It's a new non-invasive heart monitor and it was originally used by NASA to monitor astronauts' health while they were in space. But now, it's being brought back to Earth to serve another purpose.
It's called the Bio-Z impedance cardiogram. It gives doctors the ability to pump blood and the amount of fluid in the chest.
After monitoring the patient's condition, test results are printed out in about five minutes.
One cardiologist says the cardiogram is being used in doctor's offices and benefits two types of patients with congestive heart failure to help assess the amount of water medicine that the patient needs while evaluating how well and how much blood is pumping out.
The cardiogram works by using dual sensors that are placed on the patient's neck and chest. A small electrical signal is sent to through the chest and measures the resistance to the signal. In minutes, 12 parts of the heart are analyzed.
The procedure avoids those that involve incisions in the neck.
The Bio-Z is also relatively inexpensive and can be done on a routine basis.
An added bonus-- in most cases, insurance covers the Bio-Z test.