BC researcher’s personal health challenges spark medical breakthrough in blood pressure monitoring 

The challenge: Making blood pressure monitoring accessible and continuous 

High blood pressure is closely associated with chronic disease and increased mortality, leading to an urgent need for active monitoring systems. Traditional blood pressure machines require at least one minute for each measurement and lack the portability needed for continuous home monitoring. Finding devices that can track blood pressure in real-time with high portability and user comfort remains a critical need. Many researchers, like Mitacs Innovation Award winner Dr. Tae-Ho Kim, are committed to developing healthcare technologies that provide inclusive care for all individuals. 

The solution: Transforming a doctor’s visit frustration into innovation 

Dr. Tae-Ho Kim exemplifies how Mitacs funding bridges academic expertise with industry to solve real-world challenges. His research, supported by Mitacs, connected him with Medtronic, a global healthcare technology leader working to advance hospital-at-home technologies in B.C., creating a unique opportunity to develop practical monitoring solutions. 

Kim is redefining what it means to innovate in healthcare technology. As a Simon Fraser University postdoctoral fellow in the Biomechatronic Systems Laboratory under Professor Dr. Edward J. Park, he brought personal experience to a widespread problem. Dealing with his own hypertension, he noticed his doctor had to spend extra time obtaining multiple blood pressure readings using a traditional arm cuff device. That frustration sparked a research question that would lead to breakthrough innovation. Today, Kim stands out as the inventor of a first-of-its-kind self-powered continuous blood pressure monitor – a neckband with earphones that provides measurements every few seconds. 

“It led me to ask research questions, such as if we could use small sensors to track how blood flows through the body instead of a cuff,” said Dr. Tae-Ho Kim, Postdoctoral Fellow, Simon Fraser University. “Then I wondered, if such a device could be made, could we also make it more energy efficient, to be used anytime, anywhere? Through Mitacs, I was very fortunate to work with experts who helped me understand market needs and guided me towards conducting more practical research.” 

The outcome: Bold innovation tackles continuous health monitoring 

Kim’s success demonstrates the ripple effects of strategic support for research innovation. Through Mitacs funding, he gained the resources to pursue groundbreaking discoveries and connect with industry partners, bringing practical solutions closer to patients’ homes. 

The breakthrough came when Kim developed sensors that harvest energy from touch to detect pulse signals, reducing energy loss while maintaining high sensing abilities. The neckband works by detecting blood flow between two points and using the information to calculate blood pressure. Unlike traditional machines that require at least one minute per measurement, Kim’s device continuously updates readings every few seconds, without delay. 

The prototype was fabricated using waste plastic and is integrated with additional sensors (ECG and PPG) for continuous monitoring of other cardiac systems, such as electrical activity and changes in blood volume. The Bluetooth-enabled earphone attachment enables users to listen to music while their pressure is being monitored on a computer or smartphone. The device allows for monitoring in different postures – sitting, lying down, or standing – in different acoustic conditions, opening doors to further study about the impact of music therapy on heart health. 

Dr. Tae-Ho Kim’s groundbreaking work earned him a Mitacs Innovation Award in Outstanding Innovation. He is one of only 11 Mitacs award winners nationally, chosen from thousands of researchers who participate in Mitacs programs each year. The award was presented at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on November 17, 2025. 

His journey illustrates that by deploying skilled talent and building the capacity to innovate, Mitacs can impact the economy, workforce and society. 

Talent in action: Strengthening innovation capacity 

Mitacs continues to strengthen innovation capacity in British Columbia and across the country while driving global competitiveness. Mitacs supports researchers to deliver hands-on, industry-responsive solutions that strengthen local economies and accelerate innovation development. 

Dr. Tae-Ho Kim’s journey highlights the transformative impact of academic-industry collaboration. His work with Medtronic through the Mitacs program enabled him to understand market needs and conduct practical research that addresses real-world healthcare challenges. 

“As a research engineer and scholar, my goal is to contribute to society through the development of healthcare technologies that provide inclusive healthcare for all individuals,” Dr. Kim said. “Now that we’ve shown we can enable real-time, low-cost cuffless blood pressure measurement with a high degree of portability and user comfort, it’s my hope to see this device in user’s homes.”   

For millions of Canadians managing hypertension and chronic disease, Mitacs’ investment in ideas that address real-world challenges brings hope for more accessible, continuous health monitoring at home.

About Mitacs  

For over 25 years, Mitacs has helped grow the economy and develop the workforce of tomorrow, connecting industry with academia and global partners to solve real-world challenges. We support business-academic research collaboration through internships, co-funded with businesses, for undergraduate to graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.   

As a national innovation connector, Mitacs takes a talent-first approach to strengthen innovation capacity and drive global competitiveness. We serve as an essential research-commercialization bridge, accelerating market entry and growth for new products and services.   

This is a critical time for Canada to think big and take bold action. Mitacs is ready to help build a strong and resilient Canadian economy, powered by ideas, talent and innovation.   

Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon.