CardieX partners with Infineon to commercialise wearable blood pressure sensor technology

Digital health technology company CardieX (ASX: CDX) has announced its wearables co-development partner Blumio Inc has secured an agreement with Germany’s Infineon Technologies for the commercialisation of blood pressure sensor technology based on Infineon’s radar chip and Blumio’s software and algorithms.

The new arrangement will build on CardieX’s existing co-development agreement with US-based Blumio, which provides for the integration of CardieX’s algorithms and SphygmoCor technology into the Blumio sensor.

SphygmoCor utilises proprietary software to provide critical information which cannot be obtained from standard cuff blood pressure measurement.

The device applies a validated process, which transforms the waveform and pressure measured at the arm to the waveform and pressure at the heart and can be valuable in predicting the risk of a heart attack, heart failure or stroke.

More than 4,000 SphygmoCor systems are currently in use at medical and research institutions worldwide, and in clinical trials with leading pharmaceutical companies.

Non-invasive sensor

Under the terms of the new partnership, Blumio and Infineon will co-develop a wearable, non-invasive blood pressure sensor based on Infineon’s XENSIV radar chipset technology.

A kit combining the radar chipset and development board with Blumio’s software and algorithms will be released to consumer and medical wearable device makers next year to integrate into their blood pressure monitoring devices.

Infineon’s Silicon Valley Innovation Centre (SVIC) will provide funding and resources to support the commercialisation project.

It will also offer engineering, manufacturing and marketing expertise, as well as office and laboratory space.

It is believed the new sensor could potentially disrupt the $64 billion global market for wearable cardiovascular monitoring devices by enabling continuous and precise measurement without a cuff.

Health technology market

CardieX chief executive officer Craig Cooper said the partnership with Infineon will promote the accelerated commercialisation of Blumio’s technology in one of the largest health technology markets.

“All boats will continue to rise as we look to further refine the integration of our SphygmoCor technology into the Blumio sensor,” he said.

Infineon SVIC head of power and sensor systems Adrian Mikolajczack commented that it was exciting to see Infineon’s advanced sensors like radar being applied to novel and rapidly expanding health and wellness applications.“Bringing together Infineon’s 60 GHz radar chipset and system understanding with Blumio’s expertise in cardiovascular health monitoring in a more formal engagement lets both companies leverage their strengths to more rapidly bring this product to market,” he said.

Mobvoi deal

CardieX also has a joint development agreement with China-based consumer electronics company Mobvoi Information Technology for the development of smart-wearable solutions based on SphygmoCor technology.

According to the terms of the deal which commenced in September, CardieX will become Mobvoi’s “exclusive development partner” for applications and features related to “smart heart health” and related functions that can be derived specifically from CardieX’s unique algorithms.

Mobvoi is currently the official China partner for Google’s Wear OS platform.

Wearable sensor patent

Earlier this month, CardieX wholly-owned subsidiary Atcor announced it had submitted a US patent application in regards to its photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor for smartwatches and other wearable devices, based on SphygmoCor technology.

The sensor aims to assist in effective remote diagnosis and monitoring of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

PPGs are the most widely used sensors on a range of wearable devices produced by leading technology companies such as Apple, Samsung, Garmin, Mobvoi and Fitbit.

Mr Cooper said the patent would build on SphygmoCor’s success to date.

“Our plan is to replicate the same USFDA-cleared technology from our medical devices into wearables to provide advanced medical diagnostics and health information to consumers,” he said.

“We want to build a patent portfolio around our engineering successes to drive increased value for shareholders.”

Mr Cooper said the first commercial application of the patent will “most likely be with Mobvoi” as part of the joint development agreement.