The ESA is developing a new device to analyze the blood of astronauts aboard the International Space Station. This device will diagnose diseases such as heart disease or diabetes with a single drop of blood.
To make a deposit sufficient analytical one drop of blood on a small disc full of miniaturized mechanisms. This disc is inserted into a mini-centrifuge that makes it rotate to distribute blood through all compartments of analysis.
The immediate analysis device (POCT) is capable of performing simultaneously a large number of independent testing, delivering analytical results within minutes.
This type of test can detect heart problems, ailments in the liver or kidneys and diseases such as diabetes. The device is designed to perform many of the most common medical tests in situ, quickly and with quality laboratory.
On October 28th the ESA signed a contract with Diagnostics Radisens to study how to adapt this technology for manned space missions. The Irish company will have the ability to implement new kinds of analysis and adapt the design to work in space. Among other aspects, should be examined if the centrifuge is capable of working correctly under microgravity conditions.
“The human physiology experiments performed aboard the International Space Station increasingly require biochemical analysis”, says Nadine Fritz, the Directorate of Human Spaceflight and Operations of the ESA. “Following the withdrawal of the Space Shuttle has dramatically decreased the number of samples that can bring back to Earth, so it makes sense to make as many as possible analysis aboard the station”.
The Minister for Research and Innovation, Sean Sherlock, was very pleased with the signing of the contract: “this achievement of Radisens Diagnostics is the latest example of how the Irish SMEs can benefit from the participation of our country in the European Space Agency”.
“It’s very encouraging to see how small and medium businesses in Ireland are developing high-tech solutions to be used in the European space program”. This activity is developed within the ESA’s General Support Technology Programme (GSTP), designed to help turn promising concepts in ready-to operate in space.
In particular, the contract with Radisens Diagnostics uses a scheme very specific to this program: ‘GSTP-AO’. This scheme focuses on market-oriented technologies, equally funded by ESA and by the company in question.
Any company of ESA Member States participating in the GSTP program may submit proposals at any time. “This contract with Radisens is a good example of the flexibility and scope of the scheme”, said Alberto Tobias, Head of Systems Software and Technology Department at European Space Agency.
“Define the framework for technology transfer and joint research with other sectors. The processes are gradually adjusted to facilitate open innovation”. “Signing this agreement with ESA is a very important endorsement for our device”, said Jerry O’Brien, Executive Director of Radisens Diagnostics.
“We are delighted to formalize our strategic alliance with the ESA, and have the support of the organization ‘Enterprise Ireland’. We are eager to begin to adapt our technology to the needs of medical diagnosis, both on Earth and in space”.
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