News

CGI and Hexoskin to Work Together on Connected Medical Clinic Project

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has awarded contracts to five teams to build prototypes of the Connected Care Medical Module (C²M²), a container-based concept for mobile medical clinics that can be rapidly deployed in remote, northern, or indigenous communities across Canada, in regions affected by natural disasters, and in future lunar and deep space missions.

Hexoskin (Carré Technologies Inc.) is proud to be part of the HARMONY team, led by CGI, one of the largest IT firms in the world, along with OKAKI Health Intelligence, PrecisionOS Technology, 12Volt: Games Studio, and Dr. Carolyn McGregor of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

Hexoskin will contribute Astroskin devices and AI-based medical software to the project. A first demonstration is planned for June 2023.

About the Connected Care Medical Modules

Health Beyond's vision is to enable agile, rapid prototyping and iterative operation of C²M²s on Earth, with the ultimate objective of operation in space. A C²M² is a scalable integrated system of state-of-the-art medical technologies and methodologies contained in a deployable unit. A shipping container will first be used for research and development purposes and for easy deployment across Canada via the existing intermodal freight transportation network. When preparing for space application and deployment in remote communities with collaborators, the medical module can be scaled down and adapted as needed.

One of the novel features of the C²M² is its core computer-based system that facilitates the incorporation, interconnection (i.e., flow of information), and usage of the latest medical technologies. This plug and play architecture will enable multiple configurations based on the end users' needs. These technologies increase the user's capacity to independently detect, diagnose, treat, and/or monitor health conditions on site. This improves the timeliness, quality, and continuity of care; refines clinical decision-making; and reduces the occurrence of risky and expensive medical transportation of patients from remote regions to urban hospital facilities.

(photo: Canadian Space Agency)

Hexoskin Receives 2022 International Space Station Research Innovation Award for Human Health in Space from American Astronautical Society

 Washington, D.C. - July 28th, 2022

The American Astronautical Society has awarded today the 2022 International Space Station Research Innovation Award for Human Health in Space to Hexoskin (Carré Technologies Inc.) for demonstrating a comprehensive physiology monitoring system for use in research and in situ crew care.

The Astroskin Bio-Monitor System was launched with SpaceX mission CRS-16 in December 2018 and was commissioned by Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques in January 2019. It is currently used in two clinical trials in microgravity to improve our understanding of cardiovascular health in space and physiological models of aging. These studies will help support human health during long-term space missions beyond Earth's orbit: to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

"This award celebrates 10 years of collaboration between Hexoskin and space agencies, and a technology that has a real impact on medical research in space and in our communities" said Pierre-Alexandre Fournier, CEO and co-founder of Hexoskin.

The Hexoskin space medicine team supports the operations of the Astroskin Bio-Monitor in space with the collaboration of the Canadian Space Agency, NASA, and other space agencies and subcontractors.

About Astroskin

Astroskin is the most advanced ambulatory vital signs monitoring platform for medical research in the world. Developed to qualify for space research, it can now benefit the most innovative research in Space and on Earth.

Astroskin offers state-of-the-art continuous real-time monitoring for 48 hours of blood pressure, pulse oximetry, 3-lead ECG, respiration, skin temperature, and activity.

The Astroskin garments are now available in a wide range of sizes for men & women. A large number of research organizations already use the Astroskin vital signs monitoring platform to collect data to answer their research questions.

About the ISS R&D Conference

The International Space Station Research and Development Conference (ISSRDC) brings together leaders from the commercial sector, U.S. government agencies, and academic communities to foster innovation and discovery onboard the International Space Station (ISS).

The conference is hosted by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, Inc., manager of the ISS National Laboratory; NASA; and the American Astronautical Society (AAS). ISSRDC showcases how the space station continues to provide a valuable platform for research and technology development that benefits humanity and enables a robust and sustainable market in low Earth orbit. Additionally, the ISSRDC marketplace expo allows companies to showcase how they are advancing opportunities in low Earth orbit and provides a venue to meet with researchers, stakeholders, and policymakers.

About the American Astronautical Society

The American Astronautical Society (AAS), established in 1899, is a major international organization of professional astronomers, astronomy educators, and amateur astronomers. Its membership of approximately 8,000 also includes physicists, geologists, engineers, and others whose interests lie within the broad spectrum of subjects now comprising the astronautical sciences.

The mission of the AAS is to enhance and share humanity’s scientific understanding of the universe as a diverse and inclusive astronautical community, which it achieves through publishing, meetings, science advocacy, education and outreach, and training and professional development.

Astroskin First Flight with Virgin Galactic and Kellie Gerardi

Washington, DC, USA (June 3rd, 2021): Virgin Galactic has announced a new contract to fly International Institute of Astronautical Sciences (IIAS) researcher Kellie Gerardi on a test flight of the company’s spaceflight system, during which Kellie will conduct experiments and test new healthcare technologies (including the Astroskin Bio-Monitor) while she's in space. 

(Credits: Greentag89, Wikipedia)

The purpose of the research mission is to demonstrate and advance novel scientific research benefits and applications that the spaceflight system provides for human-tended payloads.

The mission will also demonstrate the potential of conducting human research in suborbital flight, building on the research and knowledge gained from a number of Kellie’s reduced gravity flight campaigns performed here on Earth, including with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). 

Virgin Galactic will be able to provide new benefits to the space science research community in the form of repeatability, affordability and quality of the weightless environment which have historically been barriers for many wanting to conduct human spaceflight research.

During the spaceflight, following the shutdown of the rocket motor, Kellie will unbuckle from her seat and undertake the actions necessary to complete each experiment during several minutes of weightlessness. Virgin Galactic will provide training and preparation so that she is fully equipped to carry out her job as mission specialist on this flight and provide on-site pre-flight support for each of the payload experiments.

Working with IIAS, NRC and CSA, Kellie has already operated each payload in reduced gravity flights and will be bringing that unique payload specialist experience to the research mission. The payloads will include bio-monitoring instrumentation, including the Astroskin Bio-Monitor wearable sensors system, developed by Hexoskin with the support of the Canadian Space Agency, that will measure the biological effects of launch, weightlessness, re-entry, and landing on spaceflight participants.

The Astroskin Bio-Monitor has been in operation in the International Space Station since 2019 and is used by space agencies (CSA, NASA, ESA), to monitor astronauts' vital signs in orbit. The Astroskin is also used on Earth by researchers of 5 continents for clinical research applications.

“This historic flight will demonstrate the role private space companies can play to advance our knowledge of human physiology in space, to prepare for future missions to the Moon and beyond” said Pierre-Alexandre Fournier, CEO and co-founder of Hexoskin. “Many private space companies are planning to use the Astroskin system for astronaut training and during spaceflight, because it’s already in operation in the International Space Station.”

For more information about Hexoskin's involvement in this test flight or the Astroskin wearable vital signs sensor system, please contact us by email (contact@hexoskin.com) or by phone at 1-888-887-2044.

New Payload to Launch with SpaceX Mission CRS-22

If the weather permits, Hexoskin is set to launch its 8th Astroskin payload in collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency on June 3rd aboard another SpaceX rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

SpaceX Mission CRS-22 is the second launch of phase 2 of SpaceX's Commercial Resupply Service (CRS) contract. This is the 6th time SpaceX transports Astroskin equipment to the International Space Station, the 2 other payloads have been launched by Northrop Grumman's Cygnus rockets.

Microgravity affects fluid movements in the body and heat transmission (in the absence of convection movement in microgravity). This triggers physiological phenomena impossible to monitor on the ground and tests our models of human physiology. The Astroskin Bio-Monitor system gives scientists a tool to observe these phenomena in space. It also prepares us to maintain crew health during long space missions beyond low earth orbit (LEO), to the Moon and Mars.

A Brief History of the Astroskin

Astronauts from space agencies (NASA, CSA, ESA) have used the Astroskin system aboard the International Space Station since January 2019.

Here's a list of space launches that carried Astroskin payloads:

1. SpaceX CRS-16 (December 5th, 2018)
2. Cygnus NG-11 (April 17th, 2019)
3. SpaceX CRS-18 (July 25th, 2019)
4. SpaceX CRS-19 (December 5th, 2019
5. SpaceX CRS-20 (March 7th, 2020)
6. Cygnus NG-14 (October 3rd, 2020)
7. SpaceX CRS-21 (December 6th, 2020)
8. SpaceX CRS-22 (June 3rd, 2021)

The Astroskin Vital Signs Monitoring Platform is also used on Earth on industrial projects and scientific research. 

Information about Astroskin missions aboard the ISS:

Astroskin Live Demo

Join us on March 24, 2021 for the Astroskin Live Demo

Hexoskin will provide a demonstration of the capabilities of the Astroskin, an advanced wearable technology designed to continuously monitor the five vital signs.

We will cover the following topics:

• Astroskin Vital Signs Monitoring Platform
• Demo of the Astroskin Apps & Dashboard
• Current & Future Applications
• Q&A

Register your place today!

Advancing space medicine knowledge aboard the ISS. Another space mission for Astroskin / Bio-Monitor!

Earlier this month, European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano conducted validation tests on-orbit and wore the Astroskin garment and headband connected to the data unit for his first 72-hour monitoring experience.

Luca Parmitano also conducted maintenance operations for the Astroskin / Bio-Monitor that was deployed on the ISS orbiting lab, last December by Canadian Astronaut David Saint-Jacques.

Although the ISS is equipped with health and life sciences research tools, the existing instrumentation for continuous and simultaneous recording of several physiological parameters was lacking. To address this issue, the Canadian Space Agency's Bio-Monitor Commissioning activity uses the Astroskin / Bio-Monitor system; a complete vital signs monitoring platform coupled with a wearable garment capable of monitoring relevant physiological parameters in a non-invasive and non-interfering way during a normal day in space. 

The physiological parameters which can be monitored consist of blood pressure, peripheral blood oxygen saturation, 3-lead ECG, respiration, skin temperature, and activity, will help push further our understanding of Vascular aging and Human Physiology in space. 

Venturing into the environment of space, microgravity can have negative effects on the human body. When astronauts return to Earth, their carotid arteries, which carry blood to the head and neck, appear to have aged 20 to 30 years. Artery walls become stiffer and thicker in space, the same as when people grow older on Earth.

“You can take extremely healthy, fit astronauts and put them in an environment that restricts their ability to do daily exercise, and they run the risk of developing insulin resistance that on Earth could lead to Type II diabetes,” said principal investigator Richard L. Hughson of Schlegel-University of Waterloo in Ontario

Now operational the Astroskin Bio-Monitor system is available for the next five years to conduct Health research in Space for all participating countries to the International Space Station.

Sometimes you wear the experiment: the Bio-Monitor smart shirt system measures vital signs like temperature, heart rate, respiration and movement, and transmits the data to a tablet application. #MissionBeyond @csa_asc pic.twitter.com/2h6lmRUyHH

— Luca Parmitano (@astro_luca) 19 août 2019

Source:
NASA. 2019. ISS Daily Summary Report - 8/14/2019
NASA. 2019. ISS Daily Summary Report - 8/13/2019

About Hexoskin
Since 2006, Hexoskin’s mission is to develop sensors and health data infrastructure to generate clinical grade real-world evidence. The Astroskin demonstrates once again Hexoskin’s leadership in providing the industry leading sensors, software, and AI to push further our understanding of human physiology on earth and in space.

Government of Canada confirmed Canada's commitment to Nasa Lunar Gateway program

The government of Canada confirmed today, Thursday, February 28, 2019, Canada's commitment to the Lunar Gateway space mission led by the United States, to give Canada's space program a new momentum. The Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau announced historic investments in Canada’s space program. The Government of Canada will invest $2.05 billion over 24 years for Canada's space program. It will help grow innovative Canadian companies of all sizes by supporting the development of new digital and artificial intelligence-based technologies, and by opening new markets for Canadian businesses (Prime Minister's Office).

This investment will also give Canadian astronauts the opportunity to participate in missions to space and our scientists a chance to conduct cutting-edge research that cannot be done on Earth.

At Hexoskin, since we started working with Canadian Space Agency in 2011, we designed medical monitoring systems with the goal of fulfilling the autonomy requirements of future missions to the Moon and Mars. The spillover effects of space exploration projects are applicable beyond human spaceflight and find applications on earth that benefit humanity.

The technologies we're developing will allow a greater number of people to access regular care, especially patients with chronic cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The software being developed for medical autonomous systems has the potential to deliver automated health services, affordable and accessible 24/7.

After today's announcement, we hope that Hexoskin will be able to contribute to future missions to the Moon, by supplying innovative medical technologies for crew members taking the trip.

Deployment of the Bio-Monitor in Space by Canadian Space Agency Astronaut David Saint-Jacques (CSA)

This week, Canadian Space Agency Astronaut David Saint-Jacques deployed and tested for the first time in space a new Canadian technology: the Bio-Monitor System.

This advanced smart shirt is designed to measure and record vital signs in microgravity environment. It will help keep an eye on astronauts' health and enable medical research in space by continuously measuring physiological data.

The Canadian Space Agency's Bio-Monitor is designed to easily send information to the ground, where scientists can monitor astronauts' physiology around the clock as they orbit the planet. Once operational it will be available for the next five years to all participating countries to the International Space Station.

To learn more: http://asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/missions/expedition58/default.asp.
Photo: CSA/NASA

Live Webcast - Join Us for the Bio-Monitor (Astroskin) launch to Space on December 4th!

We are happy to invite you to our live webcast on December 4th, that will broadcast the Astroskin launch to Space aboard Space X Dragon Cargo vehicle. Before the launch, Hexoskin's co-founders will discuss the history of the development of the Bio-Monitor system as well as a few case applications in Space and on Earth.

The Astroskin system is based on the Bio-Monitor designed for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to monitor the astronauts’ health in space on the International Space Station (ISS). It will be operational in space and available for all ISS participating countries to conduct space research for the next five years.
 
LIVE WEBCAST:
Astroskin Launch to the ISS aboard SpaceX Dragon Cargo
December 4, 2018, at 1:25 PM (EST)** - via the Zoom Video Conferencing software
** In case of postponement of the launch, you will receive a notification
with a new broadcast schedule.

Speakers: 
- Pierre-Alexandre Fournier, CEO & Co-Founder, Hexoskin
- Jean-François Roy, CTO & Co-Founder, Hexoskin 

Guest Speaker: 
- Professor Richard L. Hughson Ph.D., University of Waterloo

If you are unable to attend, you can still register and we will send you the recorded webcast by email afterward. 

We look forward to your presence for this special event!

About Hexoskin
Since 2006, Hexoskin’s mission is to develop sensors and health data infrastructure to generate clinical grade real-world evidence. The Astroskin demonstrates once again Hexoskin’s leadership in providing the industry leading sensors, software, and AI to push further our understanding of human physiology on earth and in space.

Contact our team to order Astroskin

The Bio-Monitor to launch to the International Space Station

The Bio-Monitor, designed by Hexoskin for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to monitor the Astronauts' Health in Space aboard the International Space Station (ISS) is finally launching to Space! The Bio-Monitor System is scheduled to launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft on December 4, 2018, at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

David Saint-Jacques will be the next Canadian astronaut to live in the ISS. His first mission to the ISS is scheduled to launch on December 3, 2018. David Saint-Jacques will be conducting tests and experiments with the Bio-Monitor platform.

Last week, the Canadian Space Agency announced the award of an additional contract to Carré Technologies (Hexoskin). The Hexoskin team is excited to continue an adventure that started in 2011 with the Canadian Space Agency and wishes the best of luck the astronaut David Saint-Jacques for his mission.

Learn more at:
http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/sciences/bio-monitor.asp

About Hexoskin:
Founded in 2006 in Montreal, Carré Technologies Inc. (Hexoskin) is involved in the development of non-invasive sensors, software & applications, data science & AI services. Hexoskin’s mission is to record and organize personal health information and make it accessible and useful.

Hexoskin’s provide solutions and services directly to customers & athletes; and through B2B contracts in security, defense & aerospace agencies, pharmaceutical companies, academics, and healthcare organizations. 

Hexoskin obtained its first contract from the Canadian Space Agency in October 2011. The Bio-Monitor demonstrates once again Hexoskin’s leadership in providing industry-leading sensors, software, and AI to push further our understanding of human physiology on earth and in space.  

In September 2018, Hexoskin launched the Astroskin Research Platform to support various projects and health research on earth. The Astroskin is based on the Bio-Monitor and is further adapted to be used on earth. Astroskin offers an end-to-end platform to collect real-world evidence with space-grade garments that include sensors embedded in the fabric such as a 3-lead electrocardiogram, breathing sensors, pulse oximeter, blood pressure, skin temperature, and activity sensors.

Contact us to order Astroskin for your project.