Development and validation of an electrically controlled rotatory chair to be used as a simulator for spatial disorientation and motion sickness

Author

Russomano, T. ; de Azevedo, D.F.G. ; Piedade, L. ; Glock, F.S. ; Telló, M. ; dos Santos, M.A. ; Falcão, F.P. ; Giongo, J.L.

Author_Institution

Microgravity Lab., Pontifical Catholic Univ., Porto Alegre, Brazil

Volume

4

fYear

2003

fDate

17-21 Sept. 2003

Firstpage

3306

Abstract

The vestibular system, along with the eyes and proprioceptors, is responsible for the maintenance of balance. Two very common causes of accidents and incidents during flights and space missions are spatial disorientation and motion sickness. Since its invention by the physiologist Robert Barany, rotatory chairs have been widely used to train pilots and astronauts in relation to the effects of angular accelerations and microgravity on the semicircular canals. This paper presents the development of an electrically controlled rotatory chair (ECRC), the unique device of this type used as a simulator for spatial disorientation and motion sickness in Brazil. Validation of the ECRC was performed through the evaluation of the effects of a drug (scopolamine) on the prevention of signs and symptoms of motion sickness.

Keywords

biomedical equipment; drugs; electric control equipment; eye; mechanoception; zero gravity experiments; angular acceleration; balance; drug; electrically controlled rotatory chair; eyes; microgravity; motion sickness; proprioceptors; scopolamine; simulator; space missions; spatial disorientation; vestibular system; Acceleration; Air accidents; Aircraft; Drugs; Ear; Eyes; Irrigation; Motion control; Space missions; Space vehicles;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2003. Proceedings of the 25th Annual International Conference of the IEEE

ISSN

1094-687X

Print_ISBN

0-7803-7789-3

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/IEMBS.2003.1280851

Filename

1280851