A new startup affiliated with Cornell University, SensVita, is pioneering a touchless platform for monitoring heart and lung health using radio waves. Unlike traditional wearable devices and hospital monitors, SensVita aims to provide clinical-grade health tracking without wires, electrodes, or any physical contact with the patient. This innovative approach positions the company at the forefront of remote healthcare technology.
Innovative Technology Behind SensVita
SensVita’s technology leverages near-field radio frequency sensing to detect subtle physiological movements within the body. The sensors can be integrated into furniture, clothing, or positioned in a room, continuously monitoring cardiac and respiratory metrics with minimal burden on patients. This non-invasive method has the potential to deliver real-time health data without the complexities associated with conventional monitoring devices.
The technology originates from research conducted in the laboratory of Edwin Kan, a professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Cornell. Students and researchers developed systems that direct electromagnetic signals into body tissues, enabling the detection of movements such as heartbeats and blood flow. Thomas Conroy, a doctoral candidate, translated this research into the startup, founding SensVita in 2023.
“I began working on noninvasive touchless health sensors when I joined Cornell in 2019,” Conroy stated. “Over five years, I took that technology and founded SensVita.” His father, James Conroy, joined him, bringing valuable experience from the medical device industry.
Market Potential and Future Goals
SensVita has recently joined the Praxis Center for Venture Development, an incubator aimed at helping engineering and technology startups achieve self-sufficiency. The startup’s vision is to create a commercial product that health systems, chronically ill patients, and remote monitoring providers can utilize. In February 2025, SensVita secured a $305,000 Phase I STTR grant from the National Science Foundation, furthering its goal of advancing its technology toward pilot studies and eventual commercialization.
The startup is specifically targeting chronic disease management, focusing on conditions such as heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and sleep apnea. Conroy emphasizes the importance of continuous data to identify subtle declines in health before they necessitate costly hospitalizations. “We are focused on people at high risk for going back to the hospital,” he said.
The remote monitoring market is expanding rapidly, as healthcare systems increasingly recognize the economic burden of frequent hospital readmissions. SensVita’s approach is designed to complement existing technologies like ECGs and imaging, filling a gap in continuous baseline monitoring.
As demand grows for passive, noninvasive health technologies, SensVita’s model is particularly appealing for home settings and among patients who resist traditional wearable devices. Before the technology can be tested on humans, animal trials will be conducted to observe vital signs for changes in heart and lung health. Access to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell will facilitate this initial testing phase.
If successful, SensVita could emerge as a significant player in the remote patient monitoring (RPM) sector, which is increasingly supported by healthcare reimbursement policies. Bob Scharf, academic administrative director at Praxis, notes that “this technology is covered by multiple Cornell patents,” highlighting the institution’s leadership in this innovative field. With resources available through the Praxis Center, SensVita has access to advanced instrumentation that would be challenging to replicate outside the university environment.
The venture reflects a growing trend towards home-based care, driven by the need for efficient monitoring solutions that can alleviate pressures on healthcare systems while improving patient outcomes. As SensVita continues to develop its technology, it holds promise for transforming how chronic health conditions are managed in nonclinical environments.
