Space Zoo Patrol – In-Space Medical

By Jeff Sventek, Executive Director, Aerospace Medical Association and Dr. Rowena Christiansen

1. What is it called?

Multi-radiance medical light-therapy device. This technology resulted from research collaborations between NASA, private industry, and academia.

2. What does it do?

Medical light therapy assists faster wound healing and is effective in treating minor pain, inflammation, and musculoskeletal injuries. It is used on both humans and animals.

3. How does it work?

These devices combine simultaneous high-intensity red and near-infrared LED light and rapid laser pulses. The LED light is responsible for the healing effects, and the rapid laser pulses increase the distance that the LED light travels into the affected tissues.

4. How is it better than the older technology?

Before NASA’s involvement, light therapy devices were entirely laser-based (without the use of LED lights), making them unsafe for home use, and were only available in clinics. Now both larger stationary units for clinic settings and mobile hand-held devices are available. The devices are used widely by health professionals and veterinarians, and in the home setting.

These devices are useful as a possible solution for two long-standing problems affecting astronaut health and wellbeing during space missions. Without the effects of gravity, the muscles and bones of astronauts decrease in size and strength, making them more prone to injury, and wounds heal more slowly. Having a small but effective mobile treatment device that occupies little mass and volume would be a useful addition to the on-board medical kit.

5. What classes should I take in school to work on this?

Biology, physics, mathematics, biomedical science, technology, engineering, health sciences, veterinary science, medicine.

6. Pictures

7. Links

Aerospace Medical Association  www.asma.org

Human Research Program https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/space/human-research-program/