Smallest available PPG sensor head is ideal for narrow spaces
SCIVAX Corporation and TSLC Corporation, a SemiLEDs Corporation, have developed the world’s smallest PPG (PhotoPlethysmoGraphy) sensor head. It will be showcased at the display-related technology exhibition Touch Taiwan in Taipei.
The PPG sensor head utilizes optics to measure volumetric changes in blood vessels caused by the beating of the heart based on slight tonal changes that occur in the skin. Typical applications in wearable devices include blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and more. Samples for evaluation will be available starting in April 2025.
To develop the sensor head, SCIVAX and TSLC created the smallest light source device, Amtelus®, by merging advanced material science, optical lens design from SCIVAX, and advanced packaging technology from TSLC. Evaluation samples have begun shipping.
Utilising the technology developed through SCIVAX’s nano-imprinted lens and TSLC’s advanced methods for producing Amtelus®, the companies successfully created a new product in which the sensor head (signal acquisition component) of PPG sensors, used as vital sensors in smartwatches and other devices, is significantly smaller than conventional products.
This PPG sensor head has a mounting area of approximately 1 square millimetre, which is one-tenth the size of conventional devices. Its thickness is about half that of standard devices, resulting in a significant size reduction compared to conventional devices.
Minimising the PPG sensor head’s mounting area allows for installation in narrow spaces, which were challenging in the past. Furthermore, deploying multiple sensors (arrays) broadens application possibilities. For instance, using several PPG sensor heads enables more precise sensing. Additionally, utilising the sensor head as an array permits blood flow measurement even in confined spaces, making it suitable for beauty applications, home healthcare, and nursing, among others.
Since the PPG sensor head is housed in a resin package where the light source and optical sensor are integrally moulded, it offers a significant cost advantage over conventional products. SCIVAX and TSLC aim to expand into various fields, including applying this technology to next-generation life sciences, such as vital sensors.
www.scivax.com/en
www.tslc.com.tw
www.semileds.com
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