Dr. Babs Soller is developing a needle-free sensor system that will measure blood and tissue chemistry with no need for drawing blood or incisions.
Photo courtesy of L. Barry Hetherington for the NSBRI.
Dr. Babs Soller, of the University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, leads the Smart Medical Systems Team for the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI). Dr. Soller has been developing a needle-free system to monitor blood and tissue chemistry. The system is based on the ability of near-infrared light to penetrate skin—regardless of skin color—fat and muscle. A small unit placed on the skin emits near infrared light into the body. Some of this light then reflects back and is measured by the device. The amount of light returning indicates blood and tissue chemistry. Astronauts could use the device to measure their metabolic rate, in real time, while on space walks or during other mission activities. A metabolic rate that is too high could indicate the need for an astronaut to reduce his or her activity level, thereby prolonging the space suit's oxygen supply.
This needle-free system monitoring system has potential applications for patients on Earth as well. For instance, it could provide a simple way to detect internal bleeding and help patients with fragile veins.
The sensor developed by Dr. Soller uses near-infrared light to penetrate directly into muscles. Learn about muscle structure with this classroom activity.
Dr. Soller believes that noninvasive measurement of metabolic rate will provide instant, useful feedback for astronauts as they strive to maintain metabolic efficiency in space and on the Moon. In this activity, students measure and record their heart and breathing rates before and after physical activity.
Additional Activities/Extensions
Demonstrate how light can penetrate skin by looking at the back of your hand while pressing a strong flashlight against your palm. Do this in a darkened room. Blood vessels and bones in the fingers will be revealed. Discuss how near-infrared light penetrates skin, fat and muscles. Explain that the reflection of near-infrared light can be interpreted to reveal oxygen content and ph levels in muscles.
Listen to Dr. Stoller's description of how light is absorbed by the body. Compare this process to the absorption of light in the atmosphere. Consider, for example, how blue light is scattered by the atmosphere (causing the sky to appear blue), while light on the red end of the visible spectrum has greater depth penetration. Normally, white sunlight appears red when the sun is low on the horizon (the blue end of the visible spectrum is filtered out by the greater depth of atmosphere the sunlight has to penetrate).
In a darkened room, experiment with different colored LEDs (light emitting diodes) to determine which colors better penetrate the skin. Various colors of LED lights are available for key chains and small flashlights. Use only one LED light at a time to compare the level of skin penetration of different colors.
News release from the National Space Biomedical Research Institute describing Dr. Soller's work on non-invasive blood and tissue chemistry measurements.
NASA maintains annual reports on the progress of its various human research programs. This reports explains the noninvasive measurement of blood and tissue chemistry.
Additional information about Dr. Soller's non-invasive technique for monitoring blood oxygen.
National Science Standards
K-4 Standards
Science as Inquiry – Abilities to do scientific inquiry
Ask a question about objects, organisms, and events in the environment.
Life Science – The characteristics of organisms
The behavior of individual organisms is influenced by internal cues and by external cues.
Life Science – Organisms and their environments
An organism's patterns of behavior are related to the nature of that organism's environment.
5-8 Standards
Science as Inquiry – Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations.
Life Science – Regulation and behavior
All organisms must be able to obtain and use resources, grow, reproduce, and maintain stable internal conditions while living in a constantly changing external environment.
Regulation of an organism's internal environment involves sensing the internal environment and changing physiological activities to keep conditions within the range required to survive.
9-12 Standards
Science as Inquiry – Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations.
Physical Science – Interactions of energy and matter
Waves, including sound and seismic waves, waves on water, and light waves, have energy and can transfer energy when they interact with matter.
Life Science – The cell
Most cell functions involve chemical reactions.
Science and Technology – Understandings about science and technology
Science often advances with the introduction of new technologies.
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