Find out more about how this website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience.
SonoScape’s X5 is aboard to deliver ultrasound imaging in Space
On June 17th, the Shenzhou-12 spacecraft was launched into space heading to the Tiangong space station which is currently under construction in Low-Earth orbit. Once there, the crew will remain in space for three months.
Prolonged exposure to microgravity causes multiple physiological and biochemical changes in humans, including but not limited to cardiovascular deconditioning and orthostatic intolerance, musculoskeletal complaints and urinary tract infections. Currently, ultrasound is the modality of choice for the diagnosis and treatment of medical contingencies in space[1].
During this mission, as part of research into these physiological changes and to monitor their health status, the astronauts will conduct serial ultrasound examinations and the SonoScape X5 has been selected by China National Space Administration (CNAS) to perform this task. Having been selected based on its leading performance and portability, the Sonoscape X5 will remain in orbit on the Tiangong space station to help assess the impact of long-duration microgravity space flight.
“Ensuring the usability and stability, our ultrasound system passed the rigorous regimen of hardware qualification and acceptance testing,” said Dr. Feng, General Manager of Ultrasound Division at SonoScape. “Our R&D team pushed the boundaries enabling space imaging to reach a high level; Aerospace ultrasound examination will give researchers a deeper insight of long-term zero gravity and radiation on human's body."
According to China Manned Space Program, the construction of the space station will be completed by 2022, supporting the long stay of astronauts and large-scale scientific, technological, and application experiments. SonoScape will continuously undertake the mission of assisting aerospace medical research and providing effective information that leads to the improvement of the crew members’ health care.
Reference:
1.Law J, Macbeth PB. Ultrasound:from Earth to space.Mcgill J Med.2011:13(2):59