Remote patient monitoring specialist Biospectal will launch an all-in-one connected blood pressure monitoring device at CES 2022. The device, which connects automatically to company’s OptiBP app for remote connections, is designed for those who find smartphone apps difficult to use. The company also plans to launch a version of its OptiBP app for iOS handsets.

Biodisc is a stand-alone all-in-one blood pressure monitoring device that allows users to measure their vital signs via their fingertip. It works together with the Biospectal OptiBP smartphone app and extends the reach of Biospectal’s blood pressure monitoring platform.

Biodisc’s core technology uses an optical sensor to record a photoplethysmography (PPG) signal at the fingertip, which is then converted into a user’s vital signs by a series of algorithms. Biodisc is particularly designed for people who are less comfortable with smartphone technology or complicated gadgets. Cloud connected, shareable and usable between multiple users, Biodisc is also envisaged to be used in medical clinics and hospitals, where patients will be able to authenticate themselves via a fingerprint reader.

The Biospectal OptiBP app, which was launched for Android in January 2021, and will be available for iOS from January 2022, runs on a typical smartphone and uses the built-in camera to record  a user’s blood flow via their fingertip quickly and easily. A measurement is rendered in approximately 20 seconds — half the time of a typical blood pressure cuff. Biospectal’s proprietary algorithms and optical signal capture methods then transform the captured data into blood pressure values.  The captured blood pressure data connects seamlessly with a user’s clinicians to support treatment regimens that help improve health, longevity and quality of life.  View a short video of how Biospectal OptiBP works here.

Biospectal’s OptiBP patented technology was co-developed and clinically validated by the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology and represents 10+ years of non-invasive optical biosensing R&D. The OptiBP app has been tested and validated by large-scale, third party studies in different population groups in various settings including ambulatory clinics and emergency rooms. Study results have been published in Scientific Reports in Nature and in the Blood Pressure Monitoring Journal. Findings from Biospectal’s two studies of prenatal female populations in four low-resource countries will be available in the first half of 2022.

“Our mission is to democratize access to blood pressure monitoring and management globally. Our software-only approach with the Biospectal OptiBP app enables embodiment in different devices, and is now available in public beta for both Android and iOS users,” said Biospectal CEO and co-founder, Eliott Jones. “The Biospectal OptiBP app has the ability to turn the global network of smartphones into a medical-grade blood pressure monitoring platform. Our goal with Biodisc is to expand OptiBP’s reach via additional touchpoints and use cases for  blood pressure monitoring in hospitals, clinics, work and the home environment. We want to make Biodisc an easily accessible, unintimidating, natural daily companion on your nightstand, desk, or countertop, inviting you to quickly capture your blood pressure regularly with no disruption to your daily routine.” 

Biodisc’s hardware specifications and features, include:

• Integrates with the OptiBP app: Bluetooth Low Energy connection enables easy connectivity — even when unconnected to Wi-Fi
• Battery-powered: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery (induction) requires charging only a few times a year with no wire clutter.
• Cloud-connected: Low power, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connection to transmit data securely to the cloud for viewing and analysis in Biospectal’s OptiBP app (iOS or Android), or it can automatically send blood pressure readings securely to the user’s designated doctors and clinicians.
• Sleep/Hibernate Mode: Conserves energy; wakes on touch of a finger to the finger groove.
• Haptic Feedback: Vibration feedback to assist with finger placement and start/stop events during measurement.
• Illuminated Finger Groove: The Biodisc is designed with a comfortable “groove” finger guide to ensure easy finger placement and accurate measurement, as well providing a pleasant “illuminated edge” visual reminder to take blood pressure.
• Reminders and Event Notification Chimes: Biodisc works with the OptiBP app to include manual and automated  reminders to take blood pressure and to alert the user to blood pressure related notifications using a sound chime.