According to ETNews, the Apple Watch Series 7 will include the ability to monitor blood glucose, via an optical sensor.
Apple plansto bring blood glucose monitoring to the upcoming Apple Watch Series 7 using a non-invasive optical sensor.
Accurately measuring blood glucose levels, or blood sugar levels, is vital for patients with diabetes. Normally, measuring glucose requires testing with a drop of blood placed on a glucometer or the use of an implanted monitor (CGM). The ability to track any significant increases or decreases in blood glucose can alert a potential problem or simply help improve a user's diet.
Apple has reportedly secured patents related to blood glucose monitoring, and it appears the company is “focused on ensuring reliability and stability before commercializing the technology.” The Apple-designed optical sensor is believed to be a continuous epidermal monitoring solution that doesn’t require an implant.
Apple has reportedly been interested in adding a blood glucose monitoring feature to the Apple Watch for some time. The company has reportedly built a team of biomedical engineers and consultants specifically working on sensors for non-invasive blood sugar monitoring since 2017, and work on the sensor has progressed to clinical trials in San Francisco. Apple CEO Tim Cookwas even spotted testing what is believed to be a prototype glucose monitor connected to the Apple Watch.
In recent years, Apple has added several health-related features to Apple Watches, such as the ability to measure blood oxygen levels or take an ECG. Late last year, Tim Cook spoke about the future of the Apple Watch, saying that the device is still “in its early days” with Apple testing “incredible” features in its labs.
“Think about the amount of sensors in your car,” Cook said, “and arguably, your body is much more important than your car.” The Apple Watch Series 7 is expected to be released later this year, but we don’t know much about its capabilities .
