Beat to BEAT - Non-Invasive Investigation of Cardiac Function on the International Space Station

Stud Health Technol Inform. 2022 Jun 29:295:95-99. doi: 10.3233/SHTI220669.

Abstract

This paper describes the protocol of the microgravity experiment BEAT (Ballistocardiography for Extraterrestrial Applications and Long-Term Missions). The current study makes use of signal acquisition of cardiac parameters with a high-precision Ballistocardiography (BCG)/Seismocardiography (SCG) measurement system, which is integrated in a smart shirt (SmartTex). The goal is to evaluate the feasibility of this concept for continuous wearable monitoring and wireless data transfer. BEAT is part of the "Wireless Compose-2" (WICO2) project deployed on the International Space Station (ISS) that will provide wireless network infrastructure for scientific, localization and medical experiments.

Keywords: Space health; cardiac function; micro gravity; seismocardiography.

MeSH terms

  • Ballistocardiography* / methods
  • Heart
  • Heart Rate