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.

CSA astronaut David Saint-Jacques explains how the Astroskin / Bio-Monitor Smart Shirt keeps an eye on astronauts’ vital signs.

This week, Canadian Space Agency astronaut David Saint-Jacques is finalizing the setup of the Bio-Monitor, on the International Space Station!

This advanced smart shirt & health platform 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 visit the Astroskin page.

Source: Video - CSA/NASA

About Astroskin:
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.

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.

Astroskin Now Available - Pushes the Boundaries
 of Health Research on Earth and in Space!

It is with a lot of excitement that Hexoskin announces today the availability of the Astroskin, a space-grade smart garment aiming to revolutionize the collection of real-world evidence for healthcare research on Earth and in Space!

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). The CSA’s Bio-Monitor will be operational in space and available for all ISS participating countries to conduct space research for the next five years. It is scheduled to launch in space on December 4, 2018, aboard SpaceX’s Dragon cargo vehicle from Florida.

Aerospace, Security & Defense, Academic, Pharmaceuticals and Health Research organizations can now order the Astroskin system for their projects.

The Astroskin smart garments are available in a wide range of sizes for men & women. The machine-washable garments include state-of-the-art monitoring of blood pressure, pulse oximetry, 3-lead ECG, respiration, skin temperature, and activity sensors for 48 hours of continuous real-time monitoring. The end-to-end system includes iOS apps for iPhones & iPads, data synchronization software, and a web dashboard. Hexoskin provides custom software, data hosting, data science & AI services to suit the most stringent requirements of any organization. 

Download Astroskin Product Specifications

HEXOSKIN PRESENTS
ASTROSKIN / BIO-MONTOR

«This system, which includes a smart shirt and dedicated tablet application, will help keep an eye on astronauts' health and enable new science by continuously measuring physiological data. [...] The system is designed to easily send information to the ground, where scientists can monitor the astronauts' health around the clock as they orbit the planet». (Canadian Space Agency. 2018)

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

Hexoskin on CTV News

Hexoskin Lands $2.4M Space Medicine Contract

Montreal, Canada – October 21, 2016 – The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is awarding a new contract to Carré Technologies (Hexoskin) to continue advancing technology on Astroskin, an innovative bio-monitoring system for use aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The announcement will be made today at the company's headquarters in Montreal by the honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport of Canada and first Canadian in space, and Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques.

Consisting of a “smart shirt” and remote health monitoring software, Astroskin will collect valuable scientific data on astronauts’ vital signs, sleep quality and activity levels during their missions. CSA Astronaut David Saint-Jacques will test Astroskin during his six-month mission aboard the ISS in 2018-2019.

You can watch the press conference live on Facebook:

English : https://www.facebook.com/canadianspaceagency

Français : https://www.facebook.com/agencespatialecanadienne

Quotes

“Astroskin is a perfect example of how our government works with small, innovative, Canadian businesses on space technologies that lead to commercial versions for use by Canadians.”

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

“Astroskin may have many applications on Earth, such as medical monitoring of those confined to their homes by illness, people living in remote areas with limited medical access, and those working in hazardous environments. It is another in a long list of space technologies brought down to Earth for all of us.”

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport 

“Our team is proud of the role we are playing to support human space travel. One day, thousands of space travelers bound for Mars will need simple reliable medical systems to ensure their health. Deploying our wearable sensors and software to the ISS is significant as this represents the ultimate remote patient monitoring scenario. The findings from tracking the health of astronauts will be used to make our healthcare system more accessible and support new home care and telemedicine services.”

Pierre-Alexandre Fournier, CEO and co-founder, Carré Technologies (Hexoskin)

About Hexoskin
Hexoskin is the world leader in smart clothing for health monitoring. Hexoskin smart shirts are used by space and defense agencies, sports scientists, and thousands of health professionals and health researchers all over the world. The Hexoskin connected platform provides a new, convenient way to understand human health in real-life environments. For more information, visit www.hexoskin.com and @Hexoskin on Twitter.

Press Kit

Backgrounder - Web page - Infographic - B-roll