Peristaltic Suit
Contributors | Irmandy Wicaksono, Ali Shtarbanov, Joseph Paradiso
Credit: Steve Boxall / ZERO-G
It is known that prolonged exposure to micro and hyper-gravity induces various acute health risks, such as osteoporosis, skeletal muscle atrophy and fatigue, and cardiovascular deconditioning. Providing continuous medical check-up and intervention for astronauts throughout their journey in the outer space and after their return to Earth is, therefore, imperative. Without the influence of gravity, bodily fluid hydrostatic pressure gradients arise, and blood distribution shifts from the astronaut's legs towards their upper body.
Peristaltic (PS) Suit is an active bioelectronic spacesuit that could simultaneously perform multi-modal, distributed physical and physiological sensing, as well as exert spatiotemporal and peristaltic pressure across the body.
The integration of both wireless biosensing and penumatic actuation system in the PS-Suit facilitates closed-loop and timely response to astronauts, and enables researchers to correspondingly study the direct influence of active-dynamic compression and micro to hyper-gravity conditions to various physiological markers. We hope that this on-going effort will ultimately help to preserve and maintain astronaut's health and well-being in comfortable and seamless manner so they can maximize their abilities and perform their duties safely during long-term spacefaring.
The first iteration of PS-Suit was tested on a Zero-G parabolic flight in May 2021.
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