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Publication AbstractsSkin Microvascular Flow During Hypobaric Exposure with and without a Mechanical Counter-Pressure Space Suit GloveKunihiko Tanaka, James Waldie, Gregory C. Steinbach, Paul Webb, Dietmar Tourbier, Jeffrey Knudsen, Christine W. Jarvis, and Alan R. HargensAviat Space Environ Med 2002; 73:1074-8 AbstractIntroduction: Current space suits are rigid, gas-pressurized shells that protect astronauts from the vacuum of space. A tight elastic garment or mechanical-counter-pressure (MCP) suit generates pressure by compression and may have several advantages over current space suit technology. In this study, we investigated local microcirculatory effects produced with and without a prototype MCP glove. Methods: The right hand of eight normal volunteers was studied at normal ambient pressure and during exposure to -50, -100 and -150 mm Hg with and without the MCP glove. Measurements included the pressure against the hand, skin microvascular flow, temperature on the dorsum of the hand, and middle finger girth. Results: Without the glove, skin microvascular flow and finger girth significantly increased with negative pressure, and the skin temperature decreased compared with the control condition. The MCP glove generated approximately 200 mm Hg at the skin surface; all measured values remained at control levels during exposure to negative pressure. Discussion: Without the glove, skin microvascular flow and finger girth increased with negative pressure, probably due to a blood shift toward the hand. The elastic compression of the material of the MCP glove generated pressure on the hand similar to that in current gas-pressurized space suit gloves. The MCP glove prevented the apparent blood shift and thus maintained baseline values of the measured variables despite exposure of the hand to negative pressure.Keywords: extravehicular activity, EVA, elastic suit, hand, negative pressure. Information on subscribing, and on obtaining copies of an article or of an entire issue. Table of Contents for Volume 73, Number 11 of the ASEM journal.
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