NASA plans to send a manned mission to Mars before 2030. To do this, NASA needs to ensure that the crew can remain healthy throughout the long voyage. We know that humans experience extensive bone loss from being in microgravity situations. This bone loss, along with other physiological changes, raise the risk of bone fractures and pose serious questions the body's ability to heal them.

On Earth, different types of fractures require different treatment methods. This principle remains true when treating fractures in space. Thus, the Osteonexus is a system of devices that utilizes casting or external fixation in conjunction with ultrasound, electromagnetic fields, or micromovement therapies. This approach highlights HPN's two main objectives: fracture immobilization and healing enhancement. The use of the Osteonexus is guided by a treatment logic chart.

As ultrasound and electromagnetic field devices are commercially available, HPN focused its efforts on designing a micromovement component. This component, named the Osteonexus Active Dynamizer, uses external fixation to secure the fracture and motorized axial dynamization to induce micromovement at the fracture site. The applied micromovement mimics partial load bearing, which has been proven to accelerate fracture healing on Earth. Such a device is necessary as a fracture would jeopardize the life of an astronaut and the objectives of a mission.

We have already developed the first prototype, "Fluffy," and performed extensive testing of the device. This led to the assembly of our second prototype, "Cerberus"!

You can read more about our design and other parts of the project by using the links above. Have any questions? Send an email to hpn@rice.edu or use our Ask the Ninja form!