Patent application shows how the Apple Watch could monitor blood glucose without drawing blood

Patent application shows how the Apple Watch could monitor blood glucose without drawing blood

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We’ve already told you about it rumors that new health-related features will come to the Apple Watch Series 7 later this year. If the rumors come up, the next version of the Apple Watch could deliver blood glucose measurements; this information is needed by insulin dependent diabetics to calculate how much insulin they should take before eating their next meal. This happens to be a very painful and expensive test, as diabetics have to take blood from their fingertips, place a sample of blood on a test strip (the strips are quite expensive) and place it in a machine called a glucometer.

Apple seeks patent for technology that will be used to monitor Apple Watch users’ blood sugar readings

As Apple can make the technology work, those with the Series 7 Apple Watch who are insulin-dependent diabetics will be able to monitor their blood sugar without paying for the disposable test strips. More importantly, they do not have to feel the pain of sticking their finger with a needle called a lancet. Since many diabetics do not like to go through the reading process, the new feature could lead to improved monitoring of these patients and help them better control their diabetes. And the Apple Watch will eventually pay for itself because there are no more test strips to buy.

How does Apple plan to measure someone’s blood sugar level without drawing blood? A new patent application filed by Apple with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office explains how. With the long-winded title “Terahertz spectroscopy and imaging in dynamic environments with improved performance using environmental sensors“” Apple plans to use absorption spectroscopy to obtain non-invasive blood glucose measurements. materials ‘to be detected.’

There are some issues. Apple adds: “To integrate a gas sensor on an electronic device, an orifice or opening is needed to allow air to flow on the gas sensor so that the gas can be detected.” The opening used to allow airflow can reduce the protection of the device against water. The blood sugar reading should also be accurate. If it is down even with a small amount, the user may end up taking too much insulin and having a hypoglycemic or low blood sugar attack. This may disappoint the user. The system proposed by Apple will be able to continuously monitor the blood sugar levels of a diabetic, but not according to the accuracy that hospital patients have available. If you bring a non-invasive blood glucose test to the Apple Watch, the device’s battery can drain much faster than usual. To make a blood glucose monitor available on the Apple Watch, the device needs to monitor more than just gas. But there is a question as to whether the watch is large enough to fit in all the necessary components. The price of the Apple Watch will also have to rise.

The technology discussed in the patent application can also be used to detect skin cancer and other skin problems. And while it all sounds great, Apple has been working on non-invasive blood glucose testing for years, and there is no sign that the company has actually started working on this technology. Still, the potential payout for diabetics and Apple would be huge. Especially considering the other potential diseases that can be detected with this technology.

It is also rumored that Samsung is ready to include a non-invasive blood glucose monitor, with the next smartwatch expected to be released later this year. It is not known if Sammy will use the same technology as Apple for his system.

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