Rockley Photonics, after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2023, is making a comeback with its Bioptx biosensing wearables. The company recently announced that it has started sampling the wearable device and its associated cloud-based platform with potential customers and partners. The Bioptx biosensing band works like a smartwatch. It uses LED-based photoplethysmography (PPG) technology and Rockley's short-wave infrared (SWIR) laser-based spectroscopy to track multiple biomarkers without touching the body.
The wearable device, which can monitor six data points, including body hydration and temperature, heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, and blood oxygen saturation, aims to provide users with insights into their well-being. The technology uses Rockley's miniaturized photonic integrated circuit (PIC) chips, embedded with SWIR laser-based spectroscopy. While the current version is designed for casual use, the company envisions future iterations to be medical-grade.
Despite lacking FDA clearance, the Bioptx band offers a cloud-based platform that compiles collected readings into a single location. The platform is accessible through Rockley's API Developer Platform, allowing researchers and companies to adapt the hardware and software for their health-tracking needs. Rockley emphasizes that the current version of the device is not intended for medical diagnosis or treatment.
Rockley Photonics’ CEO Andrew Rickman expressed excitement about introducing the next generation of health monitoring with wearable laser-based technology. He highlighted the company's progress in SWIR-tissue measurement science and biomarker algorithms through IRB-approved human studies. Rickman hinted at future upgrades, referencing the company's work on noninvasive glucose monitoring and cuffless blood pressure studies. Preliminary results on the noninvasive glucose monitor showed promising accuracy in measuring blood sugar levels. Rockley Photonics is positioning itself at the forefront of advancing laser-based biosensors for enhanced human health understanding.
The revival of Rockley Photonics after its bankruptcy proceedings underscores the company's commitment to pushing the boundaries of health technology and providing innovative solutions to consumers. As the wearables market continues to evolve, Rockley's Bioptx biosensing band reflects the ongoing efforts to merge technology and health for improved well-being management.
