Space biology initiative program definition review. Trade study 6: Space Station Freedom/spacelab modules compatibility

The differences in rack requirements for Spacelab, the Shuttle Orbiter, and the United States (U.S.) laboratory module, European Space Agency (ESA) Columbus module, and the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) of Space Station Freedom are identified. The feasibility of designing standardized mechanical, structural, electrical, data, video, thermal, and fluid interfaces to allow space flight hardware designed for use in the U.S. laboratory module to be used in other locations is assessed

Space biology initiative program definition review. Trade study 3: Hardware miniaturization versus cost

The optimum hardware miniaturization level with the lowest cost impact for space biology hardware was determined. Space biology hardware and/or components/subassemblies/assemblies which are the most likely candidates for application of miniaturization are to be defined and relative cost impacts of such miniaturization are to be analyzed. A mathematical or statistical analysis method with the capability to support development of parametric cost analysis impacts for levels of production design miniaturization are provided

Space biology initiative program definition review. Trade study 4: Design modularity and commonality

The relative cost impacts (up or down) of developing Space Biology hardware using design modularity and commonality is studied. Recommendations for how the hardware development should be accomplished to meet optimum design modularity requirements for Life Science investigation hardware will be provided. In addition, the relative cost impacts of implementing commonality of hardware for all Space Biology hardware are defined. Cost analysis and supporting recommendations for levels of modularity and commonality are presented. A mathematical or statistical cost analysis method with the capability to support development of production design modularity and commonality impacts to parametric cost analysis is provided

Prospective, randomized evaluation of thrombectomy prior to percutaneous intervention in diseased saphenous vein grafts and thrombus-containing coronary arteries.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine whether routine thrombectomy prior to stent implantation in diseased saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) and thrombus-containing native coronary arteries would reduce peri-procedural myonecrosis and subsequently enhance event-free survival. BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention in diseased SVGs and thrombotic native coronary arteries is complicated by a high rate of peri-procedural myocardial infarction (MI). Thrombectomy prior to intervention may enhance the safety of intervention and improve early and late outcomes in these high-risk patients. METHODS: At 60 centers in the U.S. and Canada, 797 patients with 839 diseased SVGs or thrombus-containing native coronary arteries were prospectively randomized to stent implantation with versus without prior thrombectomy with the X-SIZER device (ev3, Plymouth, Minnesota). RESULTS: Peri-procedural MI occurred in 15.8% of patients assigned to the X-SIZER device compared with 16.6% of control patients (p = 0.77), although the rate of large MI (pre-specified as the development of new pathologic Q waves or creatine phosphokinase-MB isoenzyme elevation \u3e8 x upper limits of normal) was reduced with X-SIZER device use from 9.6% to 5.5% (multivariate risk ratio 0.35 [95% confidence interval 0.18 to 0.66], p = 0.002). Major adverse cardiac events (cardiac death, MI, or repeat target vessel revascularization) occurred in 16.8% of X-SIZER patients versus 17.1% of control patients at 30 days (p = 0.92), and in 31.3% of X-SIZER patients versus 28.2% of control patients at 1 year (p = 0.35). CONCLUSIONS: Thrombectomy with the X-SIZER device prior to stent implantation in high-risk diseased SVGs and thrombus-containing native coronary arteries may reduce the extent, but not the occurrence, of myonecrosis. Early and late event-free survival, however, were not improved by routine thrombectomy with this device