Zymed to Conduct Health Tests Aboard Space Station

Zymed Inc. in Camarillo says its electrocardiograph system will be installed on the International Space Station, which is being built by a 16-nation cooperative led by the United States.

The EASI EKG Lead system, along with other monitors, will keep track of the cardiovascular health of long-term residents aboard the space station as it orbits Earth.

The EKG system is part of a cardiac testing program that includes a treadmill, electrocardiogram monitor and blood pressure monitor. The equipment will be delivered to the space station aboard the Space Shuttle in a resupply mission scheduled in the fall.

All U.S. crew members will undergo a monthly fitness evaluation that includes using the Zymed system to monitor the prolonged effects of zero gravity on cardiovascular health.

“We are proud to serve aboard the most ambitious space exploration program in history,” said Zymed President Gary Hutchinson. “The EASI system will help ensure the health and safety of the men and women living aboard the station, as well as contribute to our knowledge about the impact of weightlessness on the cardiovascular system.”

Hutchinson said he hopes information gleaned from the space station will lead to the development of new cardiovascular technologies and therapies for use on Earth.

When completed in 2004, the space station will accommodate up to seven people for extended stays.