Apple Watch's Sleep Apnea Detection Feature Receives FDA Clearance

[SigurTom]

Yeah, I’m wondering if the sleep apnea detection’s reliance solely on actigraphy is due to the ongoing patent dispute. I feel like additional data from the oxygen sensor could only improve the functionality. It’s really wild how Apple has been shipping disabled O2 sensors in the US for nine months now. I get that they’re playing hardball with a company that they perceive to be a patent troll, but imagine upgrading from an earlier Apple Watch generation and losing access to an entire sensor. Apple needs to sort this out.

this. doing the detection without charting O2 impact is bonkers.

 

[spazzcat]

Yeah, I’m wondering if the sleep apnea detection’s reliance solely on actigraphy is due to the ongoing patent dispute. I feel like additional data from the oxygen sensor could only improve the functionality. It’s really wild how Apple has been shipping disabled O2 sensors in the US for nine months now. I get that they’re playing hardball with a company that they perceive to be a patent troll, but imagine upgrading from an earlier Apple Watch generation and losing access to an entire sensor. Apple needs to sort this out.

Everyone keeps harping on the OS sensor, but the sensor is not running all night it checks every so many minutes, so it wouldn't do much of anyting in this space.

 

[msterling]

I have OSA. Pre-treatment 10yrs ago, I had AHI of 89. I am otherwise in good health. Inherited. Love the CPAP, feel so much better. After getting CPAP, AHI dropped to ~1.0. If I had an Apple Watch with this, I probably would have sought treatment years earlier. I just thought it was a bad inherited trait, not realizing the stress it put on my body.
Will the Watch be the final call for those that it detects with OSA? Probably not, but it should at least make someone aware, that maybe they need further testing and treatment.

 

[Ursadorable]

Considering how pathetic the battery life is, and the need to charge it every night.. seems kinda pointless.

How about focusing on increasing battery life so this feature is actually usable?

 

[svish]

Good to know about this.

 

[spazzcat]

Considering how pathetic the battery life is, and the need to charge it every night.. seems kinda pointless.

How about focusing on increasing battery life so this feature is actually usable?

It takes less than an hour to charge a AW. I been wearing my AW at night for years.

 

[xenoako]

Very sad to see AW8C not approved by FDA.
Any chance this will change in the future?
I would buy AW11 but need an oxygen sensor more than potential sleep apnea.

 

[MedRed]

Considering how pathetic the battery life is, and the need to charge it every night.. seems kinda pointless.

How about focusing on increasing battery life so this feature is actually usable?

If monitoring sleep health is important to you, the fact that Apple Watches don’t hold their value is to your benefit. Pick up a used series 9 for ~$200 and sleep with that watch while your day watch charges. A little homework and you can get a 9 that still has the activated blood oxygen monitor

 

[Bistroengine]

Nice feature, but the requirement of wearing your watch in bed is a deal breaker for me. This has never seemed appealing to me. It’s uncomfortable and I would constantly worry about scratching the casing. Apple or someone else should create a light weight band you can wear in place of your watch that can record all of your sleep metrics then relay them to your phone or watch in the morning.