|
GEMS heart monitoring systems flies on a
space mission
EHM News Bureau - Bangalore
NASA
has decided to reach out to the private sector and select
systems best suited for their needs
For
the first time in the history of the US Space Program, the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will
be using commercially available heart monitoring and information
systems for the important task of monitoring the health of
astronauts while they work outside their spacecraft.
Heart monitoring systems developed by Wipro GE Medical Systems
IT will be used during the fourth Hubble Space Telescope Servicing
Mission, when the Space Shuttle Columbia will be lifted off
from Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
During their space walks to work on the Hubble Space Telescope,
astronaut’s cardiac information will be transmitted in
real-time to mission control at the NASA Johnson Space Center
where it will be monitored using the GE CIC Pro Clinical Information
Center and Apex Pro Telemetry System. After each space walk,
the cardiac data will be further analyzed and archived using
the MARS Unity Workstation. The GE systems being used by NASA
are now being used by healthcare professionals in the US and
worldwide.
“This
technology illustrates the value and capability of telemedicine
the ability to effectively read, monitor and analyze a patient’s
heart condition from miles away,” said Joe Hogan, president
and CEO of GEMS. Adding further he said, “The concept
of telemedicine works for the sophisticated care and monitoring
of astronauts as well as for heart patients in our local communities.”
Prior to this mission, NASA developed and used its own proprietary
systems. Instead of recreating advanced heart monitoring systems,
NASA decided to reach out to the private sector and select
systems best suited for their needs. By doing so, NASA is
effectively taking advantage of the state-of-the-art technology
in healthcare while at the same time exploring applications
of this technology in ways that may benefit everyday medical
practices on earth.
The result is a more cost-effective solution for NASA and
an opportunity for GE to benefit from NASA’s expertise.
With technical support from GE Medical Systems, Wyle Laboratories
and Life Sciences Systems and Services, a prime support contractor
at NASA Johnson Space Center, performed integration of the
GE medical systems with NASA’s communication and mission
control infrastructure, and will operate the systems during
this mission.
“For
the past 35 years, we’ve helped healthcare providers
deliver first-of-its-kind monitoring technology that elevates
the quality of patient care worldwide,” said Greg Lucier,
GEMS IT president and CEO. Adding further he said, “The
Hubble mission marks yet another first for our technology
and we’re hopeful of its positive impact on the space
program and advancement for patient care.”
|
