New advances in innovative health technology to be tested in space - Monitoring technology can be used for health care on Earth

LONGUEUIL, QC, Oct. 21, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is awarding a new contract to Carré Technologies of Montreal, Quebec, to continue advancing technology on Astroskin, an innovative bio-monitoring system for use aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Consisting of a "smart shirt" and related software, Astroskin will collect valuable scientific data on astronauts' vital signs, sleep quality and activity levels during their missions. Canadian Space Agency Astronaut David Saint-Jacques will test Astroskin during his six-month mission aboard the ISS in 2018-19.

Quotes

"Astroskin is a perfect example of how our government works with small, innovative, Canadian businesses on space technologies that lead to commercial versions for use by Canadians."

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

"Astroskin may have many applications on Earth, such as medical monitoring of those confined to their homes by illness, people living in remote areas with limited medical access, and those working in hazardous environments. It is another in a long list of space technologies brought down to Earth for all of us."

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport

"Our team is proud of the role we are playing to support human space travel. One day, thousands of space travelers bound for Mars will need simple reliable medical systems to ensure their health. Deploying our wearable sensors and software to the ISS is significant as this represents the ultimate remote patient monitoring scenario. The findings from tracking the health of astronauts will be used to make our healthcare system more accessible and support new home care and telemedicine services."

Pierre-Alexandre Fournier, CEO and co-founder, Carré Technologies

Quick Fact

• The maximum value of the current contract for Astroskin is $2.4 million over 18 months.

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SOURCE Canadian Space Agency

Image with caption: "Astroskin - A smart shirt for space (CNW Group/Canadian Space Agency)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161021_C4010_PHOTO_EN_801300.jpg

For further information: Contact information: Canadian Space Agency, Media Relations Office, Telephone: [phone], Email: [email protected] ; Website:http://asc-csa.gc.ca; Carré Technologies, Pierre-Alexandre Fournier, Telephone: [phone], Email: [email protected] ; Website: http://www.hexoskin.com ; Twitter: @Hexoskin