According to Korean IT news site ETnews, Samsung’s next watch, the Galaxy Watch 4, is expected to feature non-invasive blood glucose monitoring.
Sources at ETnews confirmed that Watch 4, which is expected in the second half of 2021, will feature a new “optical” sensor that can help determine blood glucose levels.
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Is non-invasive glucose testing a reality for 2021? Apple and Samsung appear to think so!
Samsung’s current watch portfolio already uses the optical sensor on the back of the watch to measure ECG, Blood oxygen saturation levels and also provides a Blood pressure monitoring feature.
It is not clear from the story whether Samsung will apply a new optical sensor or make simple modifications to determine Blood glucose levels using FBG type (Fiber Bragg grating system).
According to etnews, Samsung Electronics is working tirelessly to introduce three new wearable devices that can be worn on the wrist during Galaxy UNPACKED 2021 that will be held this second half.
It is reported that the name of the smartwatch with an ability to measure blood glucose level will be either “Galaxy Watch 4” or “Galaxy Watch Active 3”.
The science behind glucose readings on wearables
In the past, Samsung Electronics published its research on noninvasive blood glucose level measurement technology based on Raman spectroscopy, which was done along with a research team from MIT, on an international scientific journal called “Science Advances.”
Since then, several research articles have been published focusing on using Raman spectroscopy for non-invasive blood glucose monitoring.
The ETnews story also says that Apple may be working on a similar feature to help with blood glucose monitoring for the upcoming Apple Watch Series 7.
So far, the only non-invasive blood glucose monitoring system that has shown the best potential is the wearable showcased at this year’s CES by Quantum Operation.
Although Apple has published numerous patents around blood glucose level monitoring, we think that it’s still a few years before the feature shows up on the Apple Watch.
Apple has a history of taking a feature like this through a scientific FDA study before it is released, much like it did for the ECG feature. We do not anticipate a blood glucose feature on the Apple Watch just for “informational purposes.”
FDA approvals needed
It will probably go through the entire FDA and different clinical trials/studies before it is released.
A shortcut for measuring blood pressure via the optical sensor is already available on so many wearables.
Still, Apple has not followed the path and used pulse rate time calculations to determine blood pressure.
We think both the Blood pressure and Blood Glucose monitoring will be “Different” when Apple introduces them on the Apple Watch.
One can also expect a Health+ subscription type service that bundles the numerous health monitoring features with lifestyle coaching.
Source: Etnews
