Press Release

NASA Uses Advanced Technology From Philips and SunTech Medical Instruments To Assess Astronaut’s Health Aboard International Space Station

By SpaceRef Editor
June 2, 2002
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Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI), and SunTech Medical
Instruments today announced that the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) is using their EASI 12-Lead ECG System and Tango
Blood Pressure Monitoring System, respectively, to monitor the
cardiovascular and respiratory health of astronauts aboard the
International Space Station.

Integral to the Crew Health Care System (CHeCS) at work in the
Space Station’s Human Performance Lab, EASI and Tango are used to
gather critical ECG and blood pressure data from astronauts under
high-noise, high-motion conditions. This data is used not only for
research purposes, but also for ongoing clinical monitoring designed
to ensure that Space Station crew members are medically fit to perform
their rigorous, multidisciplinary assignments under the
physically-challenging conditions that prevail during space travel.
NASA has been using the EASI 12-Lead System and the Tango Stress BP
Monitor as part of CHeCS aboard the International Space Station since
the second crew (Expedition Two).

The EASI 12-Lead System, implemented for this application in a
compact, lightweight device known as the Dower Box (named after Dr.
Gordon Dower, inventor of EASI), enables NASA’s medical staff to
derive 12 ECG leads using a five-electrode configuration, thereby
providing a highly convenient way to gather ECG data on astronauts
within the multi-tasking environment aboard the Space Station. Widely
used in Holter and telemetry systems as well as in bedside and
ambulatory patient monitors, EASI technology derives full 12-lead ECG
data and detects and documents cardiac arrhythmias under continuous
monitoring conditions.

EASI offers a number of clinical advantages, including convenient,
stable electrode positions on obvious anatomical landmarks for
enhanced ease of use; fewer electrodes for increased astronaut comfort
and mobility; an innovative lead configuration; and low interference
with other clinical procedures. The system’s convenience is
demonstrated by the astronaut’s ability to hook him/herself up for an
ECG without assistance. Today, EASI technology continues to be
enhanced by the Advanced Algorithm Research Center (AARC), a
Philips-sponsored organization devoted to advanced research and
development in all areas of ECG analysis, including diagnostic
electrocardiography, arrhythmia analysis, stress testing, patient
monitoring and resuscitation.

“A growing number of caregivers have come to rely on the
convenience and accuracy of EASI’s derived 12-lead ECG data as a
valuable tool for patient assessment,” stated Jim Polewaczyk, ECG
Applications Marketing and Operations Manager, Philips Medical
Systems. “The fact that NASA trusts EASI to deliver reliable ECG data
in space serves as strong testimony to the technology’s ability to
provide accurate, reproducible data in various medical settings across
the care continuum.”

ECG signals acquired from the EASI 12-Lead System trigger
SunTech’s R-wave-gated Tango Exercise BP Monitor to automatically
measure and display the astronaut’s systolic and diastolic blood
pressure, along with heart rate, at preset intervals during the CHeCS
treadmill stress tests. The hands-free Tango BP monitor, which weighs
only 1.2 kg, uses SunTech’s proprietary Dimensional K-Sound Analysis
(DKA) to distinguish Korotkoff sounds from artifact noise, including
treadmill foot strikes, so that systolic and diastolic pressures are
measured accurately. Tango incorporates a K-sound waveform display for
visual real-time confirmation of blood pressure values. With Tango,
medical personnel can focus on assessing the astronauts’ performance
on periodic fitness tests.

“Tango is particularly well suited to NASA’s CHeCS environment
aboard the International Space Station because it delivers superior
motion and noise tolerance during stress BP testing in a small,
lightweight device,” commented Dayn McBee, CEO of SunTech Medical
Instruments. “The Tango has always been the reliable leader in motion
tolerant stress test BP devices. NASA’s use of the Tango supports what
clinicians around the world know: that the Tango Stress BP monitor is
an accurate, efficient way to determine BP in any environment.
SunTech’s Dimensional K-Sound Analysis (DKA) blood pressure technology
continues to contribute to advancements in research and diagnostics in
clinical environments and now in space.”

About SunTech Medical Instruments:

SunTech Medical Instrument, Inc., located in Raleigh, North
Carolina, is the world leader in motion-tolerant non-invasive blood
pressure monitoring products and technology. SunTech has products for
24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring, exercise stress BP monitoring, and a
customizable OEM BP module. In addition, SunTech products feature four
levels of BP technology: Oscillome1b, Auscultatory, R-Wave Gated
Auscultatory and Dimensional K-Sound Analysis (DKA). The company,
whose sales increased by 38% in 2001, continues to provide NIBP
products to health care providers and manufacturers worldwide. SunTech
has ISO9001 and EN46001 accreditation. For more information, call
919-782-3005 or email at sales@suntechmed.com.

About Philips Electronics:

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands is one of the world’s
biggest electronics companies and Europe’s largest, with sales of EUR
32.3 billion in 2001. It is a global leader in color television sets,
lighting, electric shavers, medical diagnostic imaging and patient
monitoring, and one-chip TV products. Its 186,000 employees in more
than 60 countries are active in the areas of lighting, consumer
electronics, domestic appliances, components, semiconductors, and
medical systems. Philips is quoted on the NYSE (symbol: PHG), London,
Frankfurt, Amsterdam and other stock exchanges. News from Philips is
located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

SpaceRef staff editor.