A team of researchers working out of the University of California in San Diego have introducer the 'BPClip,' a diminutive blood pressure monitor that is designed to make it possible for people to go about keeping tabs on blood pressure without having to rely on expensive and difficult-to-procure gadgets.
The 'BPClip' is a 3D-printed gizmo that is attached to a smartphone in such a way that the device's hole is placed over the phone's camera. The companion smartphone app can then be used to take a number of readings of the region below the fingertip.
By carefully monitoring the brightness and size of the hole-enabled dot across a number of photos, the smartphone app can assess blood pressure and display it on the interface.
What's more, the 'BPClip' blood pressure monitor is a low-cost solution, making it ideal for use in developing countries and crisis-stricken regions.
Miniature Blood Pressure Monitors
The 'BPClip' Uses Smartphone Cameras to Assess Blood Pressure
Trend Themes
1. Universal Health Monitors - Develop devices that can perform health checkups at home using smartphones or other mobile devices, especially for areas with low-cost solutions.
2. Adaptive Healthcare Technology - Create scalable healthcare devices that are designed to work with existing technologies such as smartphones or smartwatches.
3. Crowdsourced Healthcare Innovation - Invite developers to create low-cost healthcare technologies and innovations using open-source tools for individuals and communities who do not have access to professional health care.
Industry Implications
1. Mobile Devices Industry - The mobile devices industry can create more health devices using smartphones and other mobile devices to provide affordable blood pressure monitoring, making it accessible to more users.
2. Healthcare Industry - Innovative health care devices that are easy to use and affordable can aid the healthcare industry in increasing access to blood pressure monitoring and other health tests in areas with low-cost solutions, such as developing countries or in crises.
3. 3D Printing Industry - The 3D printing industry can research and develop new ways to produce low-cost, tiny, and portable healthcare devices, such as the BPClip blood pressure monitor.