NextVitals · developer of NextBP

Blood pressure that keeps up with emergency care

NextVitals is developing NextBP, a finger-based blood pressure module designed to connect to the monitor/defibrillators and vital signs monitors that paramedics and emergency clinicians already use.

NextBP is in development. It is not approved for clinical use or sale in any market.

A patient's finger in the NextBP sensor, connected by cable to a side port on a rugged ambulance monitor/defibrillator. The monitor screen shows heart rate, oxygen saturation and a highlighted NextBP blood pressure reading. HR 82 SpO2 97 NextBP 121/78 (92)
Ambulance and emergencyMonitor/defibrillators
A patient's finger in the NextBP sensor, connected by cable to a side port on a hospital vital signs monitor mounted on a wheeled stand. The screen shows patient waveforms and a highlighted NextBP blood pressure reading. ECG II Pleth HR 76 SpO2 98 NextBP 118/74 (89)
HospitalVital signs monitors

Illustrations of the intended setup. The finger sensor connects to a port on the existing monitor and readings appear on its own screen, alongside the existing cuff.

The problem

When the patient is sickest, the reading is least reliable

Ambulances and emergency departments rely on the upper-arm cuff. Published comparisons with invasive arterial measurement show it is least dependable in the patients where accuracy matters most.

“The sicker the patient, the less reliable the blood pressure reading.”
Paramedic, NextVitals voice-of-customer interviews

We interviewed 37 clinicians across six specialties in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Paramedics and emergency clinicians described the clearest need: a device that is quick to apply, measures repeatably in rapid succession and stays reliable in a moving vehicle.

An upper-arm blood pressure cuff on a patient's arm with the sleeve pushed up, connected by tubing to a monitor that is still measuring. NIBP --- / --- Measuring
Today: sleeves off, patient still, and a slow wait for each reading
An ambulance driving with its emergency lights on.
In transit: vehicle motion makes cuff readings slow and unreliable
Our approach

A finger sensor that works with the monitor already on the ambulance or at the bedside

4×faster to the first measurement
6×more frequent repeated measurements

Measured on our demonstration video, with the NextBP prototype side by side with an automated arm cuff.

Applied like a pulse oximeter

The sensor goes on any finger, so there are no sleeves to remove and nothing to position on the arm.

Modelled for each patient

Current devices assume every patient is like the population average. NextBP builds an individualised model for each patient and keeps it updated, which matters most for the critically unwell.

Part of existing equipment

NextBP connects to the monitor clinicians already use. Readings appear on the familiar screen and the existing cuff stays available.

We plan to supply NextBP to monitor and defibrillator manufacturers as a module, so it reaches clinicians inside equipment they already know and services have no extra device to manage.

Progress

From university research to a translated device

  1. 2018
    New measuring principle for blood pressure conceived at Auckland University of Technology
  2. 2019
    NZ Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Endeavour Smart Ideas funding received
  3. 2020
    Principles observed in simulation studies
  4. 2022
    Proof of concept in phantom studies
  5. 2024
    Proof of concept in human studies
  6. 2025
    NZ MedTech Translator Stage 2 funding received
  7. 2026
    NZ KiwiNet Tier 2 PreSeed Accelerator Funding received
  8. 2026
    Working Alpha prototype and company formedThe prototype has been tested at rest, during exercise, in a cold chamber and in a moving vehicle. NextVitals Pty Ltd was formed to commercialise the technology, and an Australian provisional patent application has been filed.
  9. 2026
    Millennium exercise studyIn 19 participants on a cycle ergometer, NextBP tracked systolic pressure from 90 to 190 mmHg against auscultation through staged exercise. Participants rated it more comfortable than the arm cuff, 4.89 versus 3.67 out of 5.
  10. Q4 2026
    Beta prototype UnderwayThe Beta device is being developed with an ISO 13485 certified engineering partner. It will fit a wider range of finger sizes and use a smaller pressure mechanism.
  11. Q4 2026–Q1 2027
    First invasive study PlannedA study in New Zealand comparing NextBP with invasive arterial measurement in surgical patients against ISO 81060-3, subject to ethics approval.
  12. Q1 2027
    Demonstrations to monitor manufacturers PlannedShowing the Beta device to monitor/defibrillator and vital signs manufacturers to confirm interest and identify lead partners.
  13. Q1–Q2 2027
    User testing PlannedParamedics and emergency clinicians using the Beta device in realistic scenarios.
  14. Q2–Q3 2027
    Requirements discovery with lead partners PlannedDefining the integration, regulatory and quality requirements a partner needs before a formal development agreement.
  15. Q3 2027–Q3 2028
    Translated Device and further clinical study PlannedA device built to partner requirements under ISO 13485 design controls, followed by accuracy and usability studies.
Team

Founders

Ryan McCarthy
Co-founder & CEO

Ryan McCarthy

Sixteen years as a senior executive at Stryker. From 2017 he led Stryker's Medical Division across Asia Pacific, including its ambulance, emergency and ICU portfolio, growing the division from A$30 million to more than A$200 million.

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Professor Andrew Lowe
Co-founder & CTO

Professor Andrew Lowe

Professor at Auckland University of Technology. Previously spent 15 years as CTO and Managing Director of Pulsecor, taking a non-invasive cardiovascular product with blood pressure functions through FDA and European certification, worldwide licensing and trade sale.

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Contact

Get in touch

For more information about NextVitals or NextBP, please get in touch.