The new wavelength combination supports both heart rate monitoring and AGE measurements.
By Stephan Haslbeck, Product & Marketing Manager, ams OSRAM
Modern wearables have become increasingly sophisticated in capturing real-time physiological data, including heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and other vital signals. These measurements provide meaningful insights into the body’s current state and underpin a broad and growing range of health and monitoring applications.
At the same time, many physiological changes develop gradually and are not directly visible in momentary readings alone. For device developers, this raises an important question: how to complement real-time data with information that captures broader physiological trends.
Accessing new physiological information
One emerging approach is the non-invasive measurement of Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) via skin autofluorescence.
AGE-related signals reflect biological processes that build up over time and therefore provide a different type of physiological information compared to established vital signs. While established parameters capture the current physiological state (and can indeed be analysed over longer periods as well), AGE measurement offers insight into cumulative processes that are not directly apparent in momentary readings.
For wearable systems, this opens up an opportunity to move beyond isolated data points towards a more complete understanding of physiological context, without replacing existing parameters.
Normalized spectral distribution of the multi‑chip LED SFH 7019 and the matching photodiode SFH 2705U.
From concept to integration
Translating these measurement approaches into compact devices has been a key challenge. Optical sensing requires precise control of excitation and detection, particularly when multiple signals need to be handled within a single system.
Recent advances in multi-wavelength optical components demonstrate how different sensing methods can be combined within one architecture, enabling additional functionality while maintaining the size and robustness required for wearable and point-of-care applications.
Expanding wearable capabilities
Combining established vital signs with additional physiological indicators expands the overall information available to wearable systems. Rather than positioning these signals as alternatives, they complement each other by offering different perspectives on physiological condition and development.
This is particularly relevant for applications in prevention and long-term monitoring, where understanding trends and context becomes increasingly important.
Read the full article to discover how AGE measurement is implemented in wearable systems
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