Award Title: Developing LifeLight: A contactless vital signs monitor for CVD screening
Funder: Department of Health and Social Care

Abstract: Research question: Is Lifelight® technology clinically efficacious and safe?  Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of mortality with 28% of UK deaths attributed to it. CVD risk is highly modifiable however steps to reduce CVD risk can only be made if these individuals are detected. The leading risk factor for CVD is hypertension and hence Public Health England aims to diagnose an additional 3.7 million cases of hypertension by 2029.   Lifelight® is the world s first contactless method for measuring vital signs, including blood pressure. The contactless and software nature of this CE marked technology means it overcomes issues of conventional methods for measuring vital signs that make hypertension screening unfeasible. Its advantages over traditional methods means it could also be useful for helping people with hypertension to keep their blood pressure at safe levels.  Aims and Objectives: Collect clinical data to improve Lifelight® accuracy for measuring blood pressure and other vital signs. Trial primary endpoint is progression of the technology s performance closer to standard-of-care efficacy levels (e.g. automatic blood pressure machine). Collect data and patient feedback and strengthen strategic relationships with NHS and PHE to prepare for real-world implementation.  Methods: Prospective multi-centre trial conducted at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust and Barts Health NHS Trust collecting artificial intelligence training and testing data from 10,000 people. Collection of vital sign measurement timing data to assess cost-saving opportunity of CVD screening use case and patient feedback on the concept.   Timelines for delivery: 24-month project incorporating a 12-month trial.  Anticipated Impact and Dissemination: Project outputs include publications in The Lancet, attendance at major clinical conferences, and health economics model. If future real-world implementation is successful and rolled out nationally, application of the technology for CVD screening and hypertension monitoring could save UK health and social care £210 million over 10 years.

Lay Abstract: Lifelight® is an app for measuring the pressure in your blood vessels (blood pressure), how fast your heart beats (heart rate), how fast you are breathing (respiratory rate), and how much oxygen you have in your blood (oxygen saturation). These are essential “vital signs”. All you need to do is look at the camera in your smartphone or tablet for 20-40 seconds. Previously, the app has used data from nearly 10,000 people to learn how to measure these vital signs as well as some technologies already used by doctors and nurses.  AIMS: Make Lifelight® even better at measuring vital signs, especially for a broader range of people. It is important to make the blood pressure measurements more accurate so that the technology can be used to find people with abnormally high blood pressure who do not already know that they have high blood pressure. Get ready for a future project where Lifelight® can be used to find these people.  BACKGROUND: Lifelight® is already available for doctors and nurses to use on their patients. Some changes need to be made so that patients and the public can use the app and so that it can give doctors and nurses the information they need to find people with abnormally high blood pressure in an efficient, effective and economical way. This diagnosis will mean they can give these people the medicines they need so they are less likely to have a heart attack or stroke.  WORKPLAN: This 24-month project has 7 work packages (WP):  WP1: Collect the data Lifelight® needs to be able to measure high blood pressure more accurately.  WP2: Build this new learning into the app.  WP3: Make the app available for people with Android or Apple phones or tablets.  WP4: Create lots of interest for the app to be used across the country in future.  WP5: Get ready for the future project where the app is used to find people with high blood pressure who do not already know they have it.  WP6: Make sure the new app meets all necessary regulations.  WP7: Make sure the project meets its aims.  PPI: 10,000 patients and the public at two hospitals will give the data needed to let the app learn how to measure blood pressure more accurately. Xim will talk with patients, public and people managing the NHS to work out the best way to get Lifelight® into the hands of people most likely to have high blood pressure but who are not aware of it.  DISSEMINATION AND OUTCOMES: Xim will let people know about its work by publishing articles in prominent journals and magazines, posting updates on social media, and speaking at conferences.

Research Activity Codes: 4.2 EVALUATION OF MARKERS AND TECHNOLOGIES;7.3 MANAGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING
Health Categories: CARDIOVASCULAR