Compact Wearable Ultrasonic Monitoring System for In-Suit Venous Gas Emboli Detection

Astronauts undertaking extravehicular activities (EVAs) are exposed to major physiological risks due to reduced pressure environment of spacesuits. One of the most critical risks is decompression sickness (DCS), caused by the formation of venous gas emboli (VGE) during transitions from pressurized habitats to low-pressure EVA suits. While existing pre-breathe protocols reduce DCS risk, they are resource-intensive, requiring substantial oxygen reserves and crew time. The increasing workloads associated with partial gravity EVAs further elevate the risk of DCS, prioritizing the need for innovative monitoring solutions. Current decompression bubble management is based on EVA simulations and defining pre-breath protocols prior moving to space. There is no technology to monitor DCS during EVA. Clearsens Inc. is a start-up company that aims to translate capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) technology for wearable ultrasound applications. The company simplifies the manufacturing process and enables highly efficient, wide-bandwidth, and small form-factor CMUT arrays. Our goal is to tailor the patented technology to this NASA need for enhancing astronaut safety, optimizing resource usage, and ensuring mission success. Our findings show that the technology is well suited to make a low-power, wearable ultrasound imaging system. The company proposes to adapt this technology for a wearable, non-invasive ultrasonic sensing system to enable real-time, in-suit detection of VGE. We propose to evaluate this novel technology as a wearable for decompression stress quantification (phase I) and, if successful, optimize its imaging scheme by doing human experiments for real-time processing (phase II). This system will provide critical physiological data, enabling astronauts to monitor their decompression status for a safer EVA operation. The system can be used in other DCS risk management required markets like aviation and diving.

The methods for detecting VGE rely on ultrasound imaging in controlled laboratory conditions and currently, there is no method to detect VGE during operations in a pressurized spacesuit. The proposed wearable system uses ultrasound to image deep tissues and vessels and is capable of detecting bubble signals. The innovation represents a breakthrough for real-time VGE detection. The system can be seamlessly integrated within the spacesuit, providing astronauts with immediate feedback on decompression stress. This capability allows for proactive management of DCS risks, including modification of EVA activities or implementation of corrective measures before symptoms occur. Current ISS pre-breathe protocols would add significant time overhead and they are not validated for planetary EVA. By providing quantifiable decompression stress metrics, the proposed technology has the potential to optimize prebreathe protocols and reduce the time required for EVA preparation. This not only saves crew time but also conserves oxygen supplies, extending the feasibility of long-duration exploration missions where resupply is not an option. NASA’s long-term objectives, including lunar surface exploration under Artemis and eventual crewed Mars missions, demand innovations in spacesuit technology. The proposed VGE detection system fills a critical gap identified in NASA’s EVA and IVA Suit System Capabilities for Mars Missions, directly supporting the closure of gaps EVA-303 and EVA-401. The proposed wearable device can also monitor critical aspects such muscle and bone conditions affected by microgravity, provides proactive monitoring of astronauts health throughout the mission, supporting NASA’s goal of sustainable exploration. Wearable ultrasound technology holds significant potential for transforming patient care through enhanced diagnostic capabilities and real-time health monitoring. The proposed wearable system will have the capability to acquire b-mode ultrasound data and can be used for continuous and remote monitoring of internal tissues. It can be used for post-surgery monitoring and managing muscle, tendon, or joint injuries. Continuous monitoring of tissue healing for can help helping adjust treatments based on real-time data. First responders can use wearable ultrasounds to quickly assess internal injuries, guiding immediate interventions during patient transport. It also provides a non-invasive method for conducting health diagnostics in remote or underserved areas. With these potential applications, wearable ultrasound offers significant improvements in healthcare delivery, sports medicine, emergency response, and elderly care.

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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