title: Polygraphic belt with force-sensing expander for physiological tests on cosmonauts.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Biomedizinische Technik und Physik, AKH Wien.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rafolt
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gallasch
mesh_terms: 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