There are 2 messages totalling 92 lines in this issue

Topics of the day:

1. NASA SIGNS PATENT LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR ATHEROSCLEROSIS TREATMENT
2. SPACE STATION ASTRONAUT WILL ANSWER VIDEO QUESTIONS FROM PUBLIC

Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2011 13:35:59 -0600 From: info@JSC NASA GOV Subject: NASA SIGNS PATENT LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR ATHEROSCLEROSIS TREATMENT

Dec 2, 2011

Brandi Dean Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-244-1403

Report #JT11-001

NASA SIGNS PATENT LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR ATHEROSCLEROSIS TREATMENT

HOUSTON � NASA has signed a patent license agreement that will allow a California company use of NASA-developed technology that could be used to treat hardened arteries in the heart

In the 1990s, a group of NASA engineers and scientists at Johnson Space Center were looking into the use of millimeter wave electromagnetic energy in an experimental imaging system Doing so required the rental of expensive equipment Although it was determined early on that millimeter wave radiation was not going to be useful for the original imaging application, there was still time left on the rental agreement Rather than waste it, the engineers and scientists began to brainstorm other uses for it

After consulting with a local physician, the group came up with a promising application: atherosclerosis treatment Atherosclerosis occurs when fat and cholesterol build up on the walls of arteries and cause them to harden, making them stiff and blocking blood flow, which can, in turn, cause heart attacks and strokes

The electromagnetic spectrum that the group had been looking at for imaging purposes �W band, to be specific � could also be used in a miniaturized, directional antenna attached to a catheter Inserted into a diseased artery, the millimeter wave transmissions could penetrate the artery wall and restore elasticity to the artery without damaging healthy tissue and cells

�Although it�s a little off the beaten path of NASA�s mission, we really enjoy seeing some of the technology that we develop find humanitarian applications on the ground,� said NASA engineer Dickey Arndt, one of the inventors �We always try to keep in mind possible terrestrial applications for the technologies we�re developing for space exploration �

The technology�s potential for use on Earth caught the attention of Dr Anthony C Dike, president and CEO of Meridian Health Systems,

�Cardiovascular disease has been the leading cause of death in the United States every year since 1918,� Dike said �My company believes that the need has never been greater for a minimal or non-invasive, low-cost tool such as this for the management of individuals at risk for coronary artery disease �

Meridian will conduct clinical trials with a prototype built by NASA scientists and engineers, working toward Food and Drug Administration approval of its use The company also worked with Johnson Space Center through a Space Act Agreement to perform experiments using pig arteries, obtained as by-products from a local slaughterhouse, to compare microwave and millimeter wave band operation and to optimize certain design features such as the antenna size, the transmitted power, and the pulse repetition rate Current NASA employees involved in the project include Arndt, Patrick Fink, Gregory Lin, Andrew Chu and Phong Ngo Other inventors involved include former NASA employee Justin Dobbins; former NASA contractors James Carl, George Raffoul and Reginald Beer; Phillip Henry of the Houston Medical Center; and Antonio Pacifico of Baylor College of Medicine

For more information on how Johnson Space Center technology is being used here on Earth, visit:

http://technology jsc nasa gov

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NASA Johnson Space Center Mission Status Reports and other information are available automatically by sending an Internet electronic mail message to listserv@listserver jsc nasa gov In the body of the message (not the subject line) users should type "subscribe hsfnews" (no quotes) This will add the e-mail address that sent the subscribe message to the news release distribution list The system will reply with a confirmation via e-mail of each subscription Once you have subscribed you will receive future news releases via e-mail To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to listserv@listserver jsc nasa gov with the following command in the body of your e-mail message: "unsubscribe hsfnews" (no quotes) or from another account, besides the account used to subscribe: "unsubscribe hsfnews youremail@yourdomain com" (no quotes)

Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2011 16:55:01 -0600 From: info@JSC NASA GOV Subject: SPACE STATION ASTRONAUT WILL ANSWER VIDEO QUESTIONS FROM PUBLIC

Dec 2, 2011

Amiko Kauderer Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-7674

Michael Curie Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1100

Report #H11-406

SPACE STATION ASTRONAUT WILL ANSWER VIDEO QUESTIONS FROM PUBLIC

HOUSTON -- NASA has announced a unique opportunity to ask the commander of the International Space Station a question about his role on the orbiting outpost Commander Dan Burbank will answer videotaped questions from the public during a live event tentatively set for Friday, Jan 20 on NASA Television

The video questions must be less than 30 seconds Submitters should introduce themselves and mention their location Questions must be posted as responses to a video Burbank recorded on YouTube at:

http://go nasa gov/sDYpzP

Burbank launched to the station on Nov 13 He will conduct a variety of science experiments and perform station maintenance during his nearly six-month stay on the outpost Burbank's life aboard the station in near-weightlessness requires unique approaches to everyday activities such as eating, sleeping and exercising

Burbank will answer questions during the time available In addition to airing live on NASA TV, Burbank's answers will be posted to YouTube To follow Burbank on Twitter, visit:

http://twitter com/AstroCoastie

For more information about the International Space Station, Expedition 30 and the exact time of the event, visit:

http://www nasa gov/station

-end-

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NASA Johnson Space Center Mission Status Reports and other information are available automatically by sending an Internet electronic mail message to listserv@listserver jsc nasa gov In the body of the message (not the subject line) users should type "subscribe hsfnews" (no quotes) This will add the e-mail address that sent the subscribe message to the news release distribution list The system will reply with a confirmation via e-mail of each subscription Once you have subscribed you will receive future news releases via e-mail To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to listserv@listserver jsc nasa gov with the following command in the body of your e-mail message: "unsubscribe hsfnews" (no quotes) or from another account, besides the account used to subscribe: "unsubscribe hsfnews youremail@yourdomain com" (no quotes)

End of HSFNEWS Digest - 29 Nov 2011 to 3 Dec 2011 (#2011-138)

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