Apple Develops Innovative Hydration Sensor for the Apple Watch

[MacRumors]

Apple has developed a first-of-its-kind hydration sensor designed for the Apple Watch, a company patent filing has revealed.

The patent, first spotted by Patently Apple, is titled "Hydration measurement with a watch" and was granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

"Traditional techniques for tracking hydration are generally invasive, expensive, or unreliable," according to Apple. This refers to existing ways of determining hydration such as single-use tests of fluid samples.

Apple's hydration sensor takes the form of non-invasive electrodes that are placed against the skin, which it describes as a "reliable and elegant" solution. The sensor works by measuring the electrical properties of the Apple Watch wearer's sweat. The patent explains:

The electrical properties, such as electrical conductance, can represent a concentration of electrolytes in the perspiration, which in turn represents a hydration level of the user.

[...]

For example, a high level of electrical conductance of the perspiration can indicate a high concentration of electrolytes and a low level of hydration. By further example, a low level of electrical conductance of the perspiration can indicate a low concentration of electrolytes and a high level of hydration.

The filing goes on to give a lengthy and detailed technical description of the hydration sensor and its functionality.

Apple says that its hydration tracking system can be performed "non-invasively, repeatedly, accurately, automatically, and with minimal user intervention." According to the patent, hydration data may be used to provide feedback to the user, particularly during activity such as workouts, and encourage better management of water intake, and in turn, overall health. The filing outlines why hydration is a valuable health metric:

A user's hydration level has significant impacts on the health of a user. Dehydration can impair performance and is associated with several deleterious health consequences, including heat strokes. Overdrinking can result in hyponatremia, fatigue, confusion, coma, and even death.

Patent filings cannot be taken as firm evidence of Apple's plans, but they do show the company's areas of research. Nevertheless, Apple is known to have ambitious plans for adding new health tracking capabilities to the Apple Watch following the debut of blood oxygen monitoring with the Apple Watch Series 6 and hydration monitoring now appears to be a viable option for the company to add to the device in the future.

Article Link: Apple Develops Innovative Hydration Sensor for the Apple Watch

 

[Shanghaichica]

This looks useful. Still waiting for blood pressure though.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Woah! Apple watch just keeps getting better and better. However, I would want Apple to introduce body temperature sensor.

 

[jefhai]

Patented but never going to see the light of day

 

[jefhai]

This looks useful. Still waiting for blood pressure though.

Blood pressure will never happen unless Apple Watch has some kind of air compressor to verify systolic diastolic. Dental offices have wrist blood pressure and they are large and inaccurate

 

[jz0309]

Blood pressure will never happen unless Apple Watch has some kind of air compressor to verify systolic diastolic. Dental offices have wrist blood pressure and they are large and inaccurate

The latest Samsung watch announced a week or so ago claims to have blood pressure capabilities…

 

[jz0309]

Interesting patent … we’ll have to see what makes it into AW7, I sure hope it goes beyond redesign

 

[farewelwilliams]

it detects how thirsty you are for that MacBook Pro 16" redesign

 

[sw1tcher]

"Traditional techniques for tracking hydration are generally invasive, expensive, or unreliable," according to Apple.

Unreliable? LOL

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forums.macrumors.com

Apple's hydration sensor takes the form of non-invasive electrodes that are placed against the skin, which it describes as a "reliable and elegant" solution.

Will only be "reliable" so long as Apple doesn't change the algorithm

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Interesting patent … we’ll have to see what makes it into AW7, I sure hope it goes beyond redesign

Years and years later... we're finally getting a re-design AW. It's desperately needed.

 

[cuiver]

I guess they will need an über algorithm to account for variances in perspiration between individuals, as well as eventual debris and dried sweat on the electrodes. But still, this will be a great feature if they can achive some degree of accuracy.

 

[filmantopia]

Patented but never going to see the light of day

The naysayer crowd has spoken. If only Apple had more people like this to tell them all the things they can’t do, so they know not to ever try.

 

[Shanghaichica]

The latest Samsung watch announced a week or so ago claims to have blood pressure capabilities…

They do. I‘ve used it on the samsung galaxy active 2. It works and its accurate when compared to a dedicated blood pressure machine.

 

[jazz1]

Nice, but I'm waiting for blood sugar monitor. I hate the prick of the needle!!!

 

[Cosmosent]

My best guess would be that about 3-5% of Apple's patent apps make it into products.

And that number isn't just Apple specific, it applies to most Tech companies who are active in patent apps.

Apple, & others, apply for patent apps, in-part, to keep competitors for gaining an upper-hand, even if they have NO intention of ever putting it in a product.

 

[_Spinn_]

This would be pretty cool to see in a new Apple Watch. Hopefully this and the rumored blood glucose sensors come to the Watch at some point. It would also be cool if Apple could get an ultrasound blood pressure sensor integrated as well.

Wearable ultrasound patch tracks blood pressure

Researchers engineered a blood pressure sensor that uses ultrasound technology and can be worn as a flexible skin patch.

www.nih.gov

 

[Truckondo]

Nice, but I'm waiting for blood sugar monitor. I hate the prick of the needle!!!

Same here. I’m still using my Series 2 until then or I’m gifted a new Apple Watch.

 

[jz0309]

Nice, but I'm waiting for blood sugar monitor. I hate the prick of the needle!!!

That would be very nice indeed, but would require full FDA approval and demand a hefty premium… I am sure it will come at some point, technology is there…

 

[148KPT]

"​

The sensor works by measuring the electrical properties of the Apple Watch wearer's sweat.

Not going to work for Prince Andrew.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

This looks useful. Still waiting for blood pressure though.

That’s more complicated, unless they figure out a completely different way to take these measurements (High/low blood pressure). Currently, pressure needs to be applied to the blood flow to be able to obtain a reading. Maybe there’s another way to do this without having to wear a big fat wrist band.

For the Hydration level measurement, Apple is taking a different approach.

Oh, check this out!: https://www.thegearcaster.com/2016/09/measure-your-hydration-level-in-real-time.html

Let’s see what the near future brings. It seems that soon the Tricorder will look like a Boombox in comparison to the new health gadgets coming out. There are already Ultrasound probes that are smaller than the tricorder, and connect to your iPhone and iPad. Recently I was able to test one for a whole week, and it’s incredibly good and very useful when you know how to use it and interpret the images.

 

[Robert.Walter]

Patented but never going to see the light of day

Agree.

The naysayer crowd has spoken. If only Apple had more people like this to tell them all the things they can’t do, so they know not to ever try.

Companies do file defensive patents to block competitors from using approaches that the company has decided not to use because it wasn’t their best embodiment of a solution.

This patent could very well be a defensive patent that apple won’t put into production.

 

[ChromeAce]

This tech could possibly also be used to determine levels of alcohol in the blood, disabling your Apple Car if too high, and potentially reporting the attempt to law enforcement.

 

[cuiver]

Nice, but I'm waiting for blood sugar monitor. I hate the prick of the needle!!!

If you are able (through insurance) go for a CGM (such as Dexcom G6). This was my best decision in all my years as a T1, complete game-changer.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

Nice, but I'm waiting for blood sugar monitor. I hate the prick of the needle!!!

That should come out soon.

This one is a small under the skin implant: https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/treatments/continuous-glucose-monitoring

And what‘s coming in the ’near future’: https://gluco-wise.com/
until Apple figures a way to jam it inside the Apple Watch 😁

 

[zombierunner]

It will detect water damage so they can rule out warranty cover.