World’s First FDA cleared blood pressure smartwatch is available to order

Omron, the household name in blood pressure monitors is about to release the world’s first FDA cleared, medical grade, wearable blood pressure monitor in the form of a smartwatch. Named as HeartGuide, it delivers powerful technology that streamlines the blood pressure monitoring for millions with hypertension.

In combination with the companion app Heartadvisor, the watch can proactively monitor heart rate and overtime track trends with a color-coded display that makes interpretations easier. The real-time heart monitoring generates an algorithm based on a person's daily activity data and can send daily actionable reminders. The app further compares the readings to current American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines and share data with the healthcare provider.

The watch itself is equipped with a flexible, synthetic band that inflates to measure the blood pressure via oscillometry without the tightening and uncomfortable feeling associated with blood pressure cuffs. It is necessarily a full-size blood pressure monitor that has been shrunk to the size of a wristwatch.

For measuring the B.P., the hand is placed over the heart, and tapping the touchscreen of the watch activates the band. The band starts inflating and displays the B.P. reading in 30 sec. The display is color-coded–green if it is within a normal range and yellow/red if high.

It can be programmed to take blood pressure reading during sleep– a particularly helpful feature as blood pressure readings are most accurate while we sleep.


The Heartguide can also track the heart rate, daily activity, calories burned, and patterns and quality of sleep. Over time if the physical activity is short of daily routine, a reminder is sent.

The watch comes with a 1 Lithium-ion polymer rechargeable battery, that can last up to 48 hours after being fully charged. The battery lasts for 500 cycles when B.P. is measured eight times/day.

Heart conditions are widespread with nearly 40 million people in the US whose blood pressure is uncontrolled. The Heartguide will change the way heart health is monitored and will be a crucial player in support of Omron mission “Going for Zero mission” to eliminate heart attack and stroke.

The Heartguide will be available at retail on January 9, 2019. The device is currently available for preorder for $499.

Omron has a few heart monitoring devices in their pipeline, such as a blood pressure monitor and ECG combo device intended for use in the home.

Here is a promo video of Omron’s Heartguide

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On the go blood glucose monitoring by inbuilt Glucometer in Smartphone Case

With a wide array of features like GPS, depth perception and many health-related features like BP and ECG monitoring, Smartphones have become indispensable part of our daily lives. They are the health gadgets of future. But, so far nothing was much developed for diabetics, other than the use of  phone screen to display results of continuous glucose monitoring on the screen.

Engineers at the University of California San Diego have cleverly integrated a glucose monitor in the smartphone case and app, that will enable diabetic patients to record and track their blood glucose readings, whether they’re at home or on the go.

Currently, there is no way for people with diabetes to check the blood glucose when they are out of the house or travelling. They must pack the whole kit and carry it along with them.

Patrick Mercier, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at UC San Diego is the brain behind this new gadget. “Integrating blood glucose sensing into a smartphone would eliminate the need for patients to carry a separate device,” said Patrick Mercier, he said in a news release. “An added benefit is the ability to autonomously store, process and send blood glucose readings from the phone to a care provider or cloud service.”

The new device is named GPhone, and has two main parts. A slim, aesthetically designed, 3D printed case that fits over the smartphone with a permanent, reusable sensor at the top left corner.

The sensor has to be activated by one-time use enzyme packed pellets that magnetically attach to the sensor.

To run a test, a user has to activate the sensor by dispensing a pellet on it, followed by adding a drop of blood to the now activated sensor. The sensor measures the glucose concentration and wireless send it via a Bluetooth to a custom designed android app, that displays the results on the screen.

The user can communicate the results with his healthcare provider or store it in icloud, to track it over a long period of time.

The pellet is discarded after use and the sensor is deactivated. A 3D printed stylus with capacity of 30 pellets store them, and remains attached to the side of the case.

The pellet contains enzyme called glucose oxidase which reacts with glucose and generates an electrical signal in proportion to glucose levels that is picked by the sensor’s electrode.

The work is currently at proof of concept stage. Joseph Wang, nanoengineering professor and his other colleagues dream of integrating the monitor with the smartphone instead of case. They are also working currently to reduce the amount of blood needed for testing and bringing down the cost of the pellets, which are costlier than usual test strips.

The work was recently published in Biosensors and Bioelectronics.

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All Media: Courtesy UC San Diego Newsletter

MAP healthwatch: Watch that monitors, analyze and predict your health status

Since the first wave of wearables hit the market, everyone is excited about the impact these devices have on improving the healthcare industry. We have seen Fitbits, Jawbones and others in the market but, these were not medical device and clinicians knew that a break is yet to come.

Well, MAP healthwatch is about to hit the market soon. MAP watch is a medical sensor that is CE and FDA certified that continuously analyze 7 vital parameters that can most commonly predict life threatening diseases. The watch has 5 separate sensors that measures blood pressure, ECG, Heart rate variability, blood oxygen levels, skin temperature, stress and galvanic skin response.

The sensors include PPG sensor with 2 different color LED, 4 contact ECG (Einthoven I lead), Skin conductivity, Skin temperature and 3-axis accelerometer.

MAP was designed, invented and tested by a group of dedicated doctors, engineers and designers from all across the globe.

Each watch is personalized to individual needs. The medical team records the personal medical history, risk factors and inputs the data to customize the watch. Your vital data is continuously recorded on a secure server and evaluated based on medical algorithms. A team of doctors will analyze the data and the person gets regular advice about medical and lifestyle management to lead a healthier life.

This is giant leap of technology on the “life alert” and “cardiac sensors” wearables that are in the market currently.

The watch has a panic button to deal with any kind of medical emergency, if the wearer presses the button he gets assisted by a medical team 24/7.

There is a mobile app for MAP and is compatible with Android and iOS platform.

Being a medical device has not compromised the look of the MAP watch. It’s very aesthetically designed and can be worn every day as a regular watch. It comes is several different colors and available in man and woman size. Its battery lasts for 24 hours without recharging in between.

It can also be worn during any of the fitness activity and will track and monitor the necessary data.

MAP is currently available on preorder and it will hit the regular market in a week.

http://maphealthwatch.com/