Blood sugar monitoring on the Apple Watch is reportedly something the company wanted to implement from the beginning. According to a 2023 report, the first Apple Watch was originally planned to launch with non-invasive blood sugar measurement as its featured feature.
Since then, there have been numerous reports, many of which claimed that the then-next Apple Watch would have health features. More than a decade later, that still hasn’t happened, but the launch of new devices suggests it may be getting closer…
Why blood sugar monitoring is important
The International Diabetes Federation estimates that more than 10% of the adult population currently has diabetes, and almost half of them do not know they have diabetes. Diabetes kills millions of people each year, and the risk is especially acute for people who develop type 2 diabetes before age 40.
Early diagnosis saves lives, but existing blood glucose monitoring devices are invasive. This means that a small needle must be inserted into the skin. Therefore, only those who are aware of the risks are likely to use the technology.
Non-invasive devices in clinical trials
Non-invasive blood glucose monitoring has been a long-standing goal in health technology. Adding this functionality to a device worn by millions of people around the world, like the Apple Watch, could potentially save countless lives.
The most promising approach to non-invasive glucose measurement is through exhaled breath. So-called “acetone breath” is a common symptom of diabetes. wired The company reports that a new device using this is in clinical trials and hopes to receive FDA approval sometime this year.
The device under test is in the form of a pendant worn around the neck.
Isaac is a small device, about a quarter the size, that measures volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath and detects biomarkers such as acetone, which are correlated with elevated blood sugar levels (…)
The device has entered active human clinical trials at Indiana University to compare Isaac’s performance in blood glucose monitoring compared to traditional blood glucose monitoring, starting with adolescents with type 1 diabetes and expanding to adults with type 2 diabetes.
The trial is being conducted in anticipation of regulatory review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration next year.
This technology could be used in the Apple Watch
The way this device works is that you hold the device to your mouth and exhale. This means that while it cannot provide continuous measurements, it can be used every day and each test takes just a few seconds.
This is technology that could be included in the Apple Watch. The biggest challenge seems to be miniaturization, as Isaac is currently about the same size as an Apple Watch on its own. But if this device actually wins FDA approval this year, it would be a very encouraging sign for the approach Apple may take later.
Image: 9to5Mac/PreEvnt
