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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : September 8, 2018 8:16 PM IST
iPhone X App for checking BP © Shutterstock
Researchers of the Michigan State University have developed an iPhone X app that can give accurate readings of Blood Pressure (BP) and do not require any special equipment. According to the IANS report, the new "iPhone X" app measures BP via the 'oscillometric finger pressing method', or 'peek and pop' that enables users looking to open functions and apps with a simple push of their finger.
The user presses her fingertip on both the front camera and screen to increase the external pressure of the underlying artery, while the application measures the resulting variable-amplitude blood volume oscillations via the camera and applied pressure via the strain gauge array under the screen.
The application, featured in the journal Scientific Reports, also visually guides the fingertip placement and actuation and then computes BP from the measurements just like many automatic cuff devices.
As per as the researchers when they tested the app along with a finger cuff device, against a standard cuff device, the app yield indicated that cuff-less and calibration-free BP monitoring may be feasible with many existing and forthcoming smartphones.
The lead author Ramakrishna Mukkamala, Professor at MSU reportedly said that by leveraging optical and force sensors already in smartphones for taking 'selfies' and employing 'peek and pop', they have invented a practical tool to keep tabs on blood pressure.
He also said that such ubiquitous blood pressure monitoring may improve hypertension awareness and control rates, and thereby help reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease and mortality.
An app could be available in late 2019 if things keep moving along at the current pace. However, the app still needs to be validated in a standard regulatory test.
While high blood pressure is treatable with lifestyle changes and medication. This invention gives patients a convenient option and keeping a log of daily measurements would produce an accurate average.
