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Background
Background
Astronauts on long duration spaceflights succumb to prolonged exposure to microgravity which can result in significant health defects that include eyesight degradation, muscle dystrophy, or inflammation of the brain. The project's objective is to create a mobile Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP) device within a wearable suit to simulate gravity and revert fluid shifts in the body caused by spaceflight. The LBNP suit provides astronauts with the opportunity to perform daily activities while ensuring a healthy flow of fluids within their bodies thus providing a safer flight experience and easier acclamation when returning back to Earth.
The Evolution of Space LBNP Devices
Figure 1a: Chibis suit designed to revert fluid shifts in the upper body stationed to a wall was first integrated into spaceflight in the 1970s. Credit - Roscosmos
Figure 1b: Lower body negative pressure device structured as a cylindrical chamber with a vacuum regulation of 0 to 50 mm Hg below ambient pressure. Credit - NASA
Figure 1c: The preliminary design of the lower body negative pressure device at the start of the project worn by Dr. Petersen.
Project Objectives
Project Objectives
SAFETY
Safety standards are held to the highest priority and taken into consideration at the start of accomplishing each project objective. Specifically standards in association with NASA-STD-3001, which are geared towards ensuring the necessary safety needs for humans in spaceflight are considered. To learn more about these standards click HERE.
Figure 2: A display of the four main project objectives to meet the final design deliverables.
WEARIBILITY
Ensuring the astronauts comfort is key in evaluating the success of meeting each project objective since this will ultimately promote longer wear time. This will be measured based off the internal temperature, humidity level, and effectiveness of the air flow.
Plan of Action
Plan of Action
Figure 3: The layout of the design plans moving forward with the project.
All timeline references of each phase of our project were dated and tracked on the following Gantt Chart. This chart provides a detailed timeline of important phases of the project including: component purchases, testing, and data collection. To view the Gantt Chart click HERE.
Launching the Project....
Launching the Project....
A previous Bioengineering senior design team began the project in 2020 with contributions to the vacuum motor control. In their round of design the team accomplished the rewiring of a model vacuum as shown in Figure 2 to adjust the motor speed. To improve upon the initial rewired model new components along with newly designed encasing was decided upon to ensure proper wiring security and robust functionality.
VACUUM WIRING IMPROVEMENTS...
Figure 4a: Initial vacuum wiring configuration of a Makita Model #XCV10PTX.
Figure 4b: Final vacuum wiring design of a Makita Model #XCV10 with an LCD screen display.
Want to know what this testing showed us?
For an in-depth look into all our final design components click the 'Final Design' button below!
In collaboration with a senior design team working on the structure and material selection of the suit the lower body negative pressure pump will be compatible with the newly designed pant suit. The suit compatibility depends on the connection through the vacuum's hose connection and available placement of the air inlets.
Check out the updates for the newly designed structure of the suit HERE!
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