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A research team at Seoul National University (SNU), led by Professor Seung Hwan Ko of the Wearable Soft Electronics Lab, has developed a groundbreaking wearable electronic device that can continuously monitor blood pressure in real time by simply attaching a flexible patch to the skin like a bandage. This innovation marks a significant advancement over conventional cuff-based devices, which are bulky, uncomfortable, and capable of only one-time measurements, limiting their practicality for long-term use.
The new device measures blood pressure by detecting the time difference between electrical signals (electrocardiograms) and mechanical pulse signals generated by the heart and received at the wrist; this interval varies with the blood pressure level. When blood pressure is high, the pulse arrives sooner, shortening this time gap, while lower blood pressure lengthens it. Using this principle, the device continuously and noninvasively tracks both systolic and diastolic pressure throughout daily activities.
Key to its design is the use of a unique liquid metal material that adheres naturally to the skin with elasticity similar to human skin. The research team overcame the challenge of liquid metal’s high surface tension— which complicates circuit formation—by introducing a laser sintering method that precisely fuses liquid metal particles only where needed to create highly conductive and stretchable circuits. The final wearable device remains functional even when stretched up to 700% of its original length or after more than 10,000 stretching cycles.
In tests, the device demonstrated superior accuracy in tracking rapid blood pressure changes before and after exercise compared to traditional cuff methods, enabling more personalized health and fitness monitoring. This technology holds promise not only for people with hypertension—a condition affecting around 1.3 billion people worldwide of whom only 21% effectively manage it—but also for broader applications like intensive care, workplace safety, and lifestyle health analytics.
The wearable blood pressure patch could transform healthcare by allowing continuous health monitoring anytime and anywhere, moving care beyond hospitals to everyday life. Future research plans include integrating wireless communication, various substrate materials, and AI-based data analysis to enhance device functionality.
Professor Ko emphasized, “Our system proposes a new healthcare interface capable of detecting and analyzing physiological signals noninvasively and in real time,” highlighting its potential to improve quality of life in the modern era.
Disclaimer: This device is currently in the research and development phase and is not yet commercially available. Further clinical testing and regulatory approvals are required before widespread use. Users should continue following medical advice and guidance from healthcare professionals regarding blood pressure monitoring and management.
