Kotov O.V., Ryazansky S.N. Medical space experiment Splanch. Study of the sensorimotor coordination in zero gravity // Korolev's Planet website. gagarin.energia.ru/en, 2014.

Авторы: Котов О.В. / Рязанский С.Н.

Medical space experiment Splanch. Study of the sensorimotor coordination in zero gravity

Broadcast from ISS RS by cosmonauts Oleg Kotov and Sergei Ryazansky about space experiment Splanch 

S. Ryazansky In this report we continue addressing the subject of space experiments dedicated to medical studies onboard the ISS RS. This time we bring to your notice a medical space experiment Splanch, dedicated to studying the sensorimotor coordination in zero gravity. The experiment is conducted in order to obtain, under conditions of spaceflight, data on the structural and functional status of various divisions of gastrointestinal tract, abdominal cavity organs and vessels, about the mechanism of changes in the digestive system under zero gravity.

In accordance with the modern trends in gastroenterology, the preliminary diagnostics uses the method of cutaneous electrogastroenterography (EGEG). This method does not require any special medical training, and computer programs for the evaluation of the study results make it easier to draw conclusions. Determined with the use of this method is the status of the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) as a whole and of its various divisions: stomach, duodenum, jejunum and ileum, the entire small intestine and large intestine. The method of cutaneous EGEG makes it possible to determine the status of GIT by the frequency bands of the GTI electrical potential oscillations. Each division has its own band.

The principal investigator of this medical experiment onboard the ISS RS is the Institute for Medical and Biological Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The experiment is conducted during a six-month mission, which provides an opportunity to record possible gastro-intestinal tract changes caused by the long mission.

The Splanch experiment is conducted using the Splanch-1 kit and the equipment for biochemical analysis of blood Reflotron-4.

After waking up in the morning, without having breakfast, we prepare the Splanchograph device for the studies. We attach electrodes to the body; connect them to their connectors on the Splanchograph device. We start recording electrogastroenterogram, which takes about four hours. During recording, the device is worn at the waist.

Also before breakfast, we perform analysis of the capillary blood sample taken from a finger using analyzer Reflotron-4.

While the device operates independently, we have breakfast and carry out the work that is not related to the experiment. Then we take another blood sample. This is needed for an indirect estimate of the efficiency and aspects of the GIT operation.

Then we perform final operations, which include dismantling the setup, removing the electrodes and stowing the hardware away. We copy obtained electrogastroenterogram (EGEG) from the memory card of the device to the memory card "Splanch-1.Data" and downlink to Earth via MCC communications links.

Fig. 1. The Splanchograph device

O. Kotov Good day! Today we are conducting the Splanch experiment using equipment for biochemical analysis of blood Reflotron-4.

There's nothing to it: we draw capillary blood from a finger like this (pricks his finger, - Ed.), we use glass dropper, that is, a piece of conventional terrestrial lab equipment. A drop of blood is applied to a measuring plate, the plate is inserted into the device, and the device automatically starts measuring a certain specific parameter. We repeat these operations for all the required parameters. Before breakfast we examine seven blood parameters, two hours after the breakfast two parameters.

The obtained experimental results will become the basis for studying mechanisms causing changes in digestive system in zero gravity, developing diagnostics and instant diagnostics of borderline changes, formulating diet recommendations, taking preventive measures and correcting changes in the state of digestive system organs when the spaceflight duration is increased.

Thank you for your attention!

Video:

Russian version of the article.


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