B‑Secur & Maxim Integrated Launch Ultra‑Low‑Power ECG Sensor Hub for Wearables

B‑Secur, a leading ECG algorithm developer, has partnered with Maxim Integrated Products to unveil an ultra‑low‑power sensor hub that delivers real‑time heart health data to a range of wearable formats—including smartwatches, rings, and chest straps.

The MAX32663A biometric sensor hub integrates a Maxim MAX32660 ultra‑low‑power microcontroller pre‑loaded with B‑Secur’s FDA‑certified HeartKey algorithms, and pairs seamlessly with Maxim’s MAX30003 low‑power ECG sensor. This all‑in‑one package streamlines design and removes the need for separate algorithm licensing, accelerating time‑to‑market.

Ben Carter, B‑Secur’s chief commercial officer, noted that the secure bootloader on the MAX32660’s Arm Cortex‑M4 core is a key enabler for protecting proprietary algorithms and simplifying deployment in consumer devices.

Carter added that in wearables, device footprint is at a premium, and embedding HeartKey’s advanced features within the compact MAX32663A meets end‑user expectations for a sleek, high‑performance form factor.

Kris Ardis, Maxim Integrated’s microcontroller business unit director, said the MAX32660 series was engineered as a secure algorithm hub for low‑power, compact devices. “B‑Secur supplies FDA‑cleared health algorithms, while Maxim delivers the microcontroller and ECG front‑end,” he said, highlighting the synergy that makes the MAX32663A a quick, proven path to embed powerful ECG analytics into next‑gen wearables.

Earlier this year, B‑Secur announced U.S. FDA 510(K) clearance for its HeartKey software library, a suite of ECG algorithms that blend user identification, health monitoring, and data encryption based on a unique heartbeat signature.

With FDA clearance, HeartKey can be seamlessly integrated into semiconductors across consumer wellness, health‑monitoring, and medical‑technology devices, enabling rapid deployment of medical‑grade ECG software and opening doors for manufacturers and providers to generate advanced health data on any platform.

B‑Secur emphasizes that the FDA clearance arrives at a critical juncture, as cardiovascular disease remains the world’s leading cause of death—accounting for 17.9 million fatalities annually, or 31 % of all global deaths, according to the WHO.

Beyond consumer wearables, B‑Secur sees a pivotal role for its technology in telehealth—a rapidly growing sector accelerated by COVID‑19. The platform supports remote patient and clinician interaction, providing real‑time monitoring of heart and respiratory metrics. The virus has also induced cardiac complications in previously healthy individuals, underscoring the need for widespread, continuous heart‑health surveillance.

The integrated ECG sensor captures heart rhythms and detects irregularities, empowering users with instant insights into cardiovascular and respiratory health.