Primate Physiological Sensors

The primate onboard Biosatellite III is instrumented with physiological sensors including im- planted electroencephalogram (EEG), electromyogram (EMG), electrooculogram (EOG), electrocardiogram (EKG), impedance pneumogram (ZPG), brain and body temperature electrodes, and blood pressure sensors. Transducers in the spacecraft measure capsule total pressure, partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide, air temperature, pellet and water consumption, urine production, task performance, day/night light status, and any changes in capsule altitude. In total, there are 33 channels of physiological information (including urine data). Telemetry data and data from the onboard flight recorder and camera combine to form a uniquely complete record of the animal's health, environment, and behavioral responses in weightlessness.

EEG: The EEG electrodes, which collect ten individual measurements, are deep implants through the top of the skull, potted into a head cap of Kadon.

EOG, EMG, EKG, ZPG: These sensors are implanted in muscle tissue with short exteriorized leads.

Brain and Body Temperature: The brain temperature sensor is installed as part of the head cap assembly and is located in the posterior superior portion of the corpus collosum. The body temperature sensor is attached to the urine catheter below the bladder.

Blood Pressure Sensors: Blood pressure sensors are connected to the implanted catheters, which extend to four separate cardiovascular sites: the central artery, tibular artery, the pulmonary artery, and the central vein. Two catheters are inserted into each leg near the medial surface of the knee and routed down each leg and covered with a nylon mesh "legging" before they connect to the fitting on the hammock. This instrumentation is connected mechanically to the four teflon catheters that enter the body at the animal's thigh. Pressures are measured at the transducer assembly, which is external to the animal. A set of solenoid pumps inject a small volume of heparin into each catheter line at one-minute intervals to maintain the catheter tip (within the animal) clear of any clogging or clotting.

Signal Conditioners: Signal conditioners for the low-level physiological outputs are located on the back of the animal's couch to minimize lengths of signal leads and provide practical interfaces for the animal/couch assembly with the rest of the flight system. Each sensor (electrodes, thermistors, pressure transducers, etc.) converts the acquired physiological or environmental variable to an electrical analog. This analog is conditioned (i.e. amplified, counted, etc.) to a voltage signal compatible with the telemetry system which then digitizes the data, codes it, and transmits it to the ground.

Specifications

Dimensions: Unknown

Weight: Unknown

Power: Unknown

Channels: 33

Output Signal: 0Ð5 Volts

Data Acquisition

Brain and body temperature; blood pressure; EEG, EKG, EOG, EMG, ZPG

Related Ground Based Hardware

None

Publications

•Biosatellite Project Historical Summary Report. J.W. Dyer, ed., NASA TM-X-72394, December 1969.

•Mains, R.C.: Report on Primate Restraint and Acceleration Protection System, Reentry Acceleration Data, and Flight Diet Composition for U.S. Biosatellite III Project. NASA Ames Research Center, February 1980.

•Adey, W.R. and P.M. Hahn: IntroductionÑBiosatellite III Results. Aerospace Medicine, vol. 42, March 1971, pp. 273Ð280.

Missions Flown Through 1990

Biosatellite III