Polygraphic belt with force-sensing expander for physiological tests on cosmonauts.
To study cardiorespiratory and neuromotor functions in cosmonauts a novel belt with embedded polygraphic sensors and a force sensing expander were developed. The sensors are: a three-electrode ECG/impedance plethysmographic system to capture cardiac and respiratory activity, two triaxial accelerometers to record limb micromotions and an IR reflex-sensor to detect peripheral pulse waves. The expander consists of an elastic cable in series with a load cell to measure the extension force and to adjust the extensions by visual feedback. The cable stiffness was chosen rather high (150-200 N/m) in order to induce involuntary limb oscillations at higher extension levels. The equipment was tested in MIR spaceflights and is projected for physiological tests on the ISS.
Rafolt
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D
Institut für Biomedizinische Technik und Physik, AKH Wien.
Gallasch
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E
D018480:Astronauts; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010992:Plethysmography, Impedance / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016474:Weight-Bearing