Philips dreams up underwear-infused blood pressure monitoring system

Before long, hardware-laden undergarments will be a necessity in life. After all, we've already seen underwear that fends off cellphone radiation, and now Philips is looking to create a pair that actually monitors one's blood pressure continually. A recent patent application from the firm details a "wearable" system, but it does point out that "it is particularly suitable for implementation in a continuously wearable undergarment with integrated measuring sensors or electrodes, so as to be directly in contact with the subject's skin." We can only assume that if these actually make it beyond the drawing board that they'll have an integrated wireless module in order to beam out vitals at all hours of the day, but we're personally a little wary about having all this hardware so close to, um, our hardware.

[Via NewScientistTech]

[Idlemind @ May 19th 2008 6:01PM]

This can only go one way....


....And let the jokes begin...

[BigD145 @ May 19th 2008 6:26PM]

Is that a ________ or are just happy to see me?

[fontendet24 @ May 19th 2008 6:35PM]

Thanks god that trousers is clean...

[paul34 @ May 19th 2008 6:55PM]

You mean about how the system will constantly sound an alarm when meeting that one woman at work?

[Stem $ell @ May 19th 2008 9:50PM]

You are truly prescient, sir...Jock-ularity has ensued!

[Ace b @ May 19th 2008 11:46PM]

So....if they come out with this,do ya think Philips and that Tesla coil guy will collaborate to make an pair of underwear that fends off viruses with a halo of electricity?

I know there are certainly a lot of celebs that would get much use out of that.

[Ayman @ May 20th 2008 8:38AM]

Harold is your Blood pressure rising? Take Down your pants and let me see... ooooh Harold ..........I see not only you blood pressure is rising

[Idlemind @ May 19th 2008 6:02PM]

Wonder where the "cuff" goes....

[Todd @ May 19th 2008 6:06PM]

I will volunteer to test those while I play MGS4. BTW, new MGS4 trailer ( new to me any way ):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9_pEXbkUSE

[mpampir @ May 19th 2008 6:07PM]

is it coming as G-String ???

[TRLK @ May 19th 2008 6:11PM]

Wow, that's something I never expected to see on Engadget, what's next, toilet seat?

Come to think of it, it's curious as to why Engadget hasn't yet mentioned some of the hi-tech toilet bowls in Japan....... those bowls that wash your behind for your?

[derX @ May 19th 2008 6:34PM]

Though not in Japan....
http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/16/totos-z-series-toilets-recalled-due-to-fire-hazard/

And here's a toilet seat AND one of the magical behind-washing mechanisms.
http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/24/holy-crap-mossberg-reviews-toilet-seat/

Oh yes, Engadget covers it all.

[Andrew @ May 19th 2008 6:14PM]

I'm thinking chastity belt... that or:

1. Massive "GOD" wedgie
2. Pain-free circumcision

[couchpundit @ May 19th 2008 6:18PM]

Is that a sphygmomanometer in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

[numbsock @ May 19th 2008 6:20PM]

hmmm wireless? man no way i'd have that near my shlong!

[derX @ May 19th 2008 6:35PM]

I'm going to assume this isn't machine washable.

[TIMMAH! @ May 19th 2008 6:36PM]

Wow, I would hate to get that maliciously hacked into...

[Chicksta @ May 19th 2008 7:16PM]

Don't worry; no one wants to get into your underwear now, this won't change anything.

[Andrew @ May 19th 2008 7:01PM]

hahahahahaha...

Brute Force :D

[BliteKnight @ May 19th 2008 7:05PM]

Ladies - if you ever wanted to know how attracted your boyfriend is to your friends, just slip him one of these bad boys (as long as their clean, he'll never know the difference).

Install monitoring software, then wait for the wireless notifications that let you know what he really thinks of your hot friends ;)

[bartoron @ May 19th 2008 8:07PM]

Don't be a dummy, cum on her tummy.

[Rick @ May 19th 2008 8:13PM]

Continuously wearable? Does that mean you never take them off?

[Nando @ May 19th 2008 8:32PM]

But what if MY blood preasure goes up?

see what i did there? it sucks, i know.

[Scentedflame @ May 19th 2008 8:56PM]

haha

If your blood pressure goes up, the alarm sounds and you're caught...red handed?

I feel gross inside.

[TheCow5 @ May 19th 2008 8:49PM]

Where did they find my underwear, crap I was looking for that.
Now I will have to go commando.

[TIMMAH! @ May 19th 2008 9:00PM]

Waiting for this to show up on a CSI episode...

[packetsniffer @ May 19th 2008 10:31PM]

I apologize ahead of time for being OCD.

This would be blood pressure monitoring-infused underwear. Not vice versa.

[mOe @ May 19th 2008 10:54PM]

Not a terrible idea, after all the age of people that would be wearing this is generally going to be the more geriatric crowd. However, if it isn't washable, I definitely don't think it will be a viable idea (can't imagine how many of these would go through the wash).

[94 taurus owner @ May 19th 2008 11:10PM]

This is just so funny the only thing I can do is Laugh.

[94 taurus owner @ May 19th 2008 11:13PM]

But still it makes more sense o walk into the bathroom and check your blood pressure than to bring all this bulky equipment from home and clutter your office.

[ITRanger @ May 20th 2008 6:51AM]

Whoah!

Am I missing something. Why is everyone assuming this is men's underwear? I usually like flaps!

Maybe it was only designed by a man for the ladies ... ;-)

[blade417 @ May 20th 2008 8:26AM]

hopefully these won't set off the metal detector at the airport...

Security Guard: "Sir, your gonna have to take those off... btw those are some nice brown undies"

Moron: "Well... they used to be white... *wink*"

_____________________ (insert uncomfortable response here)

[blade417 @ May 20th 2008 8:29AM]

Well, you know what Victoria's Secret really is right....

The secret is that Victoria is a man.

[Ashwini @ May 25th 2008 10:45AM]

It would hurt if a guy had one of these, unless they found out a way to check blood pressure without squeezing.

[Sdf @ May 19th 2008 6:59PM]

Oh gosh, you are right, that thing is not going to get near my umm.. jewels :-)