PLANNING FOR

MEDICAL EVENTS IN
SPACE

Presented by : Aaron Lassmann

Mentor : Ronak Shah, DO, MBA, MPH

Wyle and Johnson Space Center

ISM Teacher : Mrs. Kristi Click
Independent Study Mentorship: HST Spring 2015

*Some information in this presentation comes from outside sources

Aerospace

Medicine

Aerospace Medicine:

Responding to Medical Events In Space

Student: Aaron Lassmann

Mentor: Ronak Shah, DO, MBA, MPH

Mentors Profession: Aerospace Medicine/
ExMC Element Scientist

My Mentor and I in the Med Lab

Aerospace Medicine:

Responding to Medical Events In Space

Wyle Building

Johnson Space Center

Wyle. Wyle. N.d. Houston. Wyle.
Web. 22 Feb. 2015.

NASA. Johnson Space Center Aerial. 1990. Houston. Wikimedia

Commons. Web. 22 Feb. 2015.

What is ISM?
In-depth study of a particular field Collegiate/Professional Level of
Work
th
th
11 and 12 Grade
Construct or Complete a
Must apply and be accepted into
Collegiate/Professional Level
the program
Product
Allows for personalized study
Build an online portfolio
Shadow a mentor in a chosen field Weekly Journals and Activity Logs
Work one-on-one with the mentor Mid-Term Presentation

Final Presentation

Topic: Aerospace Medicine

What is Aerospace Medicine?
Preventive or occupational medicine in which the
patients/subjects are persons involved in aviation and
spaceflight

Why This Topic?

Ive always had an interest in medicine

Both of my parents have worked at NASA
Interest in NASA and spaceflight
Aerospace Medicine combines the two

Project?
Focuses on planning for medical events in space

Key Point 1: How is Medicine Different in Space?

Less Access to Care
On Earth, you can call 911 and go to the hospital.
In Space, it takes a minimum of one day to get back on Earth if that is
even reasonably possible to do.

Storage
Space for medical supplies must compete with everything
Must plan based on likelihood and outcomes

Level of Care
Probably no doctors onboard
Only a medic trained for 40 hours (vs. 4 years of medical school)

Key Point 2: Medical Issues

Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib)

Abnormal heartrate caused by quivering atrial contraction

Acute onset is a potential concern
Can occur without cause
Could impact ability to perform mission tasks

The Bends
This can occur on Earth while Scuba Diving
Becomes an issue for spacewalks (EVAs)
Spacesuits are pressurized at about 5.5 psi
Pressure at sea level is 14.7 psi

Microgravity
Affects muscles and bones
Can be partially counteracted with exercise
Can lead to issues moving when returning to Earth OR
landing on a celestial body

Mayo Clinic Staff. "Atrial Fibrillation." Mayo Clinic.

Mayo Foundation for Medical
Education and Research, 18 July
2014. Web. 21 Feb. 2015.
Cleveland Clinic. "Atrial Fibrillation." Cleveland
Clinic. Cleveland Clinic, Feb. 2015.
Web. 18 Feb. 2015.

Key Point 3: NASAs Human Research Program

Headquartered at JSC
Focuses on research
Divided into Subgroups, or Elements

*Exploration Medical Capability (ExMC)*

International Space Station Medical Project
Space Radiation Program Element
Human Health Countermeasures
Behavioral Health and Performance
Space Human Factors and Habitability
Science Management Office

Key Point 4: Integrated Medical Model

Models potential medical situations
List of situations that have occurred or could occur
Models necessary treatment based on severity and potential
outcomes
Variances based on number of crewmembers, mission type, etc.

Key Point 5: Planning and Training

ExMC looks primarily at future exploration missions (Moon,
Mars, an Asteroid)
Small capsule in each situation
Less space
No room for exercise equipment, etc.

Look at what is the most likely and will impair the mission
Simulations can be created to test scenarios and for training
The Manikin

Product
Simulation Using The Med Lab

What is the Med Lab?

Consists of 3 rooms
Mission Control
Viewing Room with one-way mirror
Experiment Room with manikin and supplies

The Manikin
Can be programmed
Blood pressure, Breathing, Pupil Dilation, etc.

Simulations can be created with different results

based on actions

A SimMan 3g

Simulation
[Video]

Conclusion
Medicine in Space
There is not the accessibility or space like here on Earth

Requires Extra Research and Focus

NASA works to conquer this for long range missions with ExMC
Simulations are in invaluable tool

Bibliography
NASA. Johnson Space Center Aerial. 1990. Houston.
Wikimedia Commons. Web. 22 Feb. 2015.
Wyle. Wyle. N.d. Houston. Wyle. Web. 22 Feb. 2015
Mayo Clinic Staff. "Atrial Fibrillation." Mayo Clinic. Mayo
Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 18
July 2014. Web. 21 Feb. 2015.
Cleveland Clinic. "Atrial Fibrillation." Cleveland Clinic.
Cleveland Clinic, Feb. 2015. Web. 18 Feb. 2015.