1. Cary Caruthers and Shellene Suemori
Team Pioneer Gravity and the Human Cardiovascular System and the Effectiveness of Countermeasures
Cary Caruthers and Shellene Suemori

2. Overview
Objective:
Create increased blood-flow to lower extremities by applying negative pressure
Expectation:
To observe changes in volume as varied pressure differentials are created
Hypothesis:
Fluid volume will increase in areas that experience a decrease in pressure
Why this experiment?
NASA has dedicated a great deal to health-related research as humans spend increasing lengths of time in space. Research into orthostatic intolerance and other cardio-related issues is a top priority at the Human Adaptation and Countermeasures division of JSC.

3. What is Orthostatic Intolerance?
Michael Delp, Texas A&M University conducting research on rat arteries
Reduced gravity conditions cause a shift in the blood of astronauts; the fluid shift to
the trunk and head regions causes decreased blood flow to the legs and lessens the
volume of blood maintained in the body overall
Microgravity conditions cause atrophy of the veins of the legs, making them less
effective in constricting and moving blood back to the brain
Astronauts can lose consciousness upon re-entry as the blood rushes into the legs
and the body cannot redirect blood flow to the brain
Elderly and less active individuals can suffer from this health issue under normal
gravitational conditions

4. Design

6. Payload Diagram User interface allows for variable pressure control
Arduino can store data on a micro SD card, and/or print to
the laptop computer

7. Components/testing
Aluminum 6061 was chosen for the outer housing for structural stability
Polycarbonate (1/4 in) will contain the simulated cardiovascular system
Tygon brand ultra-soft tubing will be used for flexibility and varied IDs. Shore durometer rating of 40

8. Components/testing continued
12 V air pump with variable speed capabilities
ambient to psig range
Flojet Liquid pump Quad II set to approx 5L/min
max flow rate of 12.5L/min
Blood simulant will be composed of xanthan gum, sodium chloride, and glycerol. Viscosity is approx. 3.5mPa.sec.
Solid state pressure transducer
0-5 VDC output
0-15 psia range

9. In flight data collection
All data will be recorded to
a micro SD card
First four parabolas will
have no pressure differential
Next four parabolas will have
a pressure differential
generated by ¼ of full power
of the air pump
All proceeding four parabolas
will get an increase of ¼ of full
power of the air pump until:
The target volume is obtained
The flight is over
Errors are encountered

10. Educational Outreach Vanguard Classical School
K-8 Inclusive Charter School with a very diverse population
Located in Aurora, CO
Promotes interest in STEM fields in younger children
Introduces research and teamwork to classrooms
Conceptualizing an experiment
Assigning tasks
Researching construction materials
Knowing the environmental constraints
Writing a proposal
Preparing a poster for presentation
Meeting deadlines
Celebrating success as a team

11. Conclusion
Orthostatic intolerance is an ongoing issue faced by astronauts as they spend longer periods of time in space
There are health problems that are related to decreased blood flow and atrophy of the veins that will benefit from research in this area
The ability to produce something that would counteract these effects on the cardiovascular system would be an asset to NASA and the medical community
Student research is a cost effective way to examine varied solutions to a problem
Flight data will be collected in June 2011, results will follow