Apple Watch Series 7 discusses blood glucose monitoring

The Apple Watch Series 7 is believed to contain blood glucose monitoring via an optical sensor, according to ETNews.

The report, which focuses primarily on the blood glucose capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, explains that Apple plans to bring blood glucose monitoring to the upcoming Apple Watch Series 7 using a non-invasive optical sensor.

Measuring blood glucose levels, also known as blood sugar levels, is essential for dealing with conditions such as diabetes. Normally, blood glucose should be measured to test a drop of blood in a blood glucose meter or to use an implanted continuous glucose monitor (CGM). The ability to observe severe increases or decreases in blood glucose may increase awareness of a possible health condition or simply help to improve the user’s diet.

Apple has allegedly obtained patents regarding blood glucose monitoring, and the company is now reportedly focusing on ensuring reliability and stability before commercializing the technology. The optical sensor designed by Apple is presumably a continuous monitoring solution on the skin that does not require an implant.

Rumor has it that Apple has been interested in adding blood glucose monitoring to the Apple Watch for some time. The company reportedly set up a team of biomedical engineers and consultants in 2017 who worked specifically on sensors to not intrusively monitor blood sugar levels, and work on the sensor reportedly progressed to trials at clinical sites in the San Francisco Bay Area. Apple CEO Tim Cook has even been spotted testing what is believed to be a prototype glucose monitor attached to his Apple Watch.

Apple has added new health-oriented features to the Apple Watch over the past few years, such as the ability to measure oxygen levels in the blood or take an ECG. Late last year, ‌Tim Cook‌ teased the future of the Apple Watch, saying the device was still “in the early turns”, and Apple was testing a “mind blowing” feature in its labs. “Think about the amount of sensors in your car,” Cook said, adding, “and probably your body is much more important than your car.”

The Apple Watch Series 7 is expected to arrive later this year, but there are few rumors about what the new models may contain. Although there have been reports of microLED screens and solid-state buttons with haptic feedback for the Apple Watch, this is not directly expected for the Apple Watch Series 7.