NASA is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of human health, both on Earth and in space. What began as a quest to monitor astronaut health during long-duration spaceflights is now poised to make a groundbreaking impact on heart failure management here on Earth. A NASA-developed, battery-free sensor, originally designed to track astronaut heart health, is being transformed into a life-saving medical device for patients with heart failure. The new technology, scheduled for commercial release by late 2024, promises to revolutionize patient care by enabling remote health monitoring and early detection of heart issues, reducing hospitalizations, and improving quality of life.
Over 20 years ago, NASA inventors Dr. Rainee Simons and Dr. Félix Miranda at the Glenn Research Center in Cleveland began developing an innovative bio-implantable sensor that uses radio frequency technology to monitor vital health metrics. Originally intended for space missions, this sensor is now at the heart of a new device designed to track heart health without the need for invasive surgery. The sensor, which is implanted near the heart or aorta, transmits health data wirelessly to a handheld device, allowing patients and doctors to stay informed of their health status in real time.
“No major surgery is needed,” said Dr. Simons. “The device is inserted much like a stent, making it accessible for heart patients on Earth as easily as astronauts in space.” The external handheld monitor is simple for patients to operate, offering them a new level of control over their heart health.
Following NASA’s patenting of the technology, Dr. Anthony Nunez, a heart surgeon, and Harry Rowland, a mechanical engineer, licensed the device and launched the company Endotronix, which is now a part of Edwards Lifesciences. Their flagship product, the Cordella Pulmonary Artery (PA) Sensor System, is based on this NASA technology. This system gives clinicians real-time data on patients’ heart health, allowing for more proactive care and reducing the likelihood of emergency hospital visits.
After several successful clinical trials, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted premarket approval for the Cordella PA Sensor System in June 2024, making it one of the most advanced tools for managing heart failure remotely. “It’s incredible to see how NASA’s technology can change lives on Earth,” said Dr. Miranda. “This innovation is not just for astronauts anymore—it’s for millions of heart patients worldwide.”
As the healthcare landscape evolves with digital innovations, the Cordella PA Sensor System stands at the forefront of a future where early detection and continuous monitoring can save lives.
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