Cola Drinking Astronauts to Use Ohmeda Blood Oxygen Monitor in Space Experiment.LIBERTY CORNER, N.J.--(HealthWire)--Feb. 3, 1995--Astronauts aboard NASA's SPACEHAB 3, launched from Cape Canaveral Cape Canaveral (kənăv`ərəl), low, sandy promontory extending E into the Atlantic Ocean from a barrier island, E Fla., separated from Merritt Island by the Banana River, a lagoon; named (1963) Cape Kennedy in memory of President John , Fla., today, will quaff colas and use a small, hand-held monitor and finger tip sensor to measure changes in their heart rates as they drink. The unusual experiment is supported by Ohmeda, a health care company specializing in anesthesia and critical care. It employs Ohmeda's new hand-held pulse oximeter pulse oximeter n. A device, usually attached to the earlobe or fingertip, that measures the oxygen saturation of arterial blood. pulse oximetry n. , a blood oxygen monitor that is more apt to be used in a hospital than a space shuttle space shuttle, reusable U.S. space vehicle. Developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), it consists of a winged orbiter, two solid-rocket boosters, and an external tank. . The Shuttle experiment focuses on the physiological changes that astronauts experience during weightlessness weightlessness, the absence of any observable effects of gravitation. This condition is experienced by an observer when he and his immediate surroundings are allowed to move freely in the local gravitational field. , and how these changes create orthostatic intolerance in astronauts when they return to Earth. A common condition that often affects older people, orthostatic intolerance results in dizziness and fainting due to shifting blood volume when a person stands quickly. How might cola drinking in space keep older earthlings from fainting? "It's all related to changes in our heart rate when we drink something," explained Louis Stodieck, who is associate director of BioServe Space Technologies, a NASA NASA: see National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA in full National Aeronautics and Space Administration Independent U.S. Center for the Commercial Development of Space, located at the University of Colorado University of Colorado may refer to:
"When we drink, a response is automatically triggered through the nervous system to increase the heart rate," Stodieck said. "With the help of Ohmeda's OxySTATTM Plus hand-held oximeter oximeter /ox·im·e·ter/ (ok-sim´e-ter) a photoelectric device for determining the oxygen saturation of the blood. ox·im·e·ter n. Pulse oximeter. and OxyTipR sensor, we'll be collecting heart rate and blood oxygen saturated data to compare astronauts' heart reflex mechanisms under weightless conditions to data taken preflight pre·flight adj. Preparing for or occurring before flight. tr.v. pre·flight·ed, pre·flight·ing, pre·flights To check (an aircraft) for airworthiness before flight. . "After studying the changes that occur, we hope to develop countermeasures to prevent orthostatic intolerance in astronauts following space flight, which may be applied to people suffering from it here on Earth." "We hope our expertise will help further the space program and, at the same time, the medical community's understanding of human conditions and illnesses," said Ohmeda President and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. Roger Stoll, Ph.D. "As an industry leader in medical monitoring technology that helps millions of people worldwide, Ohmeda is pleased to partner with the NASA sponsored BioServe center." Joseph Pepper, Ph.D., Ohmeda Medical Systems Division president, also noted the value of the partnership, "Being a part of the NASA BioServe space experiment program offers Ohmeda a unique opportunity to evaluate our products in a space environment and identify new technologies for use in our own markets." On Earth, the OxySTAT pulse oximeter is used in medical situations where a patient's blood oxygen level might be compromised. Through continuous monitoring, it identifies any change in a patient's blood oxygen level and heart rate to assist the health care professional in diagnosis and treatment. The OxyTip sensor, which attaches to the finger, uses light emitting diodes (LEDs) to provide pulse/blood flow information. The OxySTAT hand-held oximeter was introduced to market last month by Ohmeda Medical Systems Division. Ohmeda is the health care business of The BOC (Bell Operating Company) One of 22 companies that was formerly part of AT&T and later organized into seven regional companies. See RBOC. Group, a $5.2 billion, UK-based company that also has businesses in industrial gases, vacuum technologies and distribution services. Ohmeda is headquartered in Liberty Corner, N.J., employs approximately 5,300 people in 30 countries and had revenues of about $800 million in 1994. Ohmeda's pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and devices are used in operating rooms, post anesthesia care units and neonatal intensive care units throughout the world. Editor's note: The OxySTATTM hand-held oximeter and OxyTipR sensor are manufactured at Ohmeda's Colorado facilities located in Boulder and Louisville. Photos of both products are available upon request. CONTACT: Judee Shuler Ohmeda 908/771-4769 or Kim Rotondo Blethen & Youdovin 908/382-8037 |
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