New smartwatches from Samsung and Apple should be able to measure blood sugar
The ECG app of the Apple Watch Series 4. (Screenshot: Apple)
No time right now?
The upcoming smartwatches from Samsung and Apple, Galaxy Watch 4 as well as Active 3 and Watch 7, should soon be able to measure blood sugar. The prick with the needle would be eliminated for diabetics.
So far, blood sugar, i.e. the concentration of dissolved grape sugar (glucose) in the blood, has been measured by means of a drop of blood on the finger of people with diabetes. This means that diabetics have to endure a prick with a needle several times a day. But that could soon be history, because some manufacturers, including two top providers, are currently working on smartwatches that promise non-invasive blood sugar measurement.
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Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 probably measures blood sugar
A report from the South Korean news platform According to ET News Samsung and Apple are said to want to offer a corresponding function in the course of this year. Samsung has therefore decided to build the technology for monitoring blood sugar levels into the upcoming Galaxy Watch 4 smartwatch. This is to be presented in the second half of the year. According to the report, it is possible that the Galaxy Watch Active 3 should also have this function. Overall, Samsung wants to introduce three new wearables at a Galaxy Unpacked 2021 event.
According to the South Korean report, Apple is also planning a similar feature for the Watch 7, which should also be presented in the second half of 2021. Apple has therefore secured a corresponding patent. Now the technology is being tested for reliability and stability. The whole thing works – at Apple and Samsung – via an optical sensor that measures the blood sugar level with the help of the so-called Raman Spectroscopy should be able to determine. Samsung has worked with a team of MIT scientists to optimize the technology, according to ET News.
Authorities still have to allow the feature
To what extent the results can ultimately keep up with those of the conventional method remains to be seen. The smartwatches from Apple and Samsung are currently already mastering health functions such as measuring heart rate and blood oxygen. An ECG function is also integrated. As with these functions, it could take a while for the blood glucose measurement to be approved by the relevant authorities after the presentation. Other manufacturers working on the function for smartwatches are Philosys Healthcare from South Korea and the Japanese startup Quantum Operation.
