Philips Blood Pressure-Sensing Underwear
References: technology.newscientist
Philips wants you to forget about using uncomfortable arm cuffs to monitor your blood pressure, and use their high-tech underwear instead.
Most of us have had our blood pressures monitored, some more often than others due to medical reasons. This is usually done in the doctor's office using a stethoscope and a cuff-pump device, or we've checked it ourselves at the local drugstore. Neither method is convenient nor are they portable. These methods are also not practical if blood pressure readings have to be carried out several times a day.
Philips, the electronics giant has recently filed a patent for blood-pressure sensing underpants which can be calibrated to give accurate readings whenever they are worn. The technology makes use of “pulse wave velocity†- pulse waves generated when the heart pumps which then moves through the blood circulatory system. The researchers have found pulse wave speeds correlate to blood pressure.
The built-in sensors in the waistband of the underpants detect changes in the electrical impedance of the underlying tissue whenever a pulse wave moves through. The speed or velocity of the pulse wave can then be calculated from the time it takes to travel from one sensor to another.
Most of us have had our blood pressures monitored, some more often than others due to medical reasons. This is usually done in the doctor's office using a stethoscope and a cuff-pump device, or we've checked it ourselves at the local drugstore. Neither method is convenient nor are they portable. These methods are also not practical if blood pressure readings have to be carried out several times a day.
Philips, the electronics giant has recently filed a patent for blood-pressure sensing underpants which can be calibrated to give accurate readings whenever they are worn. The technology makes use of “pulse wave velocity†- pulse waves generated when the heart pumps which then moves through the blood circulatory system. The researchers have found pulse wave speeds correlate to blood pressure.
The built-in sensors in the waistband of the underpants detect changes in the electrical impedance of the underlying tissue whenever a pulse wave moves through. The speed or velocity of the pulse wave can then be calculated from the time it takes to travel from one sensor to another.
Trend Themes
1. Wearable Health Monitoring - The development of blood pressure-sensing underpants by Philips highlights the trend of wearable technology being used for health monitoring.
2. Convenient and Portable Medical Devices - The innovation of high-tech underwear for blood pressure monitoring demonstrates the trend towards creating medical devices that are convenient and portable for everyday use.
3. Technological Advancements in Healthcare - The use of pulse wave velocity technology in underwear to monitor blood pressure reflects the trend of incorporating advanced technologies in the healthcare industry.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare - The healthcare industry can benefit from the disruptive innovation of blood pressure-sensing underpants, as it allows for convenient and accurate monitoring of patients' blood pressure.
2. Wearable Technology - The development of high-tech underwear for health monitoring creates opportunities for the wearable technology industry to expand its product offerings and enter the healthcare market.
3. Medical Devices - The integration of blood pressure sensors into underwear presents disruptive innovation opportunities for the medical device industry, as it provides a more comfortable and accessible method of monitoring blood pressure.
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