New touchless device ‘could allow earlier detection of heart problems’

A new portable system has been developed that is able to detect heart problems without the need for direct contact with the skin.

Created by researchers at the University of Waterloo, the system has shown potential to improve the monitoring of vital signs, opening the door for improved detection and prevention of some cardiovascular issues, as well as greater independence for older adults.

It uses patent-pending technology called Coded Hemodynamic Imaging to monitors a patient's blood flow at multiple arterial points simultaneously without touching the skin, making it ideal for patients with painful burns, contagious diseases or infants in neonatal intensive care.

By providing continuous data collection at different parts of the body, the technology offers a more complete picture that could not be achieved using traditional single-point methods.

Moreover, since it can scan multiple patients individually at once and from a distance, it could be useful in mass emergency scenarios or long-term care homes.

Professor Alexander Wong of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo said: "This technology provides for a more predictive approach to monitor vitals and the potential for its use is extensive."