Beam me up! New wearable tech uses light technology to check your blood pressure
Written by:
Internal medicine specialist
Published: 02/11/2017
Edited by: Jay Staniland
A new wearable tech device that monitors your blood pressure on the go, could be available soon. The TLT Sapphire device uses a beam of light to monitor changes in the blood vessels that occur due to changes in blood pressure and eliminates the risk of white coat hypertension. To learn more, we hear from highly esteemed cardiovascular physician and clinical hypertension specialist Professor Melvin Lobo.
How does it work?
The TLT Sapphire device uses light technology to measure tiny changes in the blood vessels, which are caused by changes in blood pressure. The device records changes instantaneously, and to a high degree of accuracy.
The device can be worn like a watch or can be placed anywhere on the body to quickly and easily record the blood pressure.
What are the benefits of this device?
The TLT Sapphire device eliminates ‘white coat hypertension’ which is the effect of having an unusually high blood pressure reading when taken in a medical setting (due to being nervous about the blood pressure results). Using the device means that you can wear it at home to get a natural reading.
Compared with standard cuff monitors, the results are more natural and accurate. A standard cuff monitor measures vibrations caused by the movement of the blood, and only records at the moment the cuff is worn. The TLT Sapphire can be worn for longer periods.
The device is smaller than a postage stamp, and the thickness of a credit card, so has potential to be incorporated into a mobile phone or clothing, or worn like a watch, without the need for a cuff.
The device can be used to accurately detect cases of hypertension and hypotension, along with other blood pressure disorders.
When could the device be available?
Leading cardiologist and blood pressure specialist, Professor Melvin Lobo is leading trials on the device, with results due in early 2018. If the trials prove the device is highly accurate then the technology could become commercially available within the next year