General Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How does Vitals™ measure vital signs?

Vitals™ leverages remote photoplethysmography (rPPG) technology. Our AI-powered algorithms analyze subtle color changes on the face caused by blood flow, extracting vital sign information.

2. Is the Vitals™ Health Assessment accurate?

PanopticAI's technology has received FDA 510(k) clearance as a Class II medical device for pulse rate measurement (K240890). The Vitals™ Health Assessment has been rigorously validated in clinical and home settings against medical-grade vital sign monitoring equipment. The subjects of studies vary in age, gender, skin tone, and health conditions, ensuring that the technology is reliable across a wide demographic spectrum. The validation results have been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and have shown that it is accurate comparable to, and in some cases exceeding, that of traditional contact-based devices.

3. What is the accuracy of the Pulse Rate measurement?

PanopticAI's technology has received FDA 510(k) clearance as a Class II medical device for pulse rate measurement (K240890), with an accuracy of ± 3 bpm, compared to the gold standard for pulse assessment: the electrocardiogram (ECG).

4. What is the accuracy of the Blood Pressure measurement?

Vitals™ measures blood pressure with an accuracy of ± 10 mmHg. Regulatory clearance coming soon.

5. Why should people use the Vitals™ Health Assessment?

The Vitals™ Health Assessment is built on the principle that knowledge about one's health is the first step towards managing it well. Regularly monitoring one's key vital signs – such as heart rate, respiration rate, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure, can alert them to changes in their health, guiding them towards timely interventions and better healthcare outcomes.

This user-friendly, non-invasive method allows for regular health checks without the need for traditional contact-based devices. Whether they're focused on maintaining optimal health, staying ahead of potential health issues, managing chronic conditions, or tracking their fitness progress, the Vitals™ Health Assessment can support them throughout all stages of their health and wellness journey.

6. How often should the Vitals™ Health Assessment be used?

The ideal frequency for using the Vitals™ Health Assessment depends on various factors, including personal health objectives, any underlying health conditions, and fitness goals. For routine wellness checks, a weekly review of the vitals could suffice. However, if one is actively managing a specific health condition or is engaged in a fitness regimen that requires close monitoring, daily or even multiple assessments throughout the day may be recommended. To determine the most appropriate frequency for one's circumstances, it's best to seek guidance from a healthcare provider.

7. Does Vitals™ support all skin types?

Vitals™ fully supports skin types I to VI based on the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Classification.

8. Is Vitals™ suitable for pediatric use?

Vitals™ is currently intended for adult use only. We are actively developing and validating our technology for pediatric applications.

9. Does makeup limit the accuracy of Vitals™?

Light makeup does not significantly affect the accuracy of Vitals™ readings. Our clinical trials found that light makeup can sometimes be beneficial by reducing unwanted light reflections on the face.

10. Is Vitals™ a medical device?

PanopticAI's technology has received FDA 510(k) clearance as a Class II medical device for pulse rate measurement (K240890). However, Vitals™ is intended for health monitoring and informational purposes only, and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. The measurements provided should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals for any health concerns before making any healthcare decisions.

11. Can Vitals™ replace visits to the doctor?

Vitals™ is a valuable tool for health monitoring but is not intended to replace professional medical advice or treatment. If you have any health concerns or require medical attention, please consult with qualified healthcare professionals.

12. What if my results differ from my traditional contact-based device?

The Vitals™ Health Assessment provides an average reading over a 30-second period for a comprehensive view of your vitals, in contrast to traditional contact-based devices that offer a snapshot at a single moment. Variations in results may be due to differences in technology, measurement sites, or even natural physiological changes. To ensure the most accurate comparison, it is essential to use both devices correctly as instructed, and ideally, take the measurements simultaneously. For any health concerns, always consult a healthcare professional.

13. How does the Vitals™ Health Assessment ensure the health data remains consistent over time?

The Vitals™ Health Assessment uses advanced algorithms that are regularly updated to maintain the accuracy and consistency of the health data. To ensure data reliability, end users should closely follow the user guidelines for each assessment. We recommend using the Vitals™ Health Assessment under similar conditions each time for the best consistency.

14. What should I do if I receive an abnormal reading from my Vitals™ Health Assessment?

If an abnormal reading appears after your Vitals™ Health Assessment, first remain calm and consider any factors that might have influenced the result. Ensure that you are in a relaxed state, in a suitable environment for the test (with good lighting and minimal noise), and that you are following the user guidelines closely, including proper positioning and camera handling. Refrain from taking measurements right after physical exertion or during moments of stress, as these can temporarily affect your vital signs.

Retake the measurement after a short period of rest, ensuring that you are seated comfortably and that your device is correctly positioned according to the instructions. If the reading remains outside the normal range or if you experience any symptoms of concern, it is crucial to seek advice from a healthcare professional. They can provide a comprehensive evaluation and determine whether the reading is a sign of a health issue that needs attention.

15. Is the Vitals™ Health Assessment a medical diagnosis?

The Vitals™ Health Assessment is a health-monitoring tool designed to provide valuable insights into one's vital signs for informational purposes. The measurements provided should not be treated as medical advice or to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent a disease, ailment or injury. While it offers accurate information that can help to track and manage one's health, any health concerns or abnormalities detected by the Vitals™ Health Assessment should be followed up with a healthcare professional.

16. What are the device requirements for using the Vitals™ Health Assessment?

The Vitals™ Health Assessment is optimised for a wide range of contemporary smartphones, tablets, and personal computers. For optimal performance, a device should have a camera with a minimum resolution of 720p. We advise using the Vitals™ Health Assessment on devices with the latest iOS or Android operating systems to ensure a fluid experience.

For accurate health measurements, ensure the camera lens is clean; a swift wipe with a soft, microfiber cloth can remove any obstructions. Also, avoid using the app in low power mode, as it may limit the processing power required for the Vitals™ Health Assessment to work correctly. Make sure your device is well-charged or plugged in when conducting your health check.

17. What is the “liveness detection” feature of the Vitals™ Health Assessment?

Our rPPG technology is built to measure biomarkers by detecting subtle colour changes in the skin caused by blood flow in living subjects — this is its scientific foundation and primary strength. However, you might observe that the system occasionally generates outputs when analysing a static image, like a photograph. This doesn’t undermine our core principle; instead, it highlights the sophistication of our algorithms and their interaction with real-world conditions. When processing a static photo, two phenomena can occur:

• Pattern Recognition: Our system, trained on extensive datasets of live subjects, may interpret static visual cues — such as colour gradients or shading in the image — as resembling the patterns of blood flow it’s designed to detect. These outputs are inferences based on learned correlations, not real-time physiological measurements.
• Environmental Influence: If a photograph is held in front of the camera, subtle signals can emerge from external factors. For instance, most artificial light sources (e.g., LEDs or fluorescent bulbs) flicker at frequencies imperceptible to the human eye but detectable by cameras. This flicker, combined with slight movements of the photograph — such as hand tremors or air currents — can introduce dynamic changes in the captured image. Our sensitive algorithms may pick up these variations and interpret them as a weak signal, even though they don’t originate from blood flow.

These edge-case outputs demonstrate the robustness and sensitivity of our technology. However, for accurate physiological monitoring, we recommend using rPPG with live subjects, where it delivers reliable, non-invasive insights validated by its core principle. Based on these facts, we built the “liveness detection” feature and it can be easily enabled. With it enabled, the system will force you to rescan if the scanned subject doesn't blink.