From theory to reality
The history of Marodyne LiV is truly fascinating, involving astronauts, some of the world’s leading scientists and over $70m dollars of investment.
Do astronauts develop osteoporosis?
Floating in space, astronauts are freed from the forces of gravity that keep us rooted to the earth. The ability to float freely comes at a cost – the health of their bones.
In space, astronauts experience bone atrophy and declining bone mineral density, caused by not being able to load their bones as gravity is not present. This lack of gravity results in the loss of bone mineral density, similar to that experienced by those with osteoporosis.
Astronauts can lose up 20% of bone mass or bone mineral density a year – equivalent to 10 times that in a case of pronounced, untreated osteoporosis. In comparison, a woman affected by osteoporosis who remains untreated, will lose just 1.5% of their bone mass in a year.
These problems first arose in the eighties as NASA began planning for longer missions to the International Space Station and, eventually, to Mars. NASA supported the development of this vibration treatment as astronauts get osteoporosis.
They challenged leading scientists to develop a non-invasive, drug-free way to stabilise the bones of their astronauts. Money was no object.
Professor Clinton Rubin led the NASA Vibe Project – officially entitled A Low Intensity Mechanical Countermeasure to Prohibit Osteoporosis in Astronauts During Long-Term Spaceflight » NASA.
Professor Rubin and colleagues began to research the cellular effects and mechanisms of zero gravity. The idea was to identify new ways to maintain bone substance and ensure mobility, muscle strength and balance while in space.
Over many years, the team developed the concept of low-intensity and low-load stimulation. The research team refined the concept through years of testing, developing a fully functioning and highly effective Low-intensity Vibration platform.
These specific, low intensity stimuli activate the body’s cells and thus contribute to maintaining and building up bones and muscles.
Vibration treatment using Marodyne LiV
It soon became apparent to Professor Rubin that Low-intensity Vibration could also hold specific benefits for those people who suffer from poor bone health – including patients with osteoporosis.
The technology, methods and associated medical results, once developed for astronauts, were increasingly refined and repeatedly subjected to new studies. Over 20 years scientists across the world have reviewed, revised and refined Low-intensity Vibration.
Today, all of that science, research and innovation is available at your feet. Marodyne LiV is the world first, and only, medically approved device that’s proven to treat osteoporosis.