Blood pressure measurement could soon say goodbye to the traditional cuff: thanks to an innovative ultrasound patch developed by researchers at University of California San Diego and subjected to an in-depth clinical validation on over 100 patients. This wearable device, as big as a postage stamp, It has been shown to be able to continuously and non-invasively monitor blood pressure, offering more complete and reliable data than spot measurements obtained with current methods.
The technology, illustrated on Nature Biomedical Engineering (“Clinical validation of a wearable ultrasound blood pressure sensor”), has the potential to improve the quality of cardiovascular health monitoring in the clinic and at home.
A step forward in blood pressure monitoring
The patch developed by the San Diego team represents a significant advance over the initial prototype developed by Professor Sheng Xu. The researchers have in fact made two key changes to improve its performance. First, They brought piezoelectric transducers closer together, allowing for broader coverage of arteries of clinical interest such as the brachial and radial arteries, and added a layer of support to dampen redundant vibrations, resulting in a clearer signal and greater accuracy in tracking arterial walls.
The result? A device that can provide accurate, real-time blood pressure readings when worn on the forearm. A promising alternative to traditional methods, as confirmed by validation tests conducted on patients undergoing arterial catheterization procedures and admitted to intensive care.
Large-scale clinical validation
The strength of the study is the extensive clinical validation to which the patch has been subjected. As many as 117 subjects participated in the tests aimed at assessing the accuracy of the device across a wide range of activities and contexts. In a group of 7 participants, the patch was tested during daily activities such as cycling, raising an arm or leg, performing mental calculations, meditating, eating, and drinking energy drinks. Meanwhile, in a larger cohort of 85 subjects, it was also assessed during posture changes, such as going from sitting to standing. In all cases, the patch measurements were found to be in line with those of traditional blood pressure cuffs.
But the real test was continuous monitoring in 21 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization and 4 admitted to intensive care after surgery. Here the patch gave its best, providing measurements that are comparable to those of the arterial line, the gold standard for invasive blood pressure monitoring. A result that gives hope for a future in which this device can replace more invasive and uncomfortable methods.
Blood pressure always under control
Researchers are already working to bring the patch from clinical trials to everyday practice. Large-scale clinical trials and the integration of machine learning algorithms are planned to further improve the device’s capabilities. A wireless, battery-powered version is also being developed for long-term use and seamless integration with existing hospital systems.
The goal is ambitious but within reach: to revolutionize the way we monitor blood pressure, making this vital parameter more accessible, continuous and less invasive. With potentially enormous implications for the quality of diagnoses and cardiovascular care both in the clinical and home settings. After all, being able to monitor your blood pressure simply by wearing a patch seems like a dream, but it could soon become reality. A reality in which technology is becoming smaller, smarter and closer to our health needs. And in which blood pressure, with its ups and downs, will no longer have any secrets.
