# Hi-Tech Panties Philips Blood Pressure-Sensing Underwear By Pearl | Published 2008-05-19 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blood-pressure-sensing-underpants-by-philips References: [technology.newscientist](http://technology.newscientist.com/channel/tech/dn13929-invention-bloodpressuresensing-underpants.html?feedId=tech_rss20) [Philips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nowatch) wants you to forget about using uncomfortable arm cuffs to monitor your blood pressure, and use their high-tech underwear instead. Most of us have had our blood pressures monitored, some more often than others due to medical reasons. This is usually done in the doctor's office using a stethoscope and a cuff-pump device, or we've checked it ourselves at the local drugstore. Neither method is convenient nor are they portable. These methods are also not practical if [blood pressure readings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/withings-bpm-pro-2) have to be carried out several times a day. Philips, the electronics giant has recently filed a patent for [blood-pressure sensing underpants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/underaware) which can be calibrated to give accurate readings whenever they are worn. The technology makes use of “pulse wave velocity” - pulse waves generated when the heart pumps which then moves through the blood circulatory system. The researchers have found pulse wave speeds correlate to blood pressure. The built-in sensors in the waistband of the underpants detect changes in the electrical impedance of the underlying tissue whenever a pulse wave moves through. The speed or velocity of the pulse wave can then be calculated from the time it takes to travel from one sensor to another. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.6/10 - Popularity: 32% | Activity: 68% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Inventions](https://www.trendhunter.com/inventions) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Wearable Health Monitoring:** The development of blood pressure-sensing underpants by Philips highlights the trend of wearable technology being used for health monitoring. - **Convenient and Portable Medical Devices:** The innovation of high-tech underwear for blood pressure monitoring demonstrates the trend towards creating medical devices that are convenient and portable for everyday use. - **Technological Advancements in Healthcare:** The use of pulse wave velocity technology in underwear to monitor blood pressure reflects the trend of incorporating advanced technologies in the healthcare industry. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Healthcare:** The healthcare industry can benefit from the disruptive innovation of blood pressure-sensing underpants, as it allows for convenient and accurate monitoring of patients' blood pressure. - **Wearable Technology:** The development of high-tech underwear for health monitoring creates opportunities for the wearable technology industry to expand its product offerings and enter the healthcare market. - **Medical Devices:** The integration of blood pressure sensors into underwear presents disruptive innovation opportunities for the medical device industry, as it provides a more comfortable and accessible method of monitoring blood pressure. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Blood Pressure-Measuring Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/health-monitoring-capability.md) - [Cuffless Blood Pressure Monitors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/valencell-1.md) - [Miniature Blood Pressure Monitors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miniature-blood-pressure-monitors.md) - [Smartphone Blood Pressure Readers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bpclip.md) - [Affordable Blood Pressure Monitors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xiaomi-1.md) - [Belt-Based Wearable Sensors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vital-belt.md) - [Demure Blood Pressure Bracelets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aktiia-wearable-blood-pressure-monitor.md) - [Portable Blood Pressure Monitors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-blood-pressure-monitor.md) - [Blood Pressure-Monitoring Smartwatches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yhe-bp-doctor-fit.md)