Medical Applications of Aerospace Technology

Biomedical Application Teams are funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for the purpose of applying aerospace technology to the solution of significant problems in biomedical research and clinical medicine. The Team at Stanford University Medical School is part of the Division of Cardiology and participates in all phases of the technology transfer process including: identification of significant biomedical problems, matching them with appropriate aerospace solutions, testing the new technology in the laboratory and clinical environment and finally, being the link to the medical device industry for commercially producing the technology. The underlying philosophy and general approach by which aerospace engineering and scientific expertise can be used to solve biomedical instrumentation problems is discussed. The methods by which the Teams accelerate the diffusion of new technology from aerospacerelated research to medical applications are reviewed. Specific examples of successful transfers are presented to illustrate the many phases of the technology transfer process and the need for a multidisciplinary, team approach. Innovative technology derived from aerospace-related research is providing the physician with new and better instrumentation for medical research and patient care