5 FACTS ABOUT

MEDICAL SPACE INNOVATIONS

1

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) These energy-saving bulbs are used to grow plants on the International Space Station, but also contributed to the creation of medical devices that use LEDs for muscle treatments.

2

Left ventricular assist device NASA aerospace engineers helped to design a heart pump called an LVAD. This device helps to keep the heart pumping while a patient awaits a heart transplant.

3

Digital mammography NASA commissioned the creation of high-tech silicon chips for digital imaging aboard the Hubble Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph. These went on to be used in mammogram tests.

4

Ear thermometers

These thermometers use NASA and Diatek-developed infrared astronomy technology to measure the heat energy emitted from your ear.

5

Artificial limbs

Research into shock absorption materials and robotics for spacewalks have been adopted for dynamic artificial limb creation.