Diagnostic Ultrasound at MACH 20: Retroperitoneal and Pelvic Imaging in Space

Jones, J.A.; Sargsyan, A.E.; Barr, Y.R.; Melton, S.; Hamilton, D.R.; Dulchavsky, S.A.; Whitson, P.A.

doi:10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2009.01.002

« Previous Next »Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology
Volume 35, Issue 7 , Pages 1059-1067, July 2009

Diagnostic Ultrasound at MACH 20: Retroperitoneal and Pelvic Imaging in Space

J.A. Jones
- NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
- International Space University, Strasbourg, France
- Address correspondence to: Jeffrey A. Jones, NASA/JSC SD2, Space Medicine and Health Care Systems / Medical Operations Branch, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, TX 77058.
A.E. Sargsyan
- Wyle Integrated Science and Engineering Group, Houston, TX
Y.R. Barr
- Department of Preventive Medicine – Aerospace Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
S. Melton
- Wyle Integrated Science and Engineering Group, Houston, TX
D.R. Hamilton
- Wyle Integrated Science and Engineering Group, Houston, TX
S.A. Dulchavsky
- Department of Surgery, Henry Ford Hospital System, Detroit, MI
P.A. Whitson
- NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX

Received 15 October 2008; accepted 3 January 2009. published online 08 May 2009.

Abstract

An operationally available diagnostic imaging capability augments spaceflight medical support by facilitating the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of medical or surgical conditions, by improving medical outcomes and, thereby, by lowering medical mission impacts and the probability of crew evacuation due to medical causes. Microgravity-related physiological changes occurring during spaceflight can affect the genitourinary system and potentially cause conditions such as urinary retention or nephrolithiasis for which ultrasonography (U/S) would be a useful diagnostic tool. This study describes the first genitourinary ultrasound examination conducted in space, and evaluates image quality, frame rate, resolution requirements, real-time remote guidance of nonphysician crew medical officers and evaluation of on-orbit tools that can augment image acquisition. A nonphysician crew medical officer (CMO) astronaut, with minimal training in U/S, performed a self-examination of the genitourinary system onboard the International Space Station, using a Philips/ATL Model HDI-5000 ultrasound imaging unit located in the International Space Station Human Research Facility. The CMO was remotely guided by voice commands from experienced, earth-based sonographers stationed in Mission Control Center in Houston. The crewmember, with guidance, was able to acquire all of the target images. Real-time and still U/S images received at Mission Control Center in Houston were of sufficient quality for the images to be diagnostic for multiple potential genitourinary applications. Microgravity-based ultrasound imaging can provide diagnostic quality images of the retroperitoneum and pelvis, offering improved diagnosis and treatment for onboard medical contingencies. Successful completion of complex sonographic examinations can be obtained even with minimally trained nonphysician ultrasound operators, with the assistance of ground-based real-time guidance. (E-mail: jeffrey.a.jones@nasa.gov)

Key Words: Ultrasound, Retroperitoneal imaging, Astronaut, Microgravity, Spaceflight, International space station