NASA’s Glenn Research Center has licensed technology to Endotronix, Inc. of Peoria Illinois to help thousands of individuals avoid potentially life threatening complications of hypertension, abdominal aortic aneurysms, and congestive heart failure.
Space communications technology has made it possible to create extremely small antennas for Bio-Microelectromechanical Systems (Bio MEMS). These sensors can be implanted in the body and wirelessly transmit findings to a hand-held device that can power the implanted sensor, retrieve the data, and then transmit the data wirelessly to a computer for assessment and analysis.
The inventors of the technology, Glenn researchers Dr. Felix Miranda and Dr. Rainee Simons, were the first to identify the potential to apply radiofrequency technology to Bio-MEMS sensors. According to the researchers, the technology has the potential to meet NASA’s need to provide non-invasive monitoring for the astronauts health needs such as blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen during spaceflight.
“The technology enables frequent and accurate monitoring of patient health data in both the home and hospital. Wireless patient health monitoring has the potential to improve healthcare by enhancing treatment paradigms and reducing the overall cost of care,” stated Dr. Anthony Nunez, Co-Founder and CEO of Endotronix.
Endotronix, Inc. is expanding operations in Cleveland, Ohio with the assistance of BioEnterprise and TechLift.
For more information about the Innovative Partnerships Program at NASA Glenn go to http://technology.grc.nasa.gov.
