Monitoring body fluid distribution in microgravity using impedance tomography (APT (applied potential tomography))

For an astronaut, the excitement of going into orbit is accompanied by a shift of 1 to 1.5 l of fluid from the legs into the upper body. Information on the way the redistributed fluid is handled by the body is very useful to space physiologists studying the process of adaptation to zero-gravity. Applied potential tomography (APT) can be used to image changes in fluid distribution. To ensure that the technique was capable of measuring fluid shifts induced by changing gravitational forces on the body, a standard Sheffield APT system was used to study several subjects during the eight ESA parabolic flight campaign. The results clearly demonstrated the feasibility of using APT for monitoring fluid redistribution during space flight. A battery-powered, body-worn APT system has now been developed for use in space. The equipment was tested on the eleventh parabolic flight campaign. The data collected with the miniaturised system was comparable to that obtained in the earlier experiment. Ergonomic tests indicated that the equipment is no more difficult to operate and maintain under weightless conditions than on earth. The system is undergoing space qualification tests in Munich. If no problems arise it will be used by German astronauts on missions to MIR and Skylab.