Smartwatches could soon track blood pressure with ultrasound
Blood pressure tracking might be the next big thing for smartwatches, and Novosound’s new Slanj wearable sensor could be the thing that paves the way. Demoed at CES 2025, this wrist-worn device uses continuous ultrasound imaging to monitor blood pressure in real time. It’s not a smartwatch just yet, but the potential to integrate this tech into existing wearable platforms is huge.
What smartwatches can (and can’t) do right now
Smartwatches have made big strides in health tracking, but blood pressure monitoring has remained a challenge. Most devices that attempt to track it rely on Photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensors, which use light to estimate blood flow. While great for heart rate and oxygen levels, these methods aren’t accurate enough for reliable blood pressure readings.
A few brands have tried incorporating cuff-like technology, but it’s bulky and far from seamless. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch does offer blood pressure tracking in certain regions, but it requires calibration with a traditional cuff and periodic rechecks to stay accurate. You can also enable blood pressure tracking on certain Amazfit watches. And then there’s AKTIIA, a dedicated wearable for tracking blood pressure – but this also works via PPG sensors.
How the Slanj sensor fits in
Novosound’s Slanj sensor takes an entirely different approach. By using continuous ultrasound imaging, it provides precise readings of the radial artery, capturing real-time changes in blood pressure. Unlike optical sensors, which can struggle with reliability, or cuff-based devices that only offer periodic snapshots, Slanj delivers consistent, detailed data throughout the day. This level of accuracy could help users spot trends and anomalies much earlier.
Although Slanj is currently a (rather chunky looking) standalone device, Novosound envisions its tech being built into smartwatches. Which means wearables with hospital-grade blood pressure monitoring built-in.
A glimpse of the future
With heart health already a top priority, adding accurate blood pressure tracking could take wearables to the next level. Instead of bulky, one-off devices for specific health needs, users could get continuous cardiovascular monitoring from something they already wear every day.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
Novosound’s Slanj sensor is exciting not just for what it does now but for what it could mean down the line. With its flexible ultrasound technology, smartwatches could finally move beyond basic metrics and deliver hospital-level health insights. The comfort and convenience of continuous monitoring might make managing conditions like hypertension easier and more effective.
For now, the Slanj is a promising step forward. But if this tech finds its way into your next smartwatch, it could reshape how we think about wearables—and what they can do for our health.
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