Circadian Rhythm Management System

The value of measuring sleep-wake cycles is significantly enhanced by measuring other physiological signals that depend on circadian rhythms (such as heart rate and temperature) and environmental conditions that are known zeitgebers, such as light exposure. As a result, a more complete picture of crewmember circadian rhythms and the environmental factors that entrain them will aid in determining adequate sleep levels and the countermeasures necessary to achieve them. In order to maximize safety, performance, and research value, crewmembers are in need of a device that unobtrusively measures sleep-wake cycles alongside environmental factors. This device must measure and communicate these signals while requiring very little crew overhead, a low energy budget, and a radically long battery life. Orbital Research Inc. (Cleveland, OH), with academic and commercial partners, proposes to design and prototype a Circadian Rhythm Measurement System (CRMS). Orbital envisions the CRMS to be a compact, light-weight unit worn on the upper part of the non-dominant arm. In contrast with more common wrist-worn devices, this positioning will provide additional battery space for energy storage and access to rich biological signals (heart rate and skin temperature). A consumer fitness device marketed by Orbital's commercial partner that makes use of upper-arm positioning has proven to be comfortable and inconspicuous to tasks involving the hands. The Orbital CRMS effort will focus on extremely energy-conscious design and minimally obtrusive user experience. The final product will measure sleep/wake cycles alongside heart rate, skin temperature, and light exposure without required intervention for 2 weeks or longer, transmit daily (or more frequent as needed) reports to an ISS computer automatically, and will provide feedback to the user upon request. Orbital will heavily leverage its existing technology and expertise to achieve these design goals.

The proposed design would be of immediate utility to ISS crewmembers. The CRMS would allow astronauts to free the task of self-reporting sleep from their workloads. The rich dataset available to flight surgeons and mission planners will aid in designing fatigue countermeasures. The greater understanding of circadian rhythms gained by the research community from this rich dataset will enable more intelligent design of circadian entrainment strategies for low earth orbit missions and beyond. Orbital will partner with BodyMedia to manufacture units that will be sold to NASA.

Consumer devices that measure and report personal physiological data represent a significant recent increase in consumer electronics demand. Orbital will work with its commercial partner BodyMedia to incorporate improved sleep analysis and battery-extending technologies developed during this program in commercial personal fitness devices. In addition to personal fitness applications, companies may incorporate this data into their employee health strategies.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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