IVVA: Expanding the Capabilities of Telemedicine Through Video-Based Vital Sign Monitoring
Feb 24, 2026 | 4 min read
“As virtual care becomes a permanent part of healthcare delivery today, IVVA can play a central role in improving patient outcomes and accessibility.”
Virtual medical care is a major component of modern clinical care. 1 in 6 physicians report that more than 20% of their weekly visits are conducted via video or audio only platforms. While telemedicine has expanded access, making visits more convenient to both patients and healthcare providers, most visits still lack a critical component of primary clinical assessment: monitoring vital signs.
Vital signs such as heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry are essential to baseline clinical evaluation and decision-making. Completing assessments without information on patient vitals can limit the physician’s ability to evaluate the patient and increase the risk of incomplete diagnosis. Dr. Arthur Wallace, cardiac anesthesiologist and professor at UCSF and San Francisco Veterans Affair Medical Center (SF VAMC), is leading the Integrated Visual Vitals Assistant (IVVA) Project to change this reality by using video signals to enable remote vital sign measurement during telemedicine visits.
Remote Vital Sign Measurement
IVVA is a software system that enables remote measurement of vital signs. It leverages the red-green-blue camera already present in a patient’s computer or phone. Using these video signals, the system can estimate patient heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, and other physiological parameters. The patient does not have to purchase additional hardware, making the program much more accessible. By removing the logistical barriers that often prevent patients from obtaining or sharing vital signs during virtual visits, IVVA has the potential to significantly enhance clinical outcomes of telemedicine visits while maintaining simplicity for both patients and providers.
How IVVA Stands Out
Unlike other approaches to remote vital sign monitoring, IVVA does not require patients to purchase, maintain, or bother with additional equipment. The technology is entirely software-based and non-invasive, reducing cost and patient burden while seamlessly integrating into telemedicine visits.
Collaboration with the Master of Translational Medicine (MTM) Program
MTM students are actively supporting the development of the IVVA project by adapting existing software originally designed for use with dedicated cameras in the hospital. They focus on translating this technology to the Zoom interface and patient-sided camera systems, commonly used in at-home telemedicine visits.
The Vision Behind IVVA
Dr. Arthur Wallace, the project’s capstone sponsor, is a cardiac anesthesiologist, biomedical engineer, professor of anesthesiology and perioperative care, chief of anesthesiology, and CEO of Atapir. With experience developing medications, operations, medical devices, medical monitors, and software, Dr. Wallace has consistently focused on advancing technologies that enhance clinical care across patient settings.
IVVA project is a continuation of that mission. Originally developed to reduce morbidity and mortality in hospitals and nursing homes, the technology is now being extended into patients’ homes through telemedicine.
In addition to advancing the technology, Dr. Wallace places strong emphasis on mentorship and innovation. “We really enjoy working with students and assisting them to develop the next generation of medical products, technology, devices, and therapies,” he added.
For those interested in learning more about IVVA or collaborating on this initiative, Dr. Wallace’s team is based in San Francisco at UCSF and the SF VAMC. You can reach out via email at Art.Wallace@va.gov or Art.Wallace@Atapir.com.
By enabling reliable vital sign monitoring without additional hardware, IVVA has the potential to close one of telemedicine’s most critical gaps. Access to physiological data in virtual settings can improve clinical decision-making across hospitals, nursing homes, and now, patients’ homes. As virtual care becomes a permanent part of healthcare delivery today, technologies like IVVA can play a central role in improving patient outcomes and accessibility.