Project title: Jugular Vein Pressure Device; Technology Demonstration
Acronym: JVP-D
Type of project: International Project
Role: Contractor
Financing: European Space Agency ESA
Duration: 24.2.2026 – 24.2.2028
Laboratory: Laboratory for Numerical Modelling and Simulation LNMS
Project description:
Long-term exposure to microgravity on the International Space Station (ISS) causes numerous physiological changes in astronauts. One of the more serious, yet still poorly understood risks is the formation of blood clots in deep veins, including the jugular vein. In 2019, jugular vein thrombosis was diagnosed for the first time during an ISS mission — a condition that required medical assistance from Earth. Such thrombosis can be life-threatening, as it may lead to pulmonary embolism or obstruction of venous blood flow from the brain. With planned long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars, where immediate medical assistance from Earth will not be possible, the development of autonomous diagnostic systems for crew health monitoring is becoming increasingly important.
The aim of the Jugular Vein Pressure Device Technology Demonstration (JVP-D) project is to develop a device for non-invasive measurement of jugular vein pressure in microgravity conditions. The goal of the project is to demonstrate that astronauts can perform the measurements independently, without medical assistance from Earth. The device is based on a specially designed 3D-printed attachment mounted on an existing ultrasound system on the ISS, which simultaneously measures the force applied by the probe on the neck and captures an ultrasound image of the vein. The system includes a machine-learning-based program for automatic detection and segmentation of the vessel in real time and for assessing the potential presence of venous thrombosis. Analysis of the relationship between the applied force and the cross-sectional area of the vein enables monitoring of changes in the vein associated with microgravity conditions. The project is funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) and carried out by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ljubljana in consortium with the UK partner Kayser Space Ltd.
