In a new study, researchers from Michigan State University invented a proof-of-concept blood pressure app.
This app can give accurate readings on an iPhone with no special equipment.
The research was conducted by a team of scientists led by Ramakrishna Mukkamala, MSU electrical and computer engineering professor.
In a publication in Science Translational Medicine earlier this year, the team had proposed the concept with the invention of a blood pressure app and hardware.
With the combination of a smartphone and add-on optical and force sensors, the team in the current study produced a device that rivaled arm-cuff readings, the standard in most medical settings.
With advances in smartphones, the add-on optical and force sensors may no longer be needed.
Such ubiquitous blood pressure monitoring may improve hypertension awareness and control rates, and thereby help reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease and mortality.
Peek and pop, available to users looking to open functions and apps with a simple push of their finger, is now standard on many iPhones and included in some Android models.
If things keep moving along at the current pace, an app could be available in late 2019.
The team suggests that like their original device, the application still needs to be validated in a standard regulatory test.
But because no additional hardware is needed, they believe that the app could reach society faster.
Internationally, this app could be a game-changer.
While high blood pressure is treatable with lifestyle changes and medication, only around 20 percent of people with hypertension have their condition under control.
This invention gives patients a convenient option and keeping a log of daily measurements would produce an accurate average.
Anand Chandrasekhar, Keerthana Natarajan, Mohammad Yavarimanesh—all electrical and computer engineering doctoral candidates—contributed to this research.
The study is published in the journal Scientific Reports.
Copyright © 2018 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
Source: Scientific Reports.
