Rockley Photonics samples biosensing wristband

Technology News | December 5, 2023

By Peter Clarke

Wearables Optoelectronics Medical Electronics

Rockley Photonics Ltd. (Oxford, England) has begun sampling the Bioptx wristband for continuous non-invasive monitoring of health indicators. These indicators include biomarkers of hydration and body temperature.

Within the unit Rockley has demonstrated the potential for short-wave infrared (SWIR) laser-based spectroscopy biosensing alongside conventional LED-based photoplethysmography (PPG) biosensing.

By incorporating the SWIR spectrophotometer into a wearable capable of several days of measurement, Rockley has demonstrated continuous collection of spectral data which provides unique insights into tissue composition and dynamics.

The SWIR based sensor delivers real-time information on temperature and hydration while the PPG detect heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, and blood oxygen saturation. Combined with the recently released Rockley Developer API, the platform provides real-time monitoring of vital physiologic parameters that can be uploaded to local monitor – such as a smartphone – or to the cloud.

“Rockley has created the full technology stack from the design of the PIC [photonic IC], which forms the miniature spectrophotometer, to the full wearable integration and novel biomarker delivery. We have significantly progressed the SWIR-tissue measurement science and biomarker algorithms through IRB-approved human studies,” said Andrew Rickman, CEO and chairman of Rockley, in a statement.

Rockley went through a difficult period earlier in this year when it was obliged to file for bankruptcy protection but it was able to successfully follow a pre-filed plan and raise funds allowing it to emerge in June of 2023.