Apple, thanks to its new patent, can now analyze respiratory health
With its focus on the health sector, Apple rolled up its sleeves to bring another significant innovation to its smart devices.
Apple has recently submitted a patent application detailing an innovative system that employs guided breathing to assess respiratory function. This revolutionary approach aims to gauge lung health, potentially pinpointing signs of airway obstruction, indicative of ailments like COPD and asthma. Individuals suffering from these conditions often face decreased airflow, making the simple act of breathing challenging.
Traditionally, the evaluation of lung function and potential airway obstruction has leaned on Spirometry, a prevalent breathing test. However, the precision of spirometry results hinges heavily on the patient's adherence to the test protocol. Apple, on the other hand, is venturing into fresh territories, looking to harness the potential of the iPhone and Apple Watch for respiratory health tracking.
Apple, thanks to its new patent, can now analyze respiratory health
One proposed method employs the iPhone's optical sensor to observe chest movements during breathing. Advanced algorithms would then process this data to deduce respiratory patterns. Another approach suggests fastening an Apple Watch directly to the chest via a specially designed adhesive sticker, enabling it to monitor breathing mechanics up close.
While today's clinical respiratory evaluations largely depend on devices like spirometers, Apple's proposed technology could pave the way for more accessible, user-friendly respiratory trend tracking. Apple's wearable devices, including the Apple Watch, have steadily been broadening their health monitoring horizon, already capturing metrics like VO2 max and blood oxygen levels. By delving deeper into respiratory analytics, Apple could solidify its devices as indispensable health monitoring tools.
Even though it remains uncertain if Apple will incorporate this patented innovation into a market-ready product, it's noteworthy that Apple often delves into groundbreaking health feature research long before such features make their debut.
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