Blood pressure monitoring is a crucial aspect of health tracking, and wrist-worn wearables are increasingly seen as the ideal platform for this technology. While existing solutions like Samsung’s smartwatches offer blood pressure estimates using PPG sensors, a new breakthrough promises greater accuracy.
A person wearing Novosound's blood pressure wearable.
Novosound, a Scottish company, showcased its innovative ultrasound blood pressure monitoring device at CES 2025. This technology claims to achieve accuracy comparable to traditional cuff-based devices, eliminating the need for cumbersome calibration. Leveraging their patented Slanj platform, Novosound utilizes thin-film ultrasound technology to provide continuous, real-time blood pressure readings.
A New Era in Wearable Health Monitoring
Novosound CEO Dave Hughes highlighted the significance of continuous blood pressure tracking, calling it a “holy grail” in healthcare. The Slanj platform offers a cuffless and wireless solution, essentially a “mini clinic on your wrist,” capable of monitoring not only blood pressure but also muscle health and hydration levels.
A phone displaying blood pressure readings from the Novosound sensor.
From Smartwatches to Smart Rings
Novosound has explicitly stated its intention to integrate this miniaturized ultrasonic sensor into smartwatches and even smart rings. Real-world testing has already been conducted, demonstrating the sensor’s effectiveness. Beyond blood pressure monitoring, the Slanj platform also holds potential for gesture recognition, a field gaining traction with products like the WowMouse app demonstrated at CES 2025.
The Future of Blood Pressure Tracking
While Novosound has secured partners for the Slanj technology, the question remains: which consumer electronics brand will bring this innovative and convenient technology to the market? The potential impact on wearable health monitoring is significant, promising a more accurate and accessible way to track blood pressure and other vital metrics.
This advancement in wearable blood pressure monitoring represents a significant step forward in personal health management. The potential for early detection and intervention in hypertension and other related conditions is immense, paving the way for a healthier future.
