IV Fluid Generation
The Challenge:
Expiration dates of commercially available IV fluids are shorter than the anticipated duration of a Mars surface mission, and the volume of IV fluid needed to meet possible medical needs may be limited by
mass and volume constraints.
Technology Development:
Production of medical grade IV fluids from the potable water supply of an exploration vehicle or habitat would reduce medical risk and the mass and volume footprint of the medical system. In 2010, the Exploration Medical Capability Element of NASA’s Human Research Program funded the Intravenous Fluid Generation (IVGEN) International Space Station flight demonstration that produced two 1.5 L bags of sterile IV fluids from vehicle potable water. NASA’s Exploration Medical Integrated Product Team (XMIPT) is funding the IVGen Mini project to
miniaturize the original IVGEN design and increase the technology readiness level (TRL) of the system through a successful upcoming International Space Station (ISS) flight demonstration.
The IVGen Mini design builds upon the success and lessons learned of the original IVGEN project. The design features an inlet port for vehicle potable water which is provided by the Potable Water Bag. The water is pumped through the Fluid Generation Module via electrically driven peristaltic pumps. the electrically driven peristaltic pump located externally on the Fluid Generation Module. Fluid then travels through the Filter Box Assembly which is stacked on top of the FGM. The Filter Box Assembly provides deionization and filtration to remove bacteria, endotoxins, air, total organic carbons (TOCs), and sterilize the solution. The final produce is collected in a sterile 1.0 L bag containing a premeasured amount of sodium chloride to passively make 0.9% concentrated saline solution. Compared to the original IVGEN, the current design reduces system mass and volume, eliminates the need for gaseous nitrogen, a pressure chamber or a dedicated mixing mechanism, increases fluid volume produced, enables portability, and allows rapid changeout of system consumables (i.e. Potable Water Bag and Filter Box Assembly). The IV Fluid produced will be tested for comparison to US Pharmacopeia standards.
Technical Data:
Techport
IntraVenous Fluid GENeration for Exploration Missions Mini (IVGEN Mini) (IVGEN Mini)
AsMA presentation
