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The proposed novel miniaturized technology will provide needed capability on the lunar surface to assist flight surgeons to diagnosis certain illnesses and selection of treatment options. The technology will also enable operational and research applications (LUNAR PARTICULATE RESEARCH), and potential terrestrial spin off benefits for military, third world medicine, outbreaks. This project will develop novel blood staining and imaging technology. This clinical test, the 'manual differential' portion of a complete blood count (CBC) is the most commonly ordered clinical laboratory test here on Earth. Using the developed kit a crewmember would be able to perform a 'Wright' stain on a fingerstick blood smear in minutes. The images could be interpreted by a trained/medical crewmember, or downlinked to Flight Surgeon for immediate evaluation. Automated analysis of the blood cell counts is a distinct possibility for follow-on development. The primary technical innovation will be a robust hand held 200x microscope (sensor, optics, casing) suitable for critical diagnostic and lunar ops/research purposes. The miniaturized microscope can be coupled with the staining kit, or deployed individually to support a broad range of operational and research activities on the lunar surface. For example, the device could be used to immediately analyze any vehicle contaminants on surfaces, in water or in food. It could be used to ascertain the nature of clogged vehicle fluidics, as has occured onboard ISS. Further, it could be used to immediately assess the morphological properties of lunar dust samples.
On ISS crewmembers experience persistent immune dysregulation and the reactivation of latent herpesviruses. Select crewmembers experience atypical allergy and dermatitis symptoms. These physiological dysregulations are caused by a combination of microgravity, stress, and radiation, and other factors, all of which are likely to worsen on the lunar surface. This 'perfect storm' of increasing radiation, limited habitable volume, limited countermeasure capability (compared to ISS) and lunar-specific hazards could increase crew health risks while performing surface operations.
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This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.
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