ADVANCED DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND IN MICROGRAVITY (ADUM)
Research Area: Integrated Physiology and Nutrition
Expeditions: 8-12
Principal Investigator(s): ● Scott A. Dulchavsky, MD, PhD, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit,
Michigan
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The Advanced Diagnostic Ultrasound in Microgravity (ADUM) experiment involves crew
members conducting ultrasound exams on one another to determine the accuracy of
ultrasound use to diagnose certain types of in-orbit injuries and illnesses, as well as to assess
the feasibility of ultrasound for monitoring in-flight bone alterations.
EARTH BENEFITS
The use of a relatively small piece of medical equipment to diagnose various health problems,
in the absence of nearby specialized medical personnel, could save lives and reduce healthcare
costs. Patients could transmit ultrasound information to doctors over great distances, resulting
in efficient remote medical diagnosis and treatment to a high degree of confidence. This
technology essentially allows anyone in the world the potential to access unique clinical
imaging expertise remotely.
SPACE BENEFITS
Aboard the International Space Station (ISS),
there is not enough room for a fully functioning
hospital or staff of doctors. It is also not feasible
for a crew member to return quickly to Earth for
medical diagnosis. This experiment allows for
efficient testing for medical problems with
minimal use of onboard resources. The ability of
crew members to use an ultrasound machine
with remote instruction, along with ground
analysis, promotes timely treatment and averts
unnecessary evacuation. Using a modification of
this technology, crew members as far away as
Mars could obtain remote examinations from
doctors on Earth. This type of capability is
essential for long-term space exploration.RESULTS
The ISS ADUM experiment demonstrated that
minimal training, along with audio guidance
from a certified sonographer, produced
ultrasound imagery of diagnostic quality. The ISS
crew members, acted as operators and subjects,
completing comprehensive scans of theThe techniques established by the Advanced
Diagnostic Ultrasound in Microgravity (ADUM)
research on the International Space Station (ISS)
can rapidly and economically improve medical
care in underserved areas. This photo shows an
obstetrical examination conducted on an Inuit
mother in the high Arctic Circle. A just-in-time
training program developed for the astronauts was
modified to allow novice operators to perform
ultrasounds to determine the status of pregnant
women. This technique will provide important
guidance as to whether the delivery will be safe in
her village or whether potential complications will
require the mother to travel, seeking additional
attention from a higher level of care. Scott A.
Dulchavsky, MD, PhD, Henry Ford Health System,
Detroit, Michigan image.