Can a Smartphone Camera Help Track Blood Pressure?

Binai.ai, a web-based health platform, says its app can check someone’s blood pressure simply by focusing a smartphone camera at the person’s face. Experts remain doubtful, however.

What to know:

• Scientists and researchers have tried for years to develop a way to track blood pressure without the traditional arm cuff.

• Binai.ai’s tool analyzes light reflected off of the face to detect changes in blood flow, which is called photoplethysmography (PPG).

• Outside experts, however, say much more data and study are needed before patients could rely on this system.

• Others wonder if the camera-based app would work on people of different skin tones, or those with facial hair or makeup.

• David Maman, CEO and co-founder of Binah.ai., says his team ran tests on 264 people to create the system. Those data have not been published.

• Maman said they are planning more trials and will seek approval from the US Food and Drug Administration.

This is a summary of the article, “App Claims to Track Blood Pressure Through a Smartphone Camera,” published by The Verge on January 7. The full article can be found on theverge.com.

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