Rapid advances in satellite technology in tandem with the explosive, multifaceted growth of computer communications network have proved to be a big boon for the world of medical science and healthcare. In fact the down-to-earth application potentials of space technology are exerting an extremely positive impact on the worldwide efforts to alleviate the suffering of the humanity. It is in keeping with this trend that American space scientists have come out with a gadget that can help the blind see. The so called Low Vision Enhanced System (LVES) based on the imaging technology was developed by the American defence department in association with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for cockpit displays in manned vehicles like the space shuttle. Interestingly, the system forms a single image from three cameras on a headset. A majority of the people declared blind are known to have some vision that help them to see objects few inches away from their eyes. Indeed those affected by disorders like glaucoma degeneration are likely to benefit most from LVES. Basically, the LVES is made up of three miniature cameras providing left and right images for orientation and a zoom facility. Auto focused images from the cameras are registered with two camcorder teleview finders before being processed. Another unit tied round the waste holds the battery connections and controls for camera selection and zoom contrast. On the other hand in Russia, the Institute of Medical and Biological Problems (IMBP) which has in association with a German firm developed an innovative blood analyzer --Reflatgron-4 says that it can be used in hospitals and clinics for a quick check up of various parameters of human blood. Ideally it is well suited for rapid diagnosis in operation wards and medical centres. The operational principle of the instrument is based on chemical reaction of dry nature. A drop of blood is first placed on a test paper and then inserted in a special receptacle of Reflatron-4 which provides a spectral analysis quickly and efficiently. The results of spectral analysis are computer processed. Another instrument developed by IMBP for checking the physical parameters of astronauts in orbit can find application in measuring the glucose content in diabetic patients. Yet another gadget engineered by the Institute for the specific use of astronauts onboard the Mir complex can measure the levels of cholesterol in blood. Space medicine experts say that three gadgets will soon become a household name like a thermometer or a blood pressure gauge. Meanwhile the high profile International Space Station (ISS), a joint venture of USA, Russia, Japan and the fifteen nations European Space Agency (ESA) which is now getting ready for routine operations is all set to revolutionise the world of medicine and healthcare on terra firma. First intense research efforts now to study the dynamics of disturbances in astronauts onboard ISS could lead to the engineering of medical novel medical instruments with tremendous application potentials in medicare industry. On another front drug industry and genetic engineering firms are keen to make use of the research platform onboard the ISS to produce high purity drugs, chemicals, enzymes and vaccines. In particular production of carbohydrates and fatty acids in the void of outer space could give a commercial edge to the drug industry in the near future. Meanwhile the Indian Space Research Organistion (ISRO) is proposing a set of experiments that includes protein synthesis, aerobic cell cultivation and efficacy of yogic exercises in combating space sickness by making use of the ISS research platform. India is also planning to make use of ISS to create protein based three-dimensional memory devices. Similarly, the revolutionary development in satellite technology have led to widespread use of telemedicine which allows a patient to be treated by doctors located in a clinic thousands of miles away. Significantly, telemedicine allows specialists to apply their diagnostic skills remotely. Currently the European Community (EC) supports a large number of telemedicine projects spread across a large part of the world. Under a programme named Mermaid (Medical Emergency Aid through telemedicine). It has been defined by EC as a "rapid access to remote medical expertise by means of telecommunications and information technologies, no matter where patient or relevant information are located". Under Mermaid, a clinic situated in the tropical forests of Korou in French Guyana -where there is a spaceport of the European Space Agency for launching Ariane series of space boosters -- is linked to high tech medical aid and expert advice in Europe through a satellite located over the Indian Ocean region. Three telemedicine demonstrations held in Abiddjan in Africa as part of the training for African telecom experts allowed the African medical examiners to consult Medical specialist in Milan, Italy and Toulouse in France through a satellite link. Doctors at Abiddjan used the Inmarsat-B satellite to exchange the cardiogrpahic and dermatological images. In one demonstration, a miniature camera on top of a computer captured live video images of the doctors at Abidjan while a microphone picked up their voices. The audio and video signals were digitised and sent through an Inmarsat spacecraft parked over the Indian Ocean region to French Telecom''s earth station at Aussaguel. From there the signals were moved to the European Institute of Telemedicine in Toulouse where a medical expert was on hand to discuss the images. According to the Geneva-based International Telecommunications Union (ITU) "telehealth care" is gaining in popularity. On the other hand a recent US study estimates that between US$36-billion and US$40-billion could be saved worldwide if the healthcare industry were to use more and more efficient telemedicine links. Interestingly, many of the luxury ships and latest genre aircraft are today fitted with equipment for telemedicine support using satellite links. In yet another development of great significance, the European Institute of Telemedicine at Strasbourg has developed a protocol for the use of surgical images and data transmission through international multisite videoconferencing infrastructure using satellite links under a project named TEUS. The driving force behind TEUS is the realisation that it is rather difficult for medical experts to travel regularly around the world. The project''s underlying ideas rest on the use of surgical quality colour video image transmission. They enable multisite meetings between surgeons of the same disciplines, long distance training sessions, which demonstrate the possibility offfered by tele-education and long distance expert advice on diagnosis and therapeutic strategy. Hence, surgeons and doctors can access a versatile network that offers instant medical advice. During the two-year assessment of TEUS programme 70 meetings were held between various partners. Further 51 conferences on the state-of-art of particular surgical disciplines were presented and 271 complicated clinical cases requiring expert advice were discussed. With the presence of TEUS Programme on the international scene the first transatlantic teaching network was developed between the Institute of Telemedicine and other partners in various parts of the world. The author is a Bangalore-based writer |