Samsung Galaxy Watch could get new blood pressure technology
A recent US patent filing from Samsung indicates it is working on enhanced blood pressure measuring tools for wearables. The company's smartwatch watches already offer non-invasive blood pressure measurements through the Samsung Blood Pressure app.
The feature is available on smartwatches like the new Galaxy Watch7, which provides readings for your systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and pulse. The wearable uses a photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor to detect optical signals and provide an estimate. However, the sensor must be calibrated using a blood pressure cuff, taking three measurements within half an hour, with the company recommending that users recalibrate every 28 days. Samsung also warns that these measurements should not be used to diagnose any conditions, advising users to seek professional medical advice instead.
In the patent documentation, the team mentions an issue with using such bio-signals to estimate blood pressure, in that SBP and DBP can decouple, or change at different rates, and cause inaccurate measurements. To get around this, it appears that the company is suggesting using multiple signals, which could include PPG, electrocardiography (ECG), electromyography (EMG) and ballistocardiography (BCG).
In an interview with Bloomberg earlier this year, Hon Pak, head manager of Samsung's Mobile Health division, confirmed that the company was working on new blood pressure technology. This could include removing the need for calibration with a blood pressure cuff and the addition of continuous blood pressure monitoring to spot signs of high blood pressure or other cardiovascular issues. When new blood pressure measuring technology could reach Samsung smartwatches remains to be seen.
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