A new startup affiliated with Cornell University is pioneering a touchless method for monitoring heart and lung health using radio waves. SensVita aims to develop a clinical-grade sensing platform that can continuously track vital signs without physical contact, offering a potential breakthrough in remote healthcare technology.
SensVita, which has recently joined the Praxis Center for Venture Development—an incubator supporting engineering and science startups—seeks to create a system capable of monitoring patients in their homes. According to Bob Scharf, the academic administrative director at Praxis, “SensVita has a noncontact, passive way of monitoring cardiac activity and breath activity.” The initial target users include patients with memory care needs and neonates, who are often challenging to monitor effectively.
The startup’s approach involves utilizing near-field radio frequency sensing to detect subtle physiological movements within the body. The sensors can be discreetly placed in a room or even embedded in clothing, continuously collecting data on cardiac and respiratory metrics without the need for invasive procedures. This innovative technology originates from research conducted by Edwin Kan, a professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Cornell. His team developed coherent sensing systems that direct electromagnetic signals into body tissue, allowing for the detection of internal movements such as heartbeats and blood flow.
Thomas Conroy, a Ph.D. candidate who founded SensVita in 2023, transitioned this research into a viable business model. “When I joined Cornell electrical engineering in 2019, I began working on noninvasive touchless health sensors,” Conroy explained. He collaborated with his father, James Conroy, who brings valuable experience in the medical device sector. Together, they aspire to advance their sensing platform from prototype to market-ready product, targeting health systems and providers of remote monitoring services.
SensVita has garnered attention not only through its incorporation into Cornell’s entrepreneurial ecosystem but also by securing a $305,000 Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant from the National Science Foundation in February 2025. This funding will aid in advancing their technology toward pilot studies and eventual commercialization.
The startup is specifically focusing on chronic disease management, including conditions such as heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and sleep apnea, which require ongoing monitoring. Conroy emphasized the importance of continuous data collection, stating, “We believe it can catch subtle declines in function before they escalate into costly hospitalizations.”
The market for remote monitoring is significant, with healthcare innovation increasingly centered around reducing hospital readmissions, which can cost billions and strain chronic care systems. “We are focused on people at a high risk for going back to the hospital,” Conroy said, identifying a crucial demographic for their monitoring solution.
SensVita aims to complement existing technologies like ECGs and imaging rather than replace them, filling a crucial gap in continuous baseline monitoring. As interest in passive, noninvasive health technologies grows, SensVita’s model may appeal particularly to home settings, assisted living facilities, and patients resistant to traditional wearable devices.
Before conducting human trials, SensVita plans to test its technology on animals, monitoring vital signs to assess heart and lung health. The partnership with the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell facilitates these animal studies, as noted by Scharf.
Should SensVita’s innovations succeed, the company could become a significant player in the expanding field of remote patient monitoring (RPM). With many healthcare systems now reimbursing for RPM services, the trend toward home-based care is accelerating. SensVita’s unique no-contact approach positions it as an attractive option in a competitive market.
“This is technology covered by multiple Cornell patents. Everyone acknowledges Cornell is the leader in this concept,” Scharf added. With access to advanced instrumentation at Cornell, SensVita is well-equipped to develop its promising technology further.
