Scottish tech company Novosound develops world’s first ultrasound blood pressure monitor

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Scottish tech company Novosound develops world’s first ultrasound blood pressure monitor

At Novosound, we are now poised to revolutionise blood pressure monitoring with a significant breakthrough in wearable health technology: the development of the world’s first ultrasonic blood pressure monitor. This pioneering innovation allows for the miniaturisation of blood pressure monitoring within wearable devices, such as smartwatches and smart rings, achieving accuracy levels that are comparable to those of  conventional electronic cuff devices. Our commitment to advancing health technology continues to drive us as we work toward improving health monitoring for everyone, everywhere.

Built on our proprietary Slanj platform, (Sláinte, Scottish Gaelic meaning health) this revolutionary technology follows our previous collaboration with the Texas Medical Centre in Houston and is now set to transform blood pressure monitoring in wearables globally. Unlike many academic institutions that have focused primarily on laboratory-based developments, we have successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of our system in real-world settings, including public spaces. The results, which include robust accuracy data, were presented at the IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium (IUS) in Taipei in September. This presentation further solidified the credibility and reliability of our system.

Dave Hughes, CEO and Founder of Novosound, said:

“Scotland has long been at the forefront of ultrasound innovation, and we are proud to continue this legacy. Monitoring blood pressure with ultrasound, and without the need for a cuff, marks a significant advancement in how we can address global health and wellness issues.”.

Cardiovascular diseases affect over half a billion people globally, leading to more than 20 million deaths in 2021 alone, according to the World Heart Federation. Novosound’s advanced technology offers an opportunity to address this critical global health issue by making blood pressure monitoring more accessible, convenient, and embedded seamlessly into everyday life.

Beyond blood pressure monitoring, the Slanj platform extends its applications to a broader suite of health and wellness tracking, including hydration monitoring, muscle health assessment, and gesture recognition. Novosound will be showcasing these innovative capabilities at CES 2025 in Las Vegas in January, reinforcing its position in the global wearable tech market and expanding its outreach to potential collaborators and users alike.

Recently, Novosound completed a successful £2 million funding round led by Par Equity, with participation from Kelvin Capital, the University of the West of Scotland, and Scottish Enterprise. This new funding will drive the commercialisation and market expansion of Novosound’s innovative ultrasound technology, enabling further development and broader accessibility of these health innovations worldwide.

Paul Munn, Managing Partner, Par Equity, said:

With innovation at its core, we are pleased to continue our support for Dave and the team as the company accelerates internationalisation and global sales.  We can see the traction the company is gaining with some of the world’s largest corporate brands, with considerable commercial opportunities ahead in digital health and industrial monitoring markets.

John McNicol, Founder and Director, Kelvin Capital, said:

Kelvin Capital is excited to further support Novosound as they continue to push the boundaries of ultrasonic technology. Their groundbreaking innovations are driving significant advancements across industries, from healthcare to industrial sectors. This follow-on investment underscores our confidence in the team, technology, and vision for the future. We believe that Novosound is poised to achieve even greater milestones, and we are proud to support their journey towards global growth and success.

Professor James Miller, Principal & Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West of Scotland, also commented:

This latest investment ensures that our first high-value spinout will continue its growth trajectory as it enters an exciting new phase with many opportunities on the horizon.