Blood Pressure: The New Way
By Sai Satvik Kolla
In this era of rapid technological advancement, some breakthroughs promise to revolutionize healthcare and patient monitoring. Deep in the exciting world of optoelectronic devices is a researcher at the forefront of the field, Tien Anh Nguyen, also known as Tano. Tano is a Biomedical Engineering graduate from UNC currently in his gap year before medical school. Currently, he is working full-time in UNC’s Bai Lab, researching a low-cost blood pressure measuring device that uses a metric known as pulse-wave velocity to estimate blood pressure.
Tien Anh Nguyen
Source: Kitty Zheng
When asked what specifically led him to explore this device, Tano stated, "It stemmed from what skills I was already building and what I knew beforehand working with optoelectronic devices.” Tano believes that this project is a way for him to use prior experience and develop a clinically significant tool that offers immense opportunities. Its ability to detect blood pressure and pulse at a higher resolution, along with its portability, make it applicable to a variety of contexts (1). Future developments could also involve wireless connectivity and protective casings, allowing the device even more uses in healthcare settings. This research is a step in a long yet promising journey toward revolutionizing blood pressure measurement (2).
With numerous devices emerging in the market, it is easy to wonder what sets Tano’s device apart. "Just with the sheer size of it, it is tiny and non-invasive," Tano explains. "The goal is to make it as comfortable and user-friendly as possible (1)."
In layman’s terms, the device capitalizes on the human body's natural rhythms. "Your heart contracts and relaxes, pushing a wave of blood across your body. The speed {pulse-wave velocity} has been shown to correlate with blood pressure," Tano illustrates. "We’re creating a wearable device that measures this speed, using it to provide continuous blood pressure monitoring (1)." Using dual photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors placed on the temple and index fingers, the device detects pulse. The pulse-wave velocity is then derived from the sensors' measurements, which are then used to estimate blood pressure (2).
Schematic of the PPG Device
Source: Tien Anh Nguyen
While acknowledging that blood pressure cuffs are currently the gold standard, Tano emphasizes the edge their device has. "For those needing continuous monitoring or those with erratic BP spikes or drops, our device is a convenient preventative measure. With its squeezing mechanism, the traditional cuff can be uncomfortable and damaging if used continuously (1)." Most current BP monitoring devices are tedious to use outside a clinic or home, and ambulatory monitors are complicated throughout the day. Additionally, current devices also need highly specialized equipment to function due to the presence of an inflatable cuff (2).
A Traditional Blood Pressure Cuff
Source: Unknown Source Licensed Under CC BY-NC-ND
Tano’s device is groundbreaking in this respect. Blood pressure measurement could switch from an arduous task to a simple one, helping those at risk for cardiovascular disease to stay on top of their health (2).
One of the standout aspects of Tano’s innovation is its potential to address health inequity and access issues. Tano points out, "Our current fabrication method is cost-effective. It can be mass-produced at a relatively low cost, making it ideal for poorer communities with minimal access to healthcare. We envision it as a cheap yet effective blood pressure monitoring tool for all (1)." Experts predict hypertension to increase by 60% in the next two years, a disease reigning as the leading cause of premature death and disability worldwide. Hypertension can lead also to many other ailments, including kidney disease, stroke, and loss of cognitive function. A device such as Tano’s can help combat heart disease in underserved communities through its constant monitoring ability, allowing patients and physicians to detect and take preventative measures (2).
Pioneers like Tano explore the uncharted terrains of health and technology, driving to a future where healthcare is both advanced and accessible. Tano’s work on the wearable blood pressure monitoring device holds promise and could be a game-changer in cardiovascular health.
References:
Interview with Tien Anh Nguyen, 09/05/2023
Nguyen, T.; Wang, H.; Kolla, S. S.; Kuntamukkala, R. Wearable Continuous Blood Pressure Monitoring through Photoplethysmography-based Pulse Wave Velocity Measurement. Grant Paper, 2023.