The LSLE Echocardiography: Commercial Hardware Aboard Spacelab

Ultrasonic Medical Imaging Equipment, packaged for use on the Shuttle Spacelab, will put a sophisticated medical research device in space. Adaptation of this commercial system paves the way for complex commercial hardware aboard Shuttle. The Echocardiograph generates a real-time image of the heart which will be recorded on video tape. The hardware of choice is the Hewlett-Packard model 77020AC Ultrasound Imaging System. Modifications include extensive repackaging and substitution of mil-spec power supplies. The self-testing features of the Hewlett-Packard design will allow flight system check-out with very little ground support equipment. Medical research applications in spaceflight include the measurement of cardiac output, stroke volume, and heart wall motion in o-g. How a commercial product can be made to meet NASA spacecraft standards is the subject of this article.