Evaluating the Suitability of Perfusion-Based PD Probes for Use in Altered Gravity Environments

Area of Science:

• Space physiology
• Biomedical engineering
• Electrophysiology

Background:

• Spaceflight alters astronaut electrophysiology, potentially leading to disease.
• Potential difference (PD) measurements can detect these electrophysiological changes.
• Current PD probes require fluid perfusion, necessitating testing in altered gravity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a perfusion-based PD probe's performance in simulated spaceflight gravity conditions.
• To assess the probe's reliability in microgravity, lunar, Martian, and hypergravity.
• To advance the technology for in-space astronaut health monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Testing a novel nasal cavity phantom with a PD probe during parabolic flight.
• Simulating microgravity, lunar gravity (approx. 0.16 g), Martian gravity (approx. 0.38 g), and hypergravity (approx. 1.8 g).
• Analyzing 37 parabolic flight maneuvers using the Wilcoxon Rank Sum test.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant difference in PD measurements between 1 g, microgravity, lunar gravity, and hypergravity.
• Achieved NASA Technology Readiness Level 6 for the perfusion-based PD probe.
• Results for Martian gravity were inconclusive.

Conclusions:

• Perfusion-based PD probes are suitable for spaceflight in microgravity, lunar, and hypergravity.
• This study provides a foundation for future in-space testing of PD probes on astronauts.
• The technology is validated for potential use in monitoring astronaut health during long-duration missions.