The World's Smallest PPG Sensor Head

Rhea-AI Summary

SCIVAX and TSLC , a SemiLEDs (NASDAQ:LEDS) subsidiary, have jointly developed the world's smallest PPG (PhotoPlethysmoGraphy) sensor head. The breakthrough device will be showcased at the 'Touch Taiwan' exhibition in Taipei from April 16-18, 2025, with evaluation samples available in April 2025.

The new PPG sensor head features a mounting area of approximately 1 square millimeter, achieving a 90% size reduction compared to conventional devices, while its thickness is reduced by half. Key advantages include:

• Minimal size enabling installation in previously inaccessible narrow spaces
• Multiple deployment capability for precise sensing and blood flow measurement
• Cost-effective resin package design with integrated light source and optical sensor

The development leverages SCIVAX's nano-imprinted lens technology and optical lens design, combined with TSLC's advanced packaging expertise. The companies aim to expand applications into vital sensors, beauty applications, home healthcare, and nursing sectors.

Positive

• Breakthrough development of world's smallest PPG sensor head, 90% smaller than conventional devices
• Cost-effective design through integrated resin package
• Versatile applications across healthcare, beauty, and nursing sectors
• Enhanced functionality through multiple deployment capability

Negative

• None.

Insights

Technology Innovation Analyst

SemiLEDs' subsidiary TSLC and SCIVAX have developed a breakthrough miniaturized PPG sensor head that represents significant technical innovation in vital sensing technology. The new sensor achieves a 90% reduction in mounting area (just 1 square millimeter) and 50% reduction in thickness compared to conventional devices.

The technical achievement leverages SCIVAX's nano-imprinted lens technology combined with TSLC's advanced packaging capabilities, building on their previous collaboration that produced the Amtelus® light source device. The integrated molded resin package design that combines both light source and optical sensor elements creates substantial cost advantages over traditional approaches.

What makes this development particularly noteworthy is the potential for deploying these sensors in arrays, enabling more precise vital measurements even in confined spaces. This miniaturization breakthrough directly addresses key constraints in wearable device design where component size and power consumption are critical limiting factors.

While currently at the sample evaluation stage, this innovation could strengthen SemiLEDs' position in the specialized optoelectronics market, potentially opening new customer opportunities in wearable technology, beauty applications, and healthcare monitoring devices where space constraints have previously implementation.

Medical Device Market Specialist

This sensor innovation comes at a strategic time when the medical wearables market is demanding increasingly discreet, integrated vital monitoring. The PPG (PhotoPlethysmoGraphy) sensor technology is fundamental to modern health monitors, enabling non-invasive measurement of heart rate, blood oxygen, and potentially blood pressure.

The 10x size reduction represents a meaningful competitive advantage in a market where form factor is critical. Conventional PPG sensors have faced limitations in placement and application due to their size, but this breakthrough potentially enables integration into a much wider range of devices beyond traditional smartwatches.

The multi-array deployment capability is particularly significant as it addresses signal quality issues that have plagued single-point measurements. Multiple measurement points can substantially improve accuracy and reliability of readings - critical factors for medical-adjacent applications.

For SemiLEDs, this represents potential diversification beyond their traditional LED lighting focus into higher-value specialized sensing components. The emphasis on cost advantages is notable, as pricing pressure remains intense in consumer health technology. If this technology delivers on its promise of smaller size, better performance, and lower cost, it could provide meaningful competitive differentiation for the company in the health monitoring component supply chain.

KAWASAKI, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SCIVAX Corporation (Headquarters: Kawasaki Japan, President: Satoru Tanaka, hereinafter referred to as "SCIVAX") and TSLC Corporation, a SemiLEDs Corporation (NASDAQ:LEDS a Delaware company listed in the NASDAQ exchange) wholly owned company announced that SCIVAX+TSLC have developed the world's smallest PPG (PhotoPlethysmoGraphy)* sensor head, which will be presented at the display related technology exhibition ”Touch Taiwan” to be held in Taipei, Taiwan from April 16 to 18, 2025. The samples of the PPG sensor head for evaluation will begin in April 2025.

World's smallest PPG Sensor Head

To date, SCIVAX and TSLC have developed the world's smallest light source device, Amtelus®, by combining our partner’s material technology with SCIVAX's optical lens design technology and TSLC’s advanced packaging technology and have begun shipping samples for evaluation. Utilizing the technology cultivated in SCIVAX’s nano-imprinted lens technology and TSLC’s advanced technology in making Amtelus®, we have succeeded in developing a new product in which the sensor head (signal acquisition part) of PPG sensors, which are used as vital sensors in smartwatches and other devices, is significantly smaller than conventional products.

This device has a mounting area of approximately 1 square millimeter, which is 1/10 of the conventional device, and the device thickness is about half that of conventional devices, achieving a significant reduction in size compared to conventional devices.

The main features of the PPG sensor head are as follows:

• Minimum size
  By minimizing the mounting area of the PPG sensor head, it is possible to mount it in a narrow space, which was difficult to install in the past.
• Expansion of applications through multiple deployments (arrays)
  By using multiple PPG sensor heads, more precise sensing can be achieved. In addition, by using the sensor head as an array, it is possible to measure blood flow even in a narrow space, so it can be used in beauty applications, home healthcare, and even nursing, for example.
• Low cost
  Since it is a resin package in which the light source and optical sensor are integrally molded, it has a significant cost advantage compared to conventional products.

SCIVAX and TSLC are looking to expand into a variety of fields, including the application of this technology to next-generation life science fields such as vital sensors.

About SCIVAX Corporation

SCIVAX has been a company specializing in nanoimprinting technology since 2004, offering total solution services that include not only the sales of nanoimprint equipment, but also the microfabrication molding technology for achieving large-area, curved and high-precision molding, as we as optical simulation to mold production, etching and inspection.

About TSLC Corporation

TSLC Corporation, a subsidiary of SemiLEDs Corporation (Nasdaq:LEDS), is a technology developer/innovator and leading manufacturer of precision optoelectronic systems, wafer level packaging solutions located in Chu-Nan Site, Hsinchu Science Park, Taiwan. SemiLEDs Corporation incorporated in Delaware in January 2005

* PhotoPlethysmoGraphy (= plethysmography) is a method of measuring pulse waves, which are volumetric changes in blood vessels caused by the beating of the heart, from slight tonal changes that occur in the skin.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250402019875/en/

SCIVAX Corporation

Optical Device Business Div.

Koichi Aida

Tel: +81-44-599-5051

https://www.scivax.com/en/inquiry/

Source: SCIVAX Corporation

FAQ

What are the key features of the new PPG sensor head developed by SCIVAX and TSLC (LEDS)?

The sensor features a 1 square millimeter mounting area (90% smaller than conventional devices), half the thickness of traditional sensors, and enables multiple deployment capabilities for precise sensing.

When will SCIVAX and TSLC (LEDS) begin offering evaluation samples of the new PPG sensor?

Evaluation samples of the PPG sensor head will be available starting April 2025.

What are the potential applications for SCIVAX and TSLC's (LEDS) new PPG sensor technology?

The sensor can be used in vital sensors, beauty applications, home healthcare, nursing, and other life science applications, particularly in narrow spaces.

What cost advantages does the new LEDS PPG sensor head offer?

The sensor offers significant cost advantages due to its resin package design with integrated light source and optical sensor.