Oura Files Patent for Blood Pressure Tracking
Smart ring maker Oura has filed a detailed patent for blood pressure monitoring technology, signaling its intent to expand into cardiovascular health tracking. The move follows ongoing research trials and a broader company focus on advancing cardiovascular health through its wearable devices. The patent suggests a future feature for the Oura Ring.
- The patent describes a method for calculating blood pressure by measuring the time it takes for a pulse wave to travel between two points on the body (pulse wave transit time). This could involve synchronizing data from the Oura Ring's photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors with another device, such as a smartphone camera. - This patent builds on Oura's existing research, including a "Blood Pressure Profile" study designed to refine and validate a future feature for FDA submission. The company is also running a randomized clinical trial called GONDOR-AS to test if its AI-powered advisor can help users reduce arterial stiffness. - A significant hurdle for cuffless blood pressure technology is achieving medical-grade accuracy without regular calibration with a traditional cuff. The American Heart Association has stated that while promising, most current cuffless devices have not yet been validated as accurate enough to diagnose or manage hypertension. - In July 2025, the FDA granted 510(k) clearance for the first over-the-counter, cuffless blood pressure monitor, the Hilo wristband from Aktiia. This sets a regulatory precedent for other cuffless consumer wearables entering the U.S. market. - Key competitors are also advancing in this area; Apple, for instance, received FDA clearance in September 2025 for an AI algorithm on its watch that notifies users of hypertension risk by analyzing vascular responses over time, though it does not provide specific blood pressure readings. - The broader smart ring market is becoming more crowded with competitors like Samsung (Galaxy Ring), Ultrahuman (Ring Air), and RingConn, all of which track key vitals like heart rate, HRV, and blood oxygen levels, creating pressure for feature differentiation.
