Imagine using light to monitor your health instead of invasive or uncomfortable devices. That’s the focus of research by Darren Roblyer, a professor of biomedical engineering at Boston University, whose team is developing innovative tools that use light to measure vital health information.
These devices could transform how we monitor conditions like high blood pressure, cancer, and even autoimmune diseases.
A simple demonstration explains the science behind their work: if you shine a flashlight through your finger, you’ll see a reddish glow.
This glow occurs because the light interacts with your tissues, scattering in many directions. Roblyer and his team study this interaction to develop medical devices that gather information about the body.
One of their major projects involves creating a blood pressure monitor that doesn’t use a cuff. Current devices require squeezing the arm, which can be uncomfortable and disruptive, especially when used repeatedly throughout the day.
Roblyer’s device, called speckle contrast optical spectroscopy, uses light waves—from visible to near-infrared—to measure blood flow and artery movement directly. A small sensor clips onto a finger and wraps around the wrist, providing continuous readings without discomfort.
The team tested the device on 30 people over several weeks and found it to be highly accurate. By averaging readings taken every 15 minutes over 24 hours, this method provides a better picture of blood pressure than a single measurement at a doctor’s office.
This continuous monitoring could improve the prediction of serious health problems like strokes or heart attacks.
Roblyer’s goal is to make this device more accessible and convenient, reducing the need for traditional, bulky blood pressure monitors that disrupt daily life. He believes this technology could make a big difference, especially for patients at risk of hypertension who require regular monitoring.
Beyond blood pressure, Roblyer’s team is exploring how light can help track cancer treatment. In collaboration with Dr. Naomi Ko, a breast cancer specialist at Boston Medical Center, they are developing a handheld device to monitor how tumors respond to chemotherapy or radiation.
This scanner measures oxygen levels in the blood around tumors, providing real-time data on whether a treatment is working.
Currently, tools like mammograms and MRIs often can’t accurately predict how a tumor will respond to treatment. Roblyer’s device offers a potential solution by allowing doctors to see changes in the tumor during therapy.
This could help them adjust treatments earlier, improving outcomes for patients. The long-term vision is to create a portable version of the device that patients can use at home, sending results to their doctors remotely.
The possibilities don’t stop there. Roblyer’s lab is working on devices to monitor kidney function during dialysis and developing a tool to track internal inflammation caused by scleroderma, a severe autoimmune disease. By focusing on unmet needs identified through conversations with doctors, his team aims to create practical solutions that address real medical challenges.
Although these technologies are still in their early stages, Roblyer is optimistic about their potential. He compares the progress to where ultrasound technology was in the 1960s—promising but requiring further development before becoming a standard medical tool.
Ultimately, Roblyer hopes these innovations will improve patients’ lives by offering less invasive, more accurate ways to monitor their health. By harnessing the power of light, his team is opening new possibilities for medical care, making it simpler, more effective, and more accessible for everyone.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that could increase high blood pressure risk, and people with severe high blood pressure should reduce coffee intake.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and results showing plant-based foods could benefit people with high blood pressure.
The research findings can be found in bioRxiv.
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