NASA Uses Advanced Technology From Philips and SunTech Medical Instruments To Assess Astronaut's Health Aboard International Space Station.

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

ANDOVER, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 31, 2002

Philips Electronics

EASI 12-Lead ECG System and Tango Blood Pressure Monitor

Central to the Success of NASA's Crew Health Care System

Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI), and SunTech Medical Instruments today announced that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is using their EASI 12-Lead ECG System and Tango Blood Pressure Monitoring System, respectively, to monitor the cardiovascular and respiratory health of astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

Integral to the Crew Health Care System (CHeCS) at work in the Space Station's Human Performance Lab, EASI and Tango are used to gather critical ECG and blood pressure data from astronauts under high-noise, high-motion conditions. This data is used not only for research purposes, but also for ongoing clinical monitoring designed to ensure that Space Station crew members are medically fit to perform their rigorous, multidisciplinary assignments under the physically-challenging conditions that prevail during space travel. NASA has been using the EASI 12-Lead System and the Tango Stress BP Monitor as part of CHeCS aboard the International Space Station since the second crew (Expedition Two).

The EASI 12-Lead System, implemented for this application in a compact, lightweight device known as the Dower Box (named after Dr. Gordon Dower, inventor of EASI), enables NASA's medical staff to derive 12 ECG leads using a five-electrode configuration, thereby providing a highly convenient way to gather ECG data on astronauts within the multi-tasking environment aboard the Space Station. Widely used in Holter and telemetry systems as well as in bedside and ambulatory patient monitors, EASI technology derives full 12-lead ECG data and detects and documents cardiac arrhythmias under continuous monitoring conditions.

EASI offers a number of clinical advantages, including convenient, stable electrode positions on obvious anatomical landmarks for enhanced ease of use; fewer electrodes for increased astronaut comfort and mobility; an innovative lead configuration; and low interference with other clinical procedures. The system's convenience is demonstrated by the astronaut's ability to hook him/herself up for an ECG without assistance. Today, EASI technology continues to be enhanced by the Advanced Algorithm Research Center (AARC), a Philips-sponsored organization devoted to advanced research and development in all areas of ECG analysis, including diagnostic electrocardiography, arrhythmia analysis, stress testing, patient monitoring and resuscitation.

"A growing number of caregivers have come to rely on the convenience and accuracy of EASI's derived 12-lead ECG data as a valuable tool for patient assessment," stated Jim Polewaczyk, ECG Applications Marketing and Operations Manager, Philips Medical Systems. "The fact that NASA trusts EASI to deliver reliable ECG data in space serves as strong testimony to the technology's ability to provide accurate, reproducible data in various medical settings across the care continuum."

ECG signals acquired from the EASI 12-Lead System trigger SunTech's R-wave-gated Tango Exercise BP Monitor to automatically measure and display the astronaut's systolic and diastolic blood pressure, along with heart rate, at preset intervals during the CHeCS treadmill stress tests. The hands-free Tango BP monitor, which weighs only 1.2 kg, uses SunTech's proprietary Dimensional K-Sound Analysis (DKA) to distinguish Korotkoff sounds from artifact noise, including treadmill foot strikes, so that systolic and diastolic pressures are measured accurately. Tango incorporates a K-sound waveform display for visual real-time confirmation of blood pressure values. With Tango, medical personnel can focus on assessing the astronauts' performance on periodic fitness tests.

"Tango is particularly well suited to NASA's CHeCS environment aboard the International Space Station because it delivers superior motion and noise tolerance during stress BP testing in a small, lightweight device," commented Dayn McBee, CEO of SunTech Medical Instruments. "The Tango has always been the reliable leader in motion tolerant stress test BP devices. NASA's use of the Tango supports what clinicians around the world know: that the Tango Stress BP monitor is an accurate, efficient way to determine BP in any environment. SunTech's Dimensional K-Sound Analysis (DKA) blood pressure technology continues to contribute to advancements in research and diagnostics in clinical environments and now in space."

About SunTech Medical Instruments:

SunTech Medical Instrument, Inc., located in Raleigh, North Carolina, is the world leader in motion-tolerant non-invasive blood pressure monitoring products and technology. SunTech has products for 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring, exercise stress BP monitoring, and a customizable OEM BP module. In addition, SunTech products feature four levels of BP technology: Oscillometric, Auscultatory, R-Wave Gated Auscultatory and Dimensional K-Sound Analysis (DKA). The company, whose sales increased by 38% in 2001, continues to provide NIBP products to health care providers and manufacturers worldwide. SunTech has ISO9001 and EN46001 accreditation. For more information, call 919-782-3005 or email at [e-mail].

About Philips Electronics:

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of EUR 32.3 billion in 2001. It is a global leader in color television sets, lighting, electric shavers, medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, and one-chip TV products. Its 186,000 employees in more than 60 countries are active in the areas of lighting, consumer electronics, domestic appliances, components, semiconductors, and medical systems. Philips is quoted on the NYSE (symbol: PHG), London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and other stock exchanges. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.