Research institute hopes to send "brain breathalyzer" into space

While it's not nearly exciting as their Space Cycle (but really, what is?), the National Space Biomedical Research Institute's new brain scanner here looks to fill in a niche of its own nonetheless and, if the institute has its way, it could actually find its way into space. Described as a "brain breathalyzer," the device promises to monitor astronauts for signs of brain injury, depression and mental fatigue, which could allow mission control to determine if they're capable of carrying out a mission or not. That's done with the use of an optical scanner that sends weak pulses of near-infrared light into the brain, which gets reflected back to determine the amount of oxygen in the blood. While NASA isn't fully sold on the idea just yet, it apparently is interested enough to shell out $400,000 to further the development of the scanner, which it hopes will also eventually be able to monitor other vital signs like blood pressure and heart rate.

[nxtiak @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:03PM]

Man, that guy is WAY too happy to have that thing on his forehead and holding the box. Maybe that thing is stimulating his libido or something.

[computer.dude.28 @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:31PM]

I don't know, I think it looks more like a "OK, I'll smile for your damn picture but then you gotta get this thing the hell off of me" look.

[rock99rock @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:22PM]

I dont know. Look at his eyes. That there is drugs.

[retro77 @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:05PM]

The picture scares me.

[Wwhat @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:10PM]

So it's the same device that was mentioned earlier to test for alzheimers this time for astronauts, I guess it'll also warn astronauts when they are getting alzheimers too then eh.

[natels @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:15PM]

I am glad they made the adjustment to shrink it to fit on your belt.. Might as well use a backpack.

[jordangroth @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:18PM]

well at least it looks good...

[Johan S @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:21PM]

The day is coming when your clothing and even your toilet will detect all kinds of medical conditions.

Hypochondriacs will pay the R&D costs for first and second gen products.

[computer.dude.28 @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:34PM]

You mean like on The Island when he pisses in the urinal and then he's not allowed to have bacon for some health reason? No.. I don't like it when my urinal decides what food I eat, even if is good for me.

[natels @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:23PM]

ie. Scrubs

[xcrunk @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:26PM]

Someone needs to punch this guy in the balls.

[Robert Lachman @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:28PM]

Donald,
It does look sort of scary. I'm not sure I need a $400,000 device to tell me my brain is fatigued. It happens to me every day. Maybe they could work it into an application for the new 3G iPhone from Apple.
Robert
http://www.photographyandthemac.com

[Forrest @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:46PM]

The problem is once you realize you're fatigued it's already too late. Or in the case of severe oxygen deprivation you may not even realize you're being deprived. For example, those crazy bastards that climb Everest.

I'm sure you get quite fatigued, though, what with your days chock-full of viral marketing for Apple.

[TheGasMan @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:29PM]

Not only did you spam us with your website link, but you also signed your comment. Double kudos to you, sir!

[Robert Lachman @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:32PM]

Sorry about putting the link on comment. Normally I just send it out with my signature. I will send the next comment without it. Also, no signature.

[mrpysnik @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:39PM]

What, no caption contest?!?

[Yoweigh @ Jul 3rd 2008 4:54PM]

Yes please!

[yode @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:44PM]

oh the beatings one would get with one of these

[Dillon @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:40PM]

Now he's a broken robot just like Eeeeeevaaa in Wall-e!

[Nate DiDonato @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:10PM]

He kinda has that sterile look that you get from the animatronic puppets at Chuck E Cheeses.

Or "it's rape time!"

[Graham @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:30PM]

Well now we will know if they astronauts have been drinking or not!
....not like everything they do isnt monitored already

[rav97 @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:04PM]

The upside: if you have a big L tattooed on your forehead, that device covers it completely.

[rav97 @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:06PM]

The upside: if you have a big L tattooed on your forehead, that device covers it completely.

[Richard Lai @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:57PM]

Since a breathalyzer is for testing alcohol in your breathe, I would have thought the brain version is for testing weed in your head.

[Echo1 @ Jul 3rd 2008 11:12PM]

Here is our tax payer dollars going to waste:

"While NASA isn't fully sold on the idea just yet, it apparently is interested enough to shell out $400,000 to further the development of the scanner, which it hopes will also eventually be able to monitor other vital signs like blood pressure and heart rate".

I know a cheaper alternative to spending 400 kilo dollars
Heart rate: a watch with a built in heart rate monitor (~200.00)

Fatigue tester: a good old tell the color of the word (witcj is a name of an other color), cost to print, less than 10.00

[Wwhat @ Jul 4th 2008 3:29AM]

Ironically NASA is forced to fund these kind of things because they might lead to devices that will be used by doctors and they can then claim it's a 'space program spin-off' which will secure future funding for the space program because people will be pleased.
Variation on "you got to spend money to make money".

[Shane @ Jul 3rd 2008 11:20PM]

Anyone that knows any astronauts will tell you that there is a 0% chance the astronaut office will agree to wearing this on mission. Astronauts already hate doctors, psychologists, and any medical sensors that could in any way prevent them from flying or performing a scheduled task. Zero chance.

[Wwhat @ Jul 4th 2008 3:30AM]

Agree? haha.

[breathalyzer @ Jul 8th 2008 12:18PM]

For an alcohol breathalyzer, visit any of these sites

http://www.safety-devices.com
http://www.safetygears.net
http://www.alcotesters.com