Medical spinoffs from the space program

There are any quantity of spin-offs from the Space Program. Developments by the erstwhile Soviet Space Program , and others are probably not well known, or easy to locate online. Yet NASA , and it's affiliates are more visible. A few of their contributions to the quality of life are as listed here. Scrolling the pages reveals screen after screen of technologies that have contributed to the quality of life, and health-care.

Yet it is strangely disappointing - all I see listed are technologies. What medicines stuff like penicillin, statins; therapeutic formulations come from the space program? I am aware of one such scientific program that spun off something useful: the Salmonella vaccine research by Arizona State University.

The virulence of the Salmonella bacteria was altered in microgravity environment, generally making it more aggressive. These changes in bacteria behavior helped identify new possibilities for vaccine development. Not exactly medicine per se, but baby formula enriched with docosahexaenoic DHA and arachidonic ARA acids that are present in human breast milk were discovered by chance in certain types of algae when they were researched for possible ways of producing oxygen:.

Research in growing superpotent crystalline structures is also promising, and they've already managed to develop techniques to grow super-fine insulin crystals so far back as in From this, scientists expect to be able to design new forms of insulin that the body can absorb more effectively than the forms now on the market.

With certain chemicals bound to insulin, diabetics could inject themselves once every three days or so, instead of one to three times a day. And there were all kinds of other medical technology spinoffs and medical advancements in general that were made possible through research in or for microgravity environment and long duration spaceflight. See recommended reading links below for more. In , the first complete robotic surgical operation proved successful, when a team of doctors in New York removed the gallbladder of a woman in France using the Computer Motion equipment.

Later, a team at Ames Research Center modeled the blood flow, and improved the design to avoid harm to blood cells. The DeBakey Left Ventricular Assist Device LVAD can maintain the heart in a stable condition in patients requiring a transplant until a donor is found, which can range from one month to a year.

Sometimes, permanent implantation of the LVAD can negate the need for a transplant. We were energized and excited to do whatever it took to make it work. These parachutes, now in use for civilian and military aircraft, can provide a safe landing for pilots and passengers in the event of engine failure, midair collision, pilot disorientation or incapacitation, unrecovered spin, extreme icing and fuel exhaustion.

To date, the parachute system is credited with saving more than lives. Designed to address the need to clean up the ground of the historic Launch Complex 34 at KSC that was polluted with chlorinated solvents used to clean Apollo rocket parts, the EZVI technology provides a cost-effective and efficient cleanup solution to underground pollution that poses a contamination threat to fresh water sources in the area.

This technology has potential use for the cleanup of environmental contamination at thousands of Department of Energy, Department of Defense, NASA and private industry facilities throughout the country. Beyond recognizing the value of these technologies, it is also inspiring to learn the story of the people behind the innovation.

Consider the case of Dr. In a flash of insight, Ansari realized that the instrument being developed as part of the colloids experiment might be able to detect cataracts — possibly earlier than ever before. The device is now being used to assess the effectiveness of new, non-surgical therapies for early stages of cataract development.

The device also may have an unexpected return for NASA: It has been investigated as a possible medical tool for astronauts, who may develop cataracts as a side effect of the kind of radiation exposure that they might experience in long-duration spaceflight.

Perhaps as interesting is the motivation that space provided to Ansari to pursue a career in science. He says it traces entirely to a single moment: when he was 9 years old in Pakistan, and he saw the live, grainy television images of people walking for the first time on the moon. From pacemakers to braces, the medical benefits of space exploration. Quick blood pressure recorders are one of the widely-used devices created by the U.

Medical alloy nitinol makes a reliable wire for dental braces. Rabbi Sholem Kowalsky's pacemaker has technology similar to that used to operate satellites orbiting the earth. Latest Headlines Pakistan begins troop withdrawal from Indian border White-collar workers in Jakarta join anti-Habibie chorus Veteran politicians hand over EU reform blueprint Klan rally in New York fizzles under counterprotests Falwell hosts summit with gay minister Critics assail plan to give women addicts money to use birth control Chemical that could power microbes is found at Jupiter moon Texas downs No.

Enter keyword s go help. All Rights Reserved. What breakthroughs in medicine came from NASA? Digital imaging breast biopsy system, developed from Hubble Space Telescope technology Tiny transmitters to monitor the fetus inside the womb Laser angioplasty, using fiber-optic catheters Forceps with fiber optics that let doctors measure the pressure applied to a baby's head during delivery Cool suit to lower body temperature in treatment of various conditions Voice-controlled wheelchairs Light-emitting diodes LED for help in brain cancer surgery Foam used to insulate space shuttle external tanks for less expensive, better molds for artificial arms and legs Programmable pacemakers Tools for cataract surgery.

How have NASA space helmets changed optics? How has NASA helped improve our air and water? What NASA technology helps keep you warm? Sources Marlaire, Ruth Dasso.

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