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Optimizing Medical Kits for SpaceflightThe Integrated Medical Model (IMM) is a probabilistic model that estimates medical event occurrences and mission outcomes for different mission profiles. IMM simulation outcomes describing the impact of medical events on the mission may be used to optimize the allocation of resources in medical kits. Efficient allocation of medical resources, subject to certain mass and volume constraints, is crucial to ensuring the best outcomes of in-flight medical events. We implement a new approach to this medical kit optimization problem. METHODS We frame medical kit optimization as a modified knapsack problem and implement an algorithm utilizing a dynamic programming technique. Using this algorithm, optimized medical kits were generated for 3 different mission scenarios with the goal of minimizing the probability of evacuation and maximizing the Crew Health Index (CHI) for each mission subject to mass and volume constraints. Simulation outcomes using these kits were also compared to outcomes using kits optimized..RESULTS The optimized medical kits generated by the algorithm described here resulted in predicted mission outcomes more closely approached the unlimited-resource scenario for Crew Health Index (CHI) than the implementation in under all optimization priorities. Furthermore, the approach described here improves upon in reducing evacuation when the optimization priority is minimizing the probability of evacuation. CONCLUSIONS This algorithm provides an efficient, effective means to objectively allocate medical resources for spaceflight missions using the Integrated Medical Model.
Document ID
20140008547
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Keenan, A. B,
(Wyle Integrated Science and Engineering Group Houston, TX, United States)
Foy, Millennia
(Wyle Integrated Science and Engineering Group Houston, TX, United States)
Myers, G.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
June 27, 2014
Publication Date
February 12, 2014
Subject Category
Aerospace Medicine
Systems Analysis And Operations Research
Report/Patent Number
GRC-E-DAA-TN13150
Meeting Information
Meeting: 2014 NASA Human Research Program Investigators'' Workshop (HRP 2014)
Location: Galveston, Texas
Country: United States
Start Date: February 12, 2014
End Date: February 13, 2014
Sponsors: NASA Johnson Space Center, Universities Space Research Association, National Space Biomedical Research Inst.
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS9-02078
WBS: WBS 444543.02.02.10
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
Optimization
Resource Utilization
Monte Carlo Method
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