Piezoelectric approaches for wearable continuous blood pressure monitoring: a review

Abstract

Portable and timely monitoring of blood pressure (BP) is critical for early prevention and daily control of hypertension. Despite tremendous efforts, achieving a wearable and continuous BP monitoring system remains a challenge. Of special attention is the piezoelectric approach with intrinsically good dynamic response characteristics and high fidelity through correlating arterial pulse waves with BP waves. However, the piezoelectric arterial pulse dynamic response is elusive. Here, we review state-of-the-art wearable BP measurements and arterial pulse wave monitoring using piezoelectric sensors. We then discuss the challenges and some possible solutions in wearable continuous BP monitoring. Finally, we propose a potential wearable BP monitoring strategy using arterial pulse piezoelectric dynamics.