Wireless ultrasound e-tattoo for continuous blood pressure monitoring
Official title: SCH: A biomechanics-guided wireless ultrasonic e-tattoo with an application specific integrated circuit for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11179423 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A soft, wireless 'e‑tattoo' that uses ultrasound aims to continuously measure blood pressure without a cuff for people who need ambulatory monitoring, including children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $275,478 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL177816-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11179423 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people who need continuous or ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, especially pediatric patients in cardiac intensive care who have arterial lines.
✕Less likely to help
People who do not need ongoing blood pressure tracking, who cannot wear a wrist device, or who have skin sensitivity to adhesives may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
You would wear a soft, wrist‑laminated ultrasound "e‑tattoo" that sends and receives tiny sound pulses to track artery motion. The device uses a very small, low‑power chip and wireless design to run on minimal battery power. Researchers will apply biomechanics models to turn those ultrasound signals into absolute blood pressure numbers. The team will pilot the device in patients who already have arterial catheters in a pediatric cardiac unit to compare the e‑tattoo readings with clinical monitors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer comfortable, cuff‑free, continuous blood pressure monitoring that makes it easier to detect dangerous blood pressure changes sooner.
How similar studies have gone: Previous cuffless blood pressure devices have been tested but often lacked acceptable accuracy, and this ultrasound e‑tattoo approach is novel and not yet proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jia, Yaoyao — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Jia, Yaoyao
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Non-invasive, continuous blood pressure monitoring for prenatal maternal health
A wearable device from PyrAmes uses comfortable, non-invasive sensors and smart software to constantly monitor a pregnant person’s blood pressure and heart health so doctors can protect both mom and baby.
-
Smartphone app helps pregnant women in Ghana monitor blood pressure at home
A smartphone app is being customized for pregnant women in Ghana to support home blood pressure monitoring and improve safety during pregnancy.
-
Remote blood pressure monitoring with pharmacist-led telehealth for people living with HIV
A plan to remotely track blood pressure and support HIV patients with pharmacist-led telehealth and reminders to bring BP under control.
-
Non-Invasive AI-Enhanced Neonatal Blood Pressure Monitoring in NICUs
A new AI-powered system uses the baby’s existing sensors to continuously track blood pressure in the NICU without invasive procedures, helping clinicians spot problems early.
-
Remote blood pressure monitoring with pharmacist-led telehealth after ED discharge
A new program helps adults with high blood pressure receive BP monitoring and medication support after leaving the emergency department, with pharmacists guiding telehealth visits and automated reminders.
-
Cuffless wireless ultrasound tattoo to monitor blood pressure
A wearable, skin-like ultrasound device will wirelessly measure and track blood pressure continuously in kids and patients, using a tiny chip and smart data signals.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.