Page 148 - International Space Station Benefits for Humanity, 3rd edition.

B4H 3rd Edition

Pioneering research in orbit
The Hottest New is opening new avenues to
Technology:
Cold Plasma understanding what goes wrong in
Technical know-how gained patients with airway inflammation.
Scientific
Economic
during International Space Station research in the
Valuation
Valuation
field of cold plasmas has led to the creation of three
companies: terraplasma (active in hygiene, medicine,
water purification, odor control); terraplasma
SCIENTIFIC
ECONOMIC
emission control (active in car exhaust technology); of air, our bodies absorb oxygen and exhale waste
VALUATION
VALUATION
and terraplasma medical (active in wound and skin products. In people with asthma, inflammation in the
disease treatment). Terraplasma holds three patents lung adds nitric oxide to exhaled air. Doctors measure
the amount of nitric oxide exhaled by patients to help
for cold plasma-based dental applications, odor diagnose inflamed lungs and asthma.
removal, and homogenous plasma production.
In addition, terraplasma is the exclusive licensee Astronauts on the ISS have been breathing for the
of seven patent families from the Max Planck sake of science as part of ESA-sponsored research.
Society. Following clinical validation, SteriPlas— Under the scientific lead of Lars Karlsson from the
a small ergonometric hospital treatment device for
wound management—is planned for commercial
release in fall 2018. Additional products in
development include Plasma Care—a miniaturized
Human
Earth Observation
wound treatment device that can create plasma Innovative Global Economic
and Disaster
Health
from ambient air without using a gas tank. Technology Education Development
Response of Space

This technology might one day make it into our homes.
In space, it can provide huge benefits for astronaut
health such as treating skin ailments, or for hygiene
and the purification of water.
The percentage of people affected by chronic wounds
is rising, especially among the ageing population.
A start-up company, terraplasma medical GmbH,
is now focused on developing a small ergonometric
hospital treatment device for chronic wounds.
The first cold plasma devices will be available
by the end of 2018 to hospitals worldwide.

Understanding Asthma from Space
Help may be on the way for the millions of people
around the world who suffer from asthma. Pioneering
research in orbit is opening new avenues to under- Former European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut
standing what goes wrong in patients with airway Thomas Reiter undertakes science activities for
inflammation. The results have contributed to the the Nitric Oxide Analyzer experiment in 2006.
development of quick lung tests for an improved quality Image credit: ESA
of life—both on Earth and in space. With each lungful

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