Beat to BEAT – Non-Invasive Investigation of Cardiac Function on the International Space Station

Abstract

This paper describes the protocol of the microgravity experiment BEAT (Ballistocardiography for Extraterrestrial Applications and Long-Term Missions). The current study makes use of signal acquisition of cardiac parameters with a high-precision Ballistocardiography (BCG)/Seismocardiography (SCG) measurement system, which is integrated in a smart shirt (SmartTex). The goal is to evaluate the feasibility of this concept for continuous wearable monitoring and wireless data transfer. BEAT is part of the “Wireless Compose-2” (WICO2) project deployed on the International Space Station (ISS) that will provide wireless network infrastructure for scientific, localization and medical experiments.

On-Site Visualization of Ballistocardiography Data

“…The Ballistocardiography (BCG) method utilizes high-precision accelerometers to measure the heart's motion on the body surface and to non-invasively obtain physiological information of the cardiac function [4]. For sufficient on-site analysis, customized software was developed.…”