Apple’s future smartwatch may feature an inflatable blood pressure sensor


Apple may finally be able to crack the egg on how to enable blood pressure monitoring on its smartwatches. The latest related patent filed by AppleĀ has been found by Patently Apple. It details an attachable blood pressure sensor that may one day end up on a future Watch Series.

TL;DR

  • Apple’s new patent hints towards a blood pressure device attached to the Apple Watch.
  • The device will utilize an inflatable mechanism and air pump.
  • It is unclear if the feature will end up on an actual Apple smartwatch.

Earlier this year, Bloomberg reported that Apple has moved its plan to add blood pressure monitoring on its watches until 2024 after it faced several issues during testing. Fortunately, Apple’s engineers seem to possess a solution in their hands.

Blood pressure monitoring on an Apple Watch

Based on the patent filing, the Cupertino company may useĀ a separate device to measure the blood pressure level. The sketch shows a compact device that is attached and sandwichedĀ between theĀ strap and back of theĀ wrist. It consists of stacked componentsĀ including a liquid filled sensor that would help determine the changes in pressure as well as sensing mechanisms.

Apple Watch Series with blood pressure monitoring
Apple’s latest patent showing an attachable blood pressure monitoring device / Ā© Patently Apple

The patent also mentioned an inflatable layerĀ and air pump which are used in compressing the arteries of the user before finally deflating so that the sensing stack could read the changes on the blood pressure level. This function is comparable to a classicĀ blood pressure device which compresses the upper arm and in turn collapses the blood vessels insideĀ using a cuff strap. However, Apple’s solution is far trickierĀ as it involves tiny mechanical and electronic parts.

In addition, the data gathered by the device will then be sent and interpretedĀ by an Apple Watch. On the other hand,Ā Apple could implement a standalone and compact blood pressure sensing device without relying on a smartwatch but by sending the data into an iPhone.

The submitted patent does not mean that the technology would end up on actualĀ AppleĀ watches. But considering Apple has been lately focusing on improving the health tracking capabilities on its smartwatches, we don’t rule out the possibilities of seeing an integrated feature related to blood pressure or even blood glucose monitoring within the next two to three generations.

With Apple scheduled to announce the Watch Series 8 in October, which new features of the smartwatch are you looking forward most to?



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