Apple, Google, Samsung to bring health monitoring apps on their smart watch products.
For some decades, medical research technology industries have been looking for ways diabetics can successfully check their blood sugar level on-the-go. Now, mobile tech giant companies are coming into the scene.
Apple Inc, Google Inc and Samsung Electronics are working on applications that could turn the newly innovated wearable gadgets like Smart watches and bracelets into a health monitor system such as blood sugar monitor.
Our source speculated that some of these firms have hired medical scientists and engineers and taking permission from the US regulations about developing glucose measuring features on next generation wearable gadgets.
The pioneering technology may be limited, but later the companies will graduate into competing in the world blood-sugar tracking industry that will worth more than $12 billion by 2017 according to a research figure from GlobalData.
29 million Americans are afflicted by Diabetes as about $245 billion was spent over this in 2012, a figure that will rise by 41 percent in five years. Many diabetics have to prick their fingers almost 10 times daily so as to check their blood glucose level.
Non-invasive technology could help in this area, ultrasound or electricity could pull glucose to the skin for measurement or a light could shine through the skin for the spectroscope to measure presence and quantity of glucose.
No comment was gotten from Apple, Google and Samsung, but the director of US FDA’s chemistry and toxicology device division spoke to Reuters that a marriage between glucose-sensing and mobile device has being “ordained from heaven.”
Apple executives help a meeting with the FDA last December where the FDA described how it may regulate glucometer that measures blood glucose level.
As a report that was gotten from Apple Tool box blog, such device would likely avoid regulation if used for nutrition, but may go under regulations as medical device if marked to diabetics.
Recently, Stephen Oesterle, Medtronic Inc Senior Vice President acknowledges Google as the next great rival for medical devices; it has been funding research and development or R&D.
He said that Meditronic invests about $1.5 billion annually on R&D, and its mostly “D” but Google invest about $8 billion annually on R&D, but he can tell it’s mostly “R.”
Some of the research plans Google has made public includes the development of the “smart” contact lens that measures glucose. In the blog post where the smart contacted lens is broadly discussed, Google says, the LED system is able to warn of high or low blood sugar by flashing tiny lights. Recently, it said that it is looking for partners to bring the product to market.
Past attempt to accurately use non-invasive technology have been distorted by body movement, temperature, hydration and fluctuations. Tears pretty gets lower concentration of glucose making it harder to track.
But the Life science team making the lens and other research in the same line is working in the Google X facility, where major breakthroughs such as the self driving car came forth said a former employee who requested anonymity.
Apple is vigorously working on the iWatch which is expected to ship in October confirmed by three sources at a leading supply chain firm in a Reuter report, even though it isn’t confirmed if the first shipping will include glucose tracking sensors.
Yet, Apple often meets with executives and bio-sensors engineers from big medical technology firms such as Vital Connect, Masimo Corp and now-defunct glucose monitoring startup C8 Medisensors.
“The tech companies are very much interested in the field, as Google announced its smart contact lens, that was one of the best occurrence in my career said Palikaras, CEO of Mediwise, We have been getting tons of emails”
Samsung was one of the first to make moves on smartwatch, but failed to catch on widely, and since has introduced Simband, a platform for mobile health which could be connected on smart wrist bands and other mobile devices.
A Samsung employee who doesn’t want his name mentioned said the company is investing in non-invasive glucose monitoring and it is looking for partners and will allow developers to try out different software and sensors.
Reliable sources revealed that Samsung is working with startups to effect “traffic light” systems in next generation Galaxy Gear smartwatches that flashes blood sugar warnings.
Part of the investment Samsung has made in this field include Glooko, a startup that makes it easy for physicians to access patients glucose readings and had also invested $50 million Digital Health Fund in Israeli into a glucose monitoring startup.
Software developers said they are working on blood glucose data apps, which will be channeled particularly for use to athletes and health-conscious users.
Mike Lee, cofounder of MyFitnessPal said they are paying close attention to research around how sugar impact weight loss.
Image: Techhive.com
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The idea is great! Having experience in medical apps development, I agree that their popularity has grown incredib,y, since such apps make being healthy much easier and even fun. The smartwatch opens a new possibility here: people can wear absolutely normal, even fashionable smartwathc and have all necessary health monitoring included
Sure Victoria,
it was said that diabetics puncture there finger at least 10 times a day to read their blood sugar level, non-invasive monitor technique will be the answer where smartwatches or bands can read blood glucose or blood pressure with sensors, this will be a good point of sales for wearable gadget makers. Thanks for the deep view here!
With rise of more and more wearable gadgets this would definitely be a great idea. It certainly opens up more possibilities and multiply the use of a gadget such as a smartwatch… I hope this news gets spread to more and more smarwatch users…
It will definitely spread, soon I believe those applications will come on by default. Everybody will become health secure this, especially with the life threatening Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar issue. Thanks for ur comment Abhi.
The idea is great! Having experience in medical apps development, I agree that their popularity has grown incredibly, since such apps make being healthy much easier and even fun. The smartwatch opens a new possibility here: people can wear absolutely normal, even fashionable smartwatch and have all necessary health monitoring included
Chithong, when I saw this news, I began to think everything is possible, and technology has made everything easy. The mind behind the smartwatch was just to make something more unique and sophisticated just like the iPhone, but now, the innovation came to became a life saver. Thanks for your contribution, and do stop by to contact me whenever your app is out on any platform.
Amazing idea. It really helps who have Blood Pressure, diabetics, Heart Attacks Problems. It monitors your each and every levels. Thanks for sharing such a good content here.
Yea, Shailesh,
Detecting your status could sometimes be a live saver.
Recently, I’ve watched a short movie on YT about this guy, who got implanted with a smartphone-sized device that could monitor all sorts of internal states. So if an individuals can achieve it right now, I’m excited what can we get from Google, Apple or Samsung 🙂
Hi Alisha,
These companies are ready to change the world.
never thought but it is in actual ,now you don’t have to go hospitals on regular basis for these checkups as these apps has made it easier for everyone to keep a check on their blood pressures, sugar and heart rate..i owe a thanks to technology …
Hi Pankaj,
It helps your life more organized even if you are almost a critical patient.
Great idea! It is really a good way for monitoring our health. It is very simple to wear it as a simple watch and check our health on it. Thanks for sharing this amazing post..
Hi Ken,
It is a great technology just around the conrner.
It’s really nice one.. Thanks for sharing this lovely information to us.. 🙂
Amazing post and site with Articles. I like this site. i got Some information here. I know about a site like this health site. You can see that site. That is Nice and madical services site.
Hi, Thanks for sharing this article. You give the nice information about smartwatch those wearables monitor your health.
You welcome Rob,
Its great you got to see my piece.
Wow,
What an article. interesting how it tracks the heart beat.
I’m interesting in looking at the newest smart watches and their integration of other products.
ShakD
well detailed article. Interesting to read.
Thanks for coming around Nick 🙂