Noninvasive evaluation of flow changes and gas bubbles in the circulation by combined use of color-flow-imaging and computer postprocessing.
Significant circulatory changes occur in microgravity and gas bubbles may be present in the circulation as a result of decompression during EVA.  A system for the non-invasive evaluation of circulatory changes and gas bubbles in the circulation is described.  This system is based on an ultrasonic scanning and Doppler system (CFM 700(750), Vingmed Sound, Horten Norway) together with programs to transmit the data to a Macintosh [correction of Mackintosh] II computer.  A method for measuring pulsatile blood pressure non-invasively is also included.  On the computer, programs for the calculation of cardiovascular parameters and the analysis of ultrasonic images containing gas bubbles have been developed.
Brubakk
A O
AO
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Trondheim, Norway.
Torp
H
H
Angelsen
B A
BA
D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D015924:Blood Pressure Monitors; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003664:Decompression / Q000009:adverse effects; D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018478:Extravehicular Activity; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D012107:Research Design; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013026:Space Flight; D018617:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Pulsed / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014893:Weightlessness