Space Spinoffs for People with Disabilities
"Space Spin-offs That Enable"
Many of us may not realize the amount of space spin-offs that have substantially improved the lives of people with disabilities. You may wonder whether or not these spin-offs would be developed had it not been for our nation's space program and the research of NASA scientists. As you read this essay, it will become evident how these examples of spin-offs would not have been developed if we did not spend money on space research.
Many such spin-offs in the field of medicine and independent living for the disabled came about because of studies on astronauts' bodily systems in microgravity and on long space flights, and in planetary research. Such research has been conducted during the Apollo, Skylab, and space shuttle missions. In addition, with the development of the international space station and the Russian space station Mir, research on the human anatomy in space becomes crucial.
In studying the effects of motor coordination and muscular/neurological systems of astronauts during long periods in space, NASA scientists and doctors realized how microgravity can result in muscle atrophy without the right exercise. This research is helpful in determining how to keep astronauts as physically fit as possible so their productivity is optimal.
Automatically, these researchers began using much of this research here on earth, particularly for people with disabilities. For example, NASA developed the gait analysis system, a diagnostic tool for people with difficulty walking. This system was a direct spin-off on the study of biotelemetry for such applications as monitoring astronaut vital and neurological functioning from the ground.
NASA uses telemetry by collecting data from orbiting satellites, relayed to earth. Here coded signals are sent by radio and decoded on the ground. There are many applications of telemetry, but in this case it is the monitoring of astronaut functioning. This spin-off is used to diagnose walking disabilities assesses such problems in people with neurological developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, other birth defects and congenital disabilities and/or injuries. These disabilities affect the nervous system, causing muscular spasticity and loss of coordination.
From personal experience with my own such disabilities, I know it is often very difficult to determine these walking/coordination problems solely from a physical examination, because muscles vary widely. Therefore, through a process called electromyography, which is the recording of electrical activity in the muscles, physicians can identify the affected muscles and prescribe treatment. Such research would not be possible without space research.
This space-derived invention called the "gait analysis telemetry system" emerged as a cooperative development between NASA, the Children's Hospital at Stanford, Palo Alto, California and L&M Electronics Inc., Daly City, California. This is a wireless system that registers detailed information on a patient's leg muscle action during walking tests with the use of sensors and transmitters.
This system is now also being used in a research program at the Department of Veterans Affairs' Rehabilitation Research and Developmental Center, Palo Alto to investigate the possibility of restoring locomotion to people with spinal cord injuries and significant gait disabilities.
Another spin-off that would not have been possible without the space program is the Programmable Remapper for people with low vision. The Remapper is a technical transfer of a NASA program aimed at developing an image processor to simplify, speed up, and improve the accuracy of pattern recognition in video imaging. The processor is needed to solve problems associated with automated spacecraft tracking/docking and autonomous planetary landings. This was drawn up by the Tracking and Communications Division of Johnson Space Center and Texas Instruments.
During its development, the Remapper's potentials for application to human low vision problems were quickly apparent, and NASA's Technology Utilization Office who specializes in creating spin-off applications, provided funds to conduct vision-related research. The Remapper is being adapted as a prosthesis for people suffering from certain types of low vision. NASA had the technology and was already working on vision and communication issues due to the imagery work NASA studied in planetary research.
"Talking maps" are another space spin-off for people with visual disabilities. The user who is blind carries the technology around on the streets like a walkman. The map relies on satellite signals to inform people exactly where they are, using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology.
A device that provides visual cues for people who are deaf was developed by Joseph Resnick and one of NASA's six Regional Technology Transfer Centers (RTTC). In this case, it was NASA who helped to collaborate the invention.
Steve Roper was a young boy, born without sweat glands, who could not play outdoor sports for fear of heat stroke. During a visit with his aunt, Sara Moody, Steve became overheated while riding in an air conditioned car. Steve Roper's cousin saved Steve's life by spotting a lawn hose which he used to hose him down. The incident had prompted Sara Moody to contact NASA's Langley Research Center who put her in touch with Life Support Systems, Inc., (LSSI), a NASA contractor and manufacturer of personal cooling gear.
With the help and funding of NASA, LSSI manufactured a child size cool suit, spun off from the cool suits used by the astronauts, and now Steven can play outside and enjoy a normal childhood. If it was not for the space program, Steve would not be enabled as he was to lead a normal life. Now because of this spin-off, Steve can play baseball with his friends and participate in all of the activities that most boys his age enjoy. LSSI also manufactures the cool suit for adults with multiple sclerosis.
NASA fully funded a cooperation program to develop a wheelchair using aerospace composite materials, thus making the chair more aerodynamic and durable. NASA's Langley Research Center teamed with the University of Virginia Rehabilitation Engineering Center with funding from NASA and the National Institute of Handicapped Research first employed aerospace computerized structural analysis techniques in order to arrive at an optimal wheelchair design. They constructed a prototype made of aerospace materials which are lighter with the same strength and weight-bearing capability as heavier chairs. Also, this wheelchair can be stowed away more easily and is much easier to operate. This spin-off could not have been possible without the aerospace materials, technology and the funding of Langley, therefore, if it were not for space research, this wheelchair could not have been designed.
The Chemo-cooler is a brand name for a device developed out of Johnson Space Center which was a spin-off from the cooling system from the astronaut space suit. It is a cooling device that brings down the temperature of the scalp for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments. The heat from the chemotherapy causes hair loss in many of these patients and the Chemo-cooler restores about 20% of the hair lost during such treatments.
NASA also joins the crusade for breast cancer research. According to Dan Goldin, NASA Administrator, NASA signed an agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services enlisting NASA technologies to fight breast cancer and other woman's illnesses which can be very debilitating and disabling. NASA Ames Research Center in Moffit Field, CA and the Office on Women's Health will identify, develop and transfer NASA technologies to benefit woman's health and to prevent several female related disabilities. The areas of major concern are breast and cervical cancer, and osteoporosis.
The technologies demonstrated included the new robotic "Smart Surgical Probe," technology to allow three-dimensional "planning" for breast reconstruction and prosthetics, as is currently done for facial reconstructive surgery. NASA is also working on a device to predict a woman's specific risk of contracting osteoporosis. Woman with mobility disabilities as well as those who lack calcium in their diet are especially at risk due to weak bones and muscles.
At a luncheon sponsored by the Congressional Caucus on Woman's Issues discussing, NASA astronaut, Mary Ellen Weber, Ph.D., explained how NASA efforts to grow human cells and tissues in space help researchers understand cancer and oncology as well as the response of the human immune system. Dr. Carolyn Krebs of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, provided information on the how Hubble Telescope star mapping technology is being used in doctors' offices today to more easily detect small tumors in breast tissue in their early stages. This new technique is being performed using a needle instead of surgery for a biopsy. For more information on NASA's role in woman's health, please click here.
Biofeedback used in aerospace technology for controlling
airplanes, helicopters, and NASA trainer planes have been acknowledged to have potential for people with disabilities otherwise unable to control their wheelchairs. This type of biofeedback allows for a person with limited upper body strength or limited coordination to be able to move his or her wheelchair. Without such technology, they would be dependent on a personal assistant for mobility. This increases independence for people with severe cerebral palsy, severe muscular dystrophy, severe multiple sclerosis or any other condition that significantly impairs upper body mobility.
It is quite evident that the space program has played a tremendous role in improving the lives of the disabled. Also, this essay clearly demonstrates how many spin-offs for the disabled would not have been developed without the help of the space program, its resources and technology. Therefore, we can honestly say that the American space program has truly helped to enable the disabled in many ways.
An annual publication called Spin-off, which highlights some of
NASA's space spin-offs, is produced by the Technology Utilization Office, the NASA department responsible for technology transfers from aerospace to societal use. Ron Ernst, an aerospace education specialist working out of NASA Goddard Flight Center, also recommended a great NASA web site for more information on spin-offs .
The United Cerebral Palsy Association had some joint ventures with NASA in the areas of assistive technology helping NASA employees with cerebral palsy. Such technology includes voice activated and other adaptive software, etc. Their headquarters is located in Washington DC.
If anyone would like photos of any technology discussed in the article, the NASA PR Office, UCPA or the NASA Technology Utilization Office can provide such photos and illustrations.
Biography of Author: Professor Lorraine Lavorata, MBA is an adjunct college teacher of business and lecturer of space program applications and disability rights. She is also pursuing her doctorate in education administration at Columbia University. Professor Lavorata is the President/Founder of Suffolk Challengers for Space, National Space Society (NSS) Chapter. Also, Professor Lavorata has life-long severe neurologically based physical disabilities.
� Copyright 1999 Reagan-Lorraine Lavorata
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