the military this device can be used during actual combat to alert medical personnel when a service member is wounded and to monitor his/her condition even before help is provided thus lowering medical evaluation times. This can also be used to aid medical personnel allowing them to prioritize triage and evacuation in multiple casualty contingencies.
More »Anticipated Benefits
Project benefits to NASA can be used aboard the International Space Station (ISS) with noncontact monitoring of heart rate, cardiac output, and respiration during both exercise and extravehicular activity (EVA) performed by astronauts outside the spacecraft. At Kennedy Space Center (KSC), monitoring is needed in stressful tasks, such as firefighting and Self-Contained Atmospheric Protection Ensemble (SCAPE). This technology can also provide benefits for clinical emergency medicine for immediate assessment of shock to NASA, Department of Defense (DoD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and many health care industry applications.
NASA’s tangible benefits will include easier and safer monitoring of peripheral blood flows during spaceflight, space-related operations and increased reliability due to easier operation. For the Department of Defense this technology can benefit health monitoring of troops in combat.
This technology could also benefit cardiopulmonary bypass patients and any situation where simple non-contact hemodynamic monitoring is required. This can also be used to aid medical personnel allowing them to prioritize triage and evacuation in multiple casualty contingencies. For the military this device can be used during actual combat to alert medical personnel when a service member is wounded and to monitor his/her condition even before help is provided thus lowering medical evaluation times.
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Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Kennedy Space Center
(KSC)
|
Lead Organization | NASA Center | Kennedy Space Center, Florida |
| Department of Defense (DoD) | Supporting Organization | Other US Government | Washington, District of Columbia |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Florida
