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Sonography In Space

Date:
November 20, 2008
Source:
SAGE Publications
Summary:
Astronauts on extended space missions can get injured or develop diseases, necessitating immediate diagnosis and treatment. Research conducted on the International Space Station ensuring that astronauts could accurately perform remotely-guided sonograms was published in the Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
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Astronauts on extended space missions can get injured or develop diseases, necessitating immediate diagnosis and treatment. Research conducted on the International Space Station (ISS) ensuring that astronauts could accurately perform remotely-guided sonograms was published in the Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

In 2001, NASA integrated a Sonography machine into the Health Research Facility on the International Space Station. In the study, a ground-to-space two-way communication system was set up between the astronauts and the radiologists at Mission Control and the operating astronauts were guided in performing sonograms for trauma, as well as ocular and musculoskeletal exams. The research found that Sonography examinations were successfully performed within that microgravity environment.

The astronauts in the study were introduced to the basics of Sonography and then the radiologists provided guidance, in real time, successfully supplementing the inadequacies of the astronaut's scanning abilities. The study found that the operating astronauts were able to identify and image normal anatomy, but whether they would be able to remain calm enough to scan adequately during a stressful, traumatic situation still remains to be answered.

"NASA's intent to prove that remotely guided sonograms could be work within a microgravity environment was achieved," writes author Kendell Cole. "As more trial sonograms are conducted on the ISS, NASA may push the bounds of Sonography and uncover other potential uses. There are sure to be many more trial sonograms to be conducted in space, but it is amazing to consider that eventually, a Sonography machine may reside on Mars."


Story Source:

Materials provided by SAGE Publications. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Cole et al. Sonography's Expansion Into Space. Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, 2008; DOI: 10.1177/8756479308327062

Cite This Page:

SAGE Publications. "Sonography In Space." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 20 November 2008. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081117091631.htm>.
SAGE Publications. (2008, November 20). Sonography In Space. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081117091631.htm
SAGE Publications. "Sonography In Space." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081117091631.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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