Apple is working on the next step that could be of importance for (early) diabetics. The stage of testing is now reaching the proof-of-concept phase, like Bloomberg reported (via MacRumors).
With its smartwatch, Apple focuses, among other things, on health functions that can help people in everyday life. Other manufacturers such as Samsung even integrate a function into their wearables to measure blood pressure, which worked surprisingly reliably in our test.
Of course, these small devices in no way replace a doctor (visit). Nevertheless, they have become a helpful support in everyday life.
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Apple is working on technology to measure blood sugar
Apple’s research into technology to measure blood glucose directly from the Apple Watch has now reached proof-of-concept stage. The advantage over conventional methods is obvious (more precisely, on the arm):
Monitoring of glucose levels could be done non-invasively and does not require piercing the skin.
Was bedeutet Proof-of-Concept? This phase is a milestone within a project. Accordingly, the feasibility of a concept is checked in practice. Conversely, this also means that a product or project could be rejected again.
In order for this to succeed, Apple would like to use a special chip that uses optical absorption spectroscopy. With it, “a light from a laser is radiated under the skin in order to be able to determine the concentration of glucose in the blood”.
The prototype is apparently currently the size of an iPhone and is attached to a person’s arm. However, Apple needs to pack the technology into a much smaller wearable. So it may be years before the technology actually becomes market-ready.
Development started more than a decade ago
Apple has long been working on an alternative monitoring method to reliably measure glucose levels. The Cupertino-based manufacturer began a non-invasive blood glucose monitoring project back in 2010 and has invested “hundreds of millions of dollars” in its development.
Apparently, about 10 years ago, Apple tested a similar approach to detecting this disease in humans. Primarily to people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. A group of subjects with no signs or diagnosis of diabetes was also used.
This new technology would also have important added value: The signs of blood sugar disease could thus be detected early before it progresses to type 2 diabetes. This would give people the chance to adapt their own lifestyle at an early stage before a serious intervention in life occurs.
author’s opinion
Smartwatches – regardless of the manufacturer – are by no means fashionable gadgets and will be even less so in the future. The focus of the manufacturers has been obvious for years: human health!
I am convinced that with the help of such technologies and small devices on the wrist, we can improve our quality of life, especially in old age.
Therefore, I am pleased to read such messages and to be able to pass them on to you!
You can find more research findings here:
What do you think of this technology? Does the future of early disease detection lie in smart devices, or are the tech giants taking the wrong approach? Will we rely too much on small electronic parts in the future and forget to ask our doctor for advice? Have you already had positive experiences with smartwatches? It is an explosive topic and we are interested in your opinion!
