Henry Crandall, an electrical and computer engineering Ph.D. candidate at the University of Utah, is working to create a blood pressure monitoring technique that is cuffless, convenient, and can measure over an extended period.
Blood pressure is an important indicator of overall heart health, and high blood pressure contributes to many serious health issues. Despite the importance of this measurement, the lack of a portable or convenient technology leaves most people without a way to continuously monitor their blood pressure outside of a yearly doctor’s appointment.
“Getting a measurement once a year is a very small snapshot of what’s going on with your heart long term,” Crandall said. “There’s a huge need for a new measurement technique and device that can measure continuously.”
Crandall’s research uses bioimpedance — a health monitoring approach that injects an imperceptible amount of electricity directly into the skin’s tissue. He is developing new algorithms, equations, and models to incorporate into the next generation of wearable health monitors, like smart rings and watches. His research results are part of a provisional patent application currently in the works by the university.
“This has huge societal impacts, helping people to live better and healthier lives,” Crandall said. “I’m super excited to be plugged into this ecosystem.”
Crandall is eager to support the next generation of engineers and use his blood pressure research in university outreach events.
More articles like this in ‘Student Innovation @ the U!’
Find this article and a lot more in the 2023 “Student Innovation @ the U” report. The publication is presented by the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute to celebrate student innovators, change-makers, and entrepreneurs.
