A few months ago there has been talk of a new “revolutionary” function that in the future will incorporate the Apple watch. It will be the measurement of the glucose level in the blood, in a non-invasive way, using optical sensors, such as those currently used to measure the pulsations and the level of oxygen in the blood.
And I say “revolutionary” because until now there was no electronic device capable of measuring blood sugar level except with a blood sample. Well Rockley photonics just introduced it. And “curiously” Apple is his best customer …
A few months ago we commented that a future Apple Watch (probably the series 8) will be able to measure blood glucose level non-invasively, simply by incorporating new optical sensors similar to those currently used to measure heart rate and oxygen level in the blood.
Many doubts were created in this regard, since there is currently no electronic device on the market capable of making such a measurement without obtaining a drop of blood and dipping it in a reagent.
Well, Rockley Photonics, a supplier Apple today unveiled an advanced digital sensor system that the Apple Watch will likely incorporate in a while, incorporating a wide range of new measurements from different health-related data.
A non-invasive optical sensor system
The company has unveiled a ‘wrist clinic’ digital health sensor system that enables wearable devices to monitor multiple biomarkers, including core body temperature, blood pressure, body hydration, alcohol, lactate, and glucose levels.
The technology uses a miniaturized chip with optical sensors that provide continuous and non-invasive monitoring of various biomarkers. They are intended to overcome many of the challenges associated with health monitoring, and avoid the need for invasive sensors that must pierce the skin to obtain a blood sample.
The system will use optical sensors like the current ones that measure blood oxygen and pulsations.
Many wearables use green LEDs to monitor heart rate, but Rockley’s sensor uses infrared spectrophotometers that can detect and monitor a much wider range of biomarkers to dramatically increase the functionality of wearable devices. The sensor generates lasers to non-invasively probe under the skin to analyze blood, interstitial fluids and layers of the dermis for specific components and physical phenomena.
Rockley is initially launching its detection solution on a wristband that contains the sensor module and communicates with an app on a smartphone. It will be used in a series of studies in volunteers in the coming months, and the company’s idea is to commercialize the integrated system in different wearables.
Apple is Rockley Photonics’ largest customer
Earlier this year, it was revealed that Apple is the biggest customer by Rockley Photonics. The company’s filings said that Apple accounted for the majority of its revenue in the past two years and that it has an ongoing “supply and development agreement” with the company, under which it expects to continue to rely heavily on Apple for the most part. of your income.
Given the growth of Rockley Photonics and the scale of Apple’s partnership with the company, it seems highly likely that the company’s health sensor technology will make its way to the Apple Watch sooner rather than later, as long as the technology lives up to the standards. expectations. Rockley has previously said that its sensors could be in consumer smartwatches and other electronic devices as early as next year, so it could be integrated into models. Apple Watch Series 8.
