Apple Patent Describes ECG-Based Heart Health Wearable

[MacRumors]

Apple has invented a new health wearable device that measures electrocardiographic signals via a series of built-in electrodes (via PatentlyApple).

The device was revealed in a new patent application published today by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and appears to show designs on another wearable apart from the Apple Watch that can be worn on different locations on the body.

Electrocardiographic measurements rely on multiple electrode readings that can vary depending on where the recording is taken on the body. For example, accidental misplacement of limb lead electrodes is a common cause of ECG reading abnormalities. To solve this, Apple's patent details how the device can intelligently adapt its measurements for accuracy by taking and comparing readings in different body locations.

In one example, the device can be run through an 'enrollment' process, whereby the measurements are taken at different locations on the body. Once the process is finished, electrocardiographic results obtained from the arm can be compared against the stored measurements and determine an accurate reading of heart functioning.

The patent describes how a user wearing the device on their arm can take manual measurements, by placing their finger on an electrode that is not already in contact with the body, whereby the device compares the inverted readings relative to one another to calculate an accurate measurement.

Earlier this week it was reported that Apple is developing at least one new health-tracking product that could debut alongside the tenth-anniversary iPhone in 2017. The product is said to have an array of health-related apps that collect data such as heart rate, pulse, and blood sugar changes.

It's extremely unlikely that today's patent relates to the upcoming device, but it does serve as another example of the research Apple is ploughing into this area, and indicates that the company is not averse to developing wearable technology that isn't necessarily linked to the Apple Watch.

In a recent interview, when asked what he believes the "next frontiers" will be when it comes to product development, Apple CEO Tim Cook highlighted health as "the biggest one of all."

Article Link: Apple Patent Describes ECG-Based Heart Health Wearable

 

[BrodieApple]

I doubt they'd make something like this seperate from the Apple Watch

 

[Telos101]

I doubt they'd make something like this seperate from the Apple Watch

I dunno. I guess there's only so much tech you can pack into a single device. Unless they pitched it as a specialist medical product...

 

[BrodieApple]

I dunno. I guess there's only so much tech you can pack into a single device. Unless they pitched it as a specialist medical product...

I just don't see Apple doing that.

 

[japanime]

I doubt they'd make something like this seperate from the Apple Watch

Why not? It could be a device Apple markets specifically to patients (through their physicians). That's something Steve Jobs was reportedly interested in doing.

 

[diddl14]

Wonder when I'll be buying my 1st Apple implant...

 

[SoSickSadNslOw]

Imagine your doctor recommending Apple wearable Device, burying people even further in their Eco system.

 

[Mascots]

Neat - if Apple is doing the R&D, I'm ready for another product in the line.

Please run WatchOS or have limited interface (iPod Nano like). Devs are kind of getting burnt out on platforms at this point - both internal and 3rd party.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Heh, that bracelet has a better design than the Apple Watch.. ^_^

 

[Volusia]

This already exists! A company called Kardia (formerly AliveCor) currently has a reader you attach to your iPhone which provides a Lead I ECG (I have one and have been using for almost a year). They have developed and are in the process of getting approved a version which uses the Apple Watch heart rate reading device and a second contact point on the Apple Watch band.
Check it out at AliveCor.com

 

[ValO]

It will be a ring.
With all kind of sensors , movement and biosensors.
It all makes sense.
A ring, together with a watch would be great as a medical device, and..,.
It would act like the clumsy controllers we have in VR right now.
A combo of a ring and a watch can mimick hand and (finger) movements in a VR environment perfectly.
And you could control something like an Apple TV perfectly by pointing and swiping, without a remote.
It all makes sense....

 

[skinned66]

This is one space I want Apple to attack aggressively. They like to talk about making products that can improve lives - here's one of them.

 

[NT1440]

I dunno. I guess there's only so much tech you can pack into a single device. Unless they pitched it as a specialist medical product...

They've kind of been hinting (various Cook interviews over the last few years) that they're interested in medical devices (meaning approved by the FDA), separately from non approved devices that focus on "fitness" instead.

 

[orbital~debris]

It will be a ring.
With all kind of sensors , movement and biosensors.
It all makes sense.
A ring, together with a watch would be great as a medical device, and..,.
It would act like the clumsy controllers we have in VR right now.
A combo of a ring and a watch can mimick hand and (finger) movements in a VR environment perfectly.
And you could control something like an Apple TV perfectly by pointing and swiping, without a remote.
It all makes sense....

There were some 'far out' rumours about an Apple Ring device a little while ago.
Sounded far-fetched, but on the other hand… many rumours have a kernel of truth that's been mutated during relay.

I wonder if the technology in this patent could be further miniaturised - beyond Apple Watch size- into a ring? If so, you might be on to something.

 

[smacrumon]

Incorporate into Apple Watch.

 

[S.B.G]

As a diabetic, I'd be interested to see what Apple develops in the this area of health related products. It'd be nice not to have to stab myself to get a sugar reading all the time.

 

[Zirel]

Why not? It could be a device Apple markets specifically to patients (through their physicians). That's something Steve Jobs was reportedly interested in doing.

Tim Cook let his strategy come clear from the FastCo interview.

He wants to sell Apple Watches as part of healthcare systems just like he sells iPhones as part of mobile telephony systems.

Excited to see how that turns out, if they can make it, and if they can "just walk in", and how Google and Microsoft will respond. (My guess: poorly)

 

[thisisnotmyname]

I dunno. I guess there's only so much tech you can pack into a single device. Unless they pitched it as a specialist medical product...

Could be an intelligent watch band. (queue the watch band comments) That would make it both optional for the many people that just wouldn't care about this type of thing and potentially lessen the FDA approval hurdles (although given it has the potential - or necessity - to interface to the watch to function they probably need to approve the watch as a medical device then too).
[doublepost=1470932668][/doublepost]

Wonder when I'll be buying my 1st Apple implant...

I'd say in less than 15 years.
[doublepost=1470932813][/doublepost]

As a diabetic, I'd be interested to see what Apple develops in the this area of health related products. It'd be nice not to have to stab myself to get a sugar reading all the time.

That's the holy grail for the testing industry. Measuring blood sugar without direct sampling is just far too inaccurate at this point though. I don't see it happening in the near future.

 

[Jetfire]

Doubt it will be anytime soon. Still waiting for Quadrocore to release their EKG device.

 

[Jakexb]

I'm not sure why there's an assumption this won't be an enhanced watch band? I think they're just covering the bases with the patent.

For everyone that jokes about the watch bands, I think they keep releasing fashion bands to get people accustomed to the idea of swapping out bands for different occasions. You wear you classy band to a wedding, conservative one to work, and a health/fitness one when you work out.

 

[ValO]

There were some 'far out' rumours about an Apple Ring device a little while ago.
Sounded far-fetched, but on the other hand… many rumours have a kernel of truth that's been mutated during relay.

I wonder if the technology in this patent could be further miniaturised - beyond Apple Watch size- into a ring? If so, you might be on to something.

Why?

All it needs are sensors and a bluetooth transmitter in the ring. Readings are read by the apple watch.

 

[orbital~debris]

Why?

All it needs are sensors and a bluetooth transmitter in the ring. Readings are read by the apple watch.

But isn't there a limit on how many sensors can be packed into a ring-sized device? Plus transmitter and battery?

 

[kdarling]

As a diabetic, I'd be interested to see what Apple develops in the this area of health related products. It'd be nice not to have to stab myself to get a sugar reading all the time.

Are you following the FDA progress of the Google Contact Lens ?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Contact_Lens

 

[Sandybox]

"it does serve as another example of the research Apple is ploughing into this area". No it doesn't. It shows that Apple, like most large tech companies will attempt to gain patents on almost anything to shut out true innovators and smaller companies from amrlets of interest. This "invention" doesn't hint at anything not already known about ECG measurement and a wrist band form factor is not exactly new. No doubt the USPTO will do their usual excellent job as a beacon of insanity and award the patent, putting another nail in the coffin of free enterprise.

 

[wagawagawoowoo]

As a diabetic, I'd be interested to see what Apple develops in the this area of health related products. It'd be nice not to have to stab myself to get a sugar reading all the time.

Try the Freestyle Libre Pro - its a transdermal 24 hour continuous glucose monitoring device. Really useful device I've used it with several patients to help them gain a better understanding of their sugars. (disclosure - I'm a UK GP - with NO affiliation to the company that makes it)