Orthopedics in Space Travel: Developing Procedures to Evaluate the Safety of Implants Amidst the Rise of Commercial Space Tourism

Abstract

With the rise of commercial space tourism, the barrier of entry into space lowers. Therefore, passengers with more complex medical conditions are predicted to enter space. This report aims to initiate the development of procedures assessing the safety of space travel for individuals with orthopedic implants. In preparation for the 2023 sounding rocket launch by McGill Rocket Team, the Payload subteam developed a bone model, a human model, a finite element analysis model, and a testing model for determining the safety of orthopedic implants under the harsh conditions of spaceflight. Measuring the dynamic forces of the MRT's Portho's rocket in flight yielded vibrations in the 300-2750 Hz range, which is valuable for creating better models of the loading conditions on orthopedic implants in silico. Three point bending testing revealed high precision but low accuracy in measuring the mechanical strength of the models. Ultimately, the study recommends adjusting the human, bone, and testing models to prevent oversimplification. Further, future work should analyze bone screw interfaces on a microscopic level to detect small changes in implant stresses. By implementing these changes, procedures can accurately describe the safety of spaceflight for those with orthopedic implants.