Apple secures patent for tracking respiratory issues using Apple Watch and iPhone
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PublishedAug 28, 2023
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Just in, Apple has submitted an application for a patent to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a system that examines the respiratory health of users. To put it simply, the patent focuses on a system that lets users practice breathing meditations and then analyze their respiratory system's condition. This article will provide a thorough exploration of the same Apple's patented technology for assessing respiratory health.
Apple Respiratory Health Tracker Overview:
Current smart devices like the Apple Watch and Smart Rings are only limited to monitoring SpO2, heart rate, ECG, stress tracking, and so on. However, there is less to access lung and respiratory-related problems. The new proposed system is capable of identifying airway obstruction, which can be a symptom of conditions like COPD and asthma.
Old method, Spirometry
Typically, individuals with conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, or other related airway issues use a method called Spirometry to diagnose their condition. In this process, people breathe into a device that measures how air flows and this information helps assess their lung function.
The drawback lies in the fact that the accuracy of spirometry measurements depends on how well a person follows the test instructions. People might find it challenging to perform spirometry accurately without a clinician's guidance.
More on Apple's Proposed System
Apple's patented technology might make it easier to track and identify patterns in breathing habits. The system uses an optical sensing unit of the iPhone to detect how the chest moves while the user follows guided breathing exercises.
Apple patent for respiratory health system
An electronic device, like the Apple Watch, is attached to the chest using a provided adhesive sticker. This enables the watch to directly observe and analyze an individual's breathing patterns from that specific location. And then, by watching the chest's movement, the system figures out things like how hard it is for the person to breathe or if there's something blocking their airway.
Availability of the Patented System on Consumer's Product
It's not certain that Apple will use this patented technology in their products for consumers. However, Apple has a habit of exploring new health technologies through patents long before they actually make them available in the market. So, this situation might be another example of that.
The drawback lies in the fact that the accuracy of spirometry measurements depends on how well a person follows the test instructions. People might find it challenging to perform spirometry accurately without a clinician's guidance.
