How a Wearable Device Measures Heart Rate and Blood Flow with Lasers
This patent describes a wearable device that uses a single laser and two different optical sensors—an image sensor and a photodiode—to measure both blood flow patterns (SPG) and blood volume changes (PPG) from biological tissue.
Original patent title: “Optical sensor module”
This patent describes a wearable device that uses a single laser and two different optical sensors—an image sensor and a photodiode—to measure both blood flow patterns (SPG) and blood volume changes (PPG) from biological tissue. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent details a wearable device equipped with a special optical sensor module. This module uses an image sensor to capture light reflected from your body tissue, and a separate photodiode to do the same. A single laser light source illuminates the tissue, and both sensors pick up the reflected light. The image sensor processes its data to create a speckleplethysmography (SPG) measurement, which shows tiny changes in blood flow, while the photodiode processes its data for a photoplethysmography (PPG) measurement, which tracks changes in blood volume. A key feature is that the distance between the image sensor and the photodiode is less than half the distance between the image sensor and the laser light source. For example, a smartwatch could use this to get more detailed heart health data.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover non-wearable devices that perform similar optical measurements.
- Does not cover systems that use light sources other than a laser to illuminate the tissue.
- Does not cover devices that do not include both an image sensor and a photodiode for measurement.
- Does not cover devices where the distance between the image sensor and photodiode is 50% or more of the distance between the image sensor and the light source.
- Does not cover systems that only generate either SPG or PPG measurements, but not both simultaneously.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in integrating both an image sensor for detailed speckle patterns (SPG) and a photodiode for overall blood volume changes (PPG) into a single, compact optical module within a wearable device, all while using one laser and a specific sensor arrangement for optimal data capture.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Smartwatches with advanced health tracking
Fitness trackers monitoring heart rate and blood oxygen
Wearable medical sensors for continuous vital sign monitoring
Smart rings with health features
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Combining both SPG and PPG measurements in a single, compact wearable device could offer more comprehensive and accurate insights into cardiovascular health. PPG is widely used for heart rate, but SPG can detect more subtle blood flow dynamics, potentially identifying issues earlier or with greater precision. This could lead to more advanced health monitoring features in consumer devices and medical wearables.
Filed
May 17, 2024
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies like Apple, Samsung, Google, and Fitbit are continuously investing in advanced health monitoring technologies for their wearable devices. Medical device manufacturers such as Masimo and Philips are also exploring more sophisticated optical sensing for continuous patient monitoring. Startups in the digital health space are also developing next-generation wearables that leverage multi-modal sensing for deeper health insights.
Market impact
This type of technology aims to enhance the accuracy and richness of health data collected by wearable devices, potentially moving them beyond basic fitness tracking into more serious health diagnostics. It could enable new features for detecting cardiovascular conditions or stress levels with greater precision, driving innovation in the wearable health market. This could also lead to more robust data for clinical trials and remote patient monitoring, expanding the utility of consumer electronics in healthcare.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent details a wearable device equipped with a special optical sensor module. This module uses an image sensor to capture light reflected from your body tissue, and a separate photodiode to do the same. A single laser light source illuminates the tissue, and both sensors pick up the reflected light. The image sensor processes its data to create a speckleplethysmography (SPG) measurement, which shows tiny changes in blood flow, while the photodiode processes its data for a photoplethysmography (PPG) measurement, which tracks changes in blood volume. A key feature is that the distance between the image sensor and the photodiode is less than half the distance between the image sensor and the laser light source. For example, a smartwatch could use this to get more detailed heart health data.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in integrating both an image sensor for detailed speckle patterns (SPG) and a photodiode for overall blood volume changes (PPG) into a single, compact optical module within a wearable device, all while using one laser and a specific sensor arrangement for optimal data capture.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover non-wearable devices that perform similar optical measurements.
- Does not cover systems that use light sources other than a laser to illuminate the tissue.
- Does not cover devices that do not include both an image sensor and a photodiode for measurement.
- Does not cover devices where the distance between the image sensor and photodiode is 50% or more of the distance between the image sensor and the light source.
- Does not cover systems that only generate either SPG or PPG measurements, but not both simultaneously.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$26K – $84K
Midpoint $53K · 17.6 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). How a Wearable Device Measures Heart Rate and Blood Flow with Lasers (U.S. Patent No. 12,733,827). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733827/optical-sensor-module
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How a Wearable Device Measures Heart Rate and Blood Flow with Lasers cover?
This patent describes a wearable device that uses a single laser and two different optical sensors—an image sensor and a photodiode—to measure both blood flow patterns (SPG) and blood volume changes (PPG) from biological tissue.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Combining both SPG and PPG measurements in a single, compact wearable device could offer more comprehensive and accurate insights into cardiovascular health. PPG is widely used for heart rate, but SPG can detect more subtle blood flow dynamics, potentially identifying issues earlier or with greater precision. This could lead to more advanced health monitoring features in consumer devices and medical wearables.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover non-wearable devices that perform similar optical measurements.
Patent monitoring