Defibrillator Selected for Use in Space

The first automated external defibrillator (AED) has been selected and deployed by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA, Washington, DC, USA) on the International Space Station (ISS).

The Lifepak 1000 defibrillator is an AED created for use by basic life support responders to treat cardiac arrest patients. With the exception of a customized battery and a NASA-created cover--specifically designed for use in space to help protect it from electromagnetic interference--the Lifepak 1000 deployed on board the ISS is the same device used by professional emergency responders. The rugged defibrillator uses proprietary Adaptiv biphasic technology that provides a range of energy from 150 up to 360 joules, and an upgradeable platform. The system is equipped with cprMAX technology, enabling care providers to change protocols as standards of care evolve. A large, intuitive screen displays graphics and electrocardiogram (ECG) readings that are clear and easy to read from a distance. The Lifepak1000 can also be programmed so that responders with more advanced training can view a three-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) onscreen to provide continuous cardiac monitoring. For the ISS, the Lifepak 1000 AED, manufactured by Physio-Control (Redmond, WA, USA), was equipped with a special battery developed and provided by Micro Power Electronics (Hillsboro, OR, USA), a leading manufacturer of custom batteries and power systems.

"We are honored NASA selected the Lifepak 1000 defibrillator to protect the lives of crewmembers onboard the International Space Station,” said Brian Webster, president of Physio-Control. "The 1000 is used by thousands of emergency responders worldwide and was designed for use in the harshest environments and situations; it's proven to be one of the most reliable products Physio-Control has ever developed. This 'space first' is especially exciting for us, as it underscores the many reasons customers choose Lifepak defibrillators for emergency medical use.”

The International Space Station is an orbiting laboratory complex in orbit 384 kilometers above the Earth. Assembly began in 1998 and work on the complex continues today. The first resident crew established the beginning of a continual human presence in space and arrived in a Russian capsule as part of Expedition 1 in November 2000. Since then, astronauts from more than 10 countries have carried out 17 missions. The ISS has utilized manual defibrillators in the past, but NASA has decided to deploy an AED since it requires less training and maintenance, better enabling astronauts to respond to a medical emergency. The small size and light weight of the 1000 also helped minimize hardware mass and volume onboard the space station.

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