The Technology
Current hormonal monitoring technologies remain limited in accuracy, accessibility, and usability. Blood testing, the clinical gold standard since the 1960s, is invasive, costly, and provides only a single snapshot in time, failing to capture the dynamic fluctuations of hormones throughout the menstrual cycle. Subdermal implants offer continuous measurement but require surgical insertion and raise concerns related to biocompatibility and long-term safety. Urine-based ovulation tests detect only luteinizing hormone surges and are primarily effective for women with regular cycles, offering limited insight into broader hormonal patterns. Digital tracking applications rely on self-reported data rather than biological measurements, while wearable devices measure indirect physiological parameters such as temperature or heart rate, which are influenced by external factors and do not directly reflect hormone levels. As a result, there is currently no truly non-invasive, continuous, and biologically direct solution for real-time hormonal monitoring.
The proposed solution is a wearable nanosensor-based system that continuously monitors volatile organic compounds emitted from the skin to assess menstrual cycle phases and hormonal changes in real time. By leveraging the discovery that skin-emitted volatile biomarkers correlate with fluctuations in key reproductive hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, FSH, and LH, the system enables direct biochemical monitoring without the need for blood sampling or surgical intervention. The device integrates a multi-channel chemical sensor array within a flexible electronic platform that includes wireless energy harvesting, onboard memory, and real-time data communication.
Advantages
- Reproductive & Fertility – Ovulation prediction, Fertility optimization, IVF cycle management, IUI timing optimization, Birth control feedback
- Hormonal Disorder Management – PCOS, Endometriosis, Chronic anovulation, Thyroid-related cycle disruption, Menopause monitoring
- Precision Therapeutics – Real-time hormone therapy adjustment, Medication dosing optimization, Personalized treatment protocols
- Clinical Research – Continuous hormonal datasets for trials, Improved understanding of female endocrinology, Drug development insights
Applications and Opportunities:
- FemTech
- Fertility clinics and IVF centers
- Endocrinology clinics
- Digital health platforms
- Clinical research organizations
- Consumer health wearables
Business Development Contacts
