We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Novel App Measures BP without Accessories

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 18 Sep 2018
Print article
Image: An innovative oscillometric method can measure BP on a cell phone (Photo courtesy of MSU).
Image: An innovative oscillometric method can measure BP on a cell phone (Photo courtesy of MSU).
A new study describes how oscillometric finger pressing (colloquially known as “Peek and Pop”) can provide accurate blood pressure (BP) readings on an iPhone, with no special equipment.

Developed at Michigan State University (MSU; East Lansing, USA), the new application, designed for the iPhone X, visually guides fingertip placement and actuation on both the front camera and screen in order to artificially increase the external pressure of the underlying transverse palmer arch artery. The app then measures both variable-amplitude blood volume oscillations via the camera, and applied pressure via the strain gauge array under the screen to compute BP from the measurements, similar to automatic cuff devices.

In a proof of concept test conducted in 18 volunteers, against both a finger cuff BP and a standard cuff device, the app yielded bias and precision errors of -4.0 and 11.4 mmHg for systolic BP, and -9.4 and 9.7 mmHg for diastolic BP, respectively; the errors were closer to the finger cuff device errors. According to the researchers, the study indicates that cuff-less and calibration-free BP monitoring may be feasible with many existing and forthcoming smartphones. The study was published on September 3, 2018, in Scientific Reports.

“By leveraging optical and force sensors already in smartphones for taking selfies and employing ‘peek and pop’, we've invented a practical tool to keep tabs on blood pressure,” said lead author Professor Ramakrishna Mukkamala, PhD, of the MSU electrical and computer engineering department. “Such ubiquitous blood pressure monitoring may improve hypertension awareness and control rates, and thereby help reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease and mortality.”

The oscillometric method of measuring blood pressure involves occluding a major artery, typically the brachial artery in the arm with an external pneumatic cuff. When the pressure in the cuff is higher than the blood pressure inside the artery, the artery collapses. As the pressure in the external cuff is slowly decreased, blood begins to spurt through the artery, causing the famous Korotkoff sounds. The pressure measured in the cuff region when blood first passes through is an estimate of systolic pressure. The pressure measured when blood first starts to flow continuously is an estimate of diastolic pressure.

Related Links:
Michigan State University

Gold Member
POC Blood Gas Analyzer
Stat Profile Prime Plus
Gold Member
SARS‑CoV‑2/Flu A/Flu B/RSV Sample-To-Answer Test
SARS‑CoV‑2/Flu A/Flu B/RSV Cartridge (CE-IVD)
Silver Member
Wireless Mobile ECG Recorder
NR-1207-3/NR-1207-E
New
Electrosurgical Unit
es 120

Print article

Channels

Critical Care

view channel
Image: Researchers have developed a novel risk score for cardiovascular complications after bone marrow transplant (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Novel Tool Predicts Cardiovascular Risks after Bone Marrow Transplantation

Every year, thousands of people undergo bone marrow transplants to potentially cure serious diseases like leukemia, lymphoma, and immune deficiency disorders. While these transplants can be lifesaving,... Read more

Surgical Techniques

view channel
Image: The Early Bird Bleed Monitoring System provides visual and audible indicators of the onset and progression of bleeding events (Photo courtesy of Saranas)

Novel Technology Monitors and Lowers Bleeding Complications in Patients Undergoing Heart Procedures

Bleeding complications at the femoral access site can significantly hamper recovery, affecting the success of procedures, patient satisfaction, and overall healthcare costs. It is crucial for surgeons... Read more

Patient Care

view channel
Image: The newly-launched solution can transform operating room scheduling and boost utilization rates (Photo courtesy of Fujitsu)

Surgical Capacity Optimization Solution Helps Hospitals Boost OR Utilization

An innovative solution has the capability to transform surgical capacity utilization by targeting the root cause of surgical block time inefficiencies. Fujitsu Limited’s (Tokyo, Japan) Surgical Capacity... Read more

Point of Care

view channel
Image: The new eye-safe laser technology can diagnose traumatic brain injury (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Novel Diagnostic Hand-Held Device Detects Known Biomarkers for Traumatic Brain Injury

The growing need for prompt and efficient diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a major cause of mortality globally, has spurred the development of innovative diagnostic technologies.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.