Researchers have created the first clinically validated wearable ultrasound patch for continuous blood pressure monitoring.
Why it matters: Traditional blood pressure cuffs only provide snapshot measurements, missing critical patterns and fluctuations. This breakthrough enables real-time, continuous monitoring without invasive procedures.
- Hypertension affects millions globally, but current monitoring methods are limited and sometimes unreliable.
Key finding: The postage stamp-sized patch matched the accuracy of both traditional cuffs and invasive arterial lines across 117 test subjects.
“Traditional blood pressure measurements… can miss critical patterns. Our wearable patch offers a continuous stream of blood pressure waveform data, allowing it to reveal detailed trends.”
Sai Zhou, study co-first author, UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering
The process:
- Researchers improved an earlier prototype with tighter sensor spacing and better vibration dampening.
- Tested across diverse scenarios, including daily activities, posture changes, and clinical settings.
- Validated against gold-standard arterial line measurements.
Keep in mind: The technology still needs large-scale clinical trials and wireless capabilities before widespread adoption.
Real-world impact: This device could revolutionize both clinical and at-home cardiovascular monitoring by:
- Replacing invasive arterial lines in hospitals.
- Enabling early detection of cardiovascular issues.
- Improving medication management through continuous monitoring.
TL;DR
- Scientists developed a noninvasive ultrasound patch that continuously monitors blood pressure with clinical-grade accuracy.
- The device underwent comprehensive testing with over 100 patients across various real-world scenarios.
- Next steps include developing a wireless version and integrating machine learning capabilities.
Dive Deeper
Read the Paper: Clinical validation of a wearable ultrasound blood pressure sensor
News Release: Researchers develop clinically validated, wearable ultrasound patch for continuous blood pressure monitoring