New Watches May Help Measure Blood Sugar

[jasonvp]

Summary

Korean IT News is reporting that Samsung and Apple may be including optical blood sugar sensors in their next round of respective watches.

 

Quotes

Quote

Samsung Electronics has decided to apply a technology to its new smart watch “Galaxy Watch 4 (tentative)”, which is set to be introduced this second half, so that the watch is able to monitor one’s blood glucose level. The technology utilizes an optical sensor and detects blood glucose level without having to draw blood and it is expected to make a great contribution in assisting those with diabetes and normal people with managing their health.

[clip]

It is also reported that Apple is planning to apply the same feature to the “Apple Watch 7” that is expected to be introduced this year. The company has already secured relevant patented technologies and is currently testing the feature’s reliability and stability before the commercialization.

 

My thoughts

I've been a type one since the age of 1.  I'm... a lot older than that, now.  In 7th grade (long before most of you were even born .. ) I "invented" a watch to help measure my blood sugar.  At the time, I had no clue how to build it.  But if this comes to pass, I'm totally claiming credit for the idea. 

 

Kidding aside, I may actually break down and buy an Apple Watch if they're successful with this.  While I'm certain it won't completely replace finger sticking, it will help a diabetic watch trends throughout the day assuming it's accurate enough.  That will be a huge help.

 

Hopefully I can successfully wear that expensive watch without destroying it like I have most of the other watches I've owned.

 

Sources

https://english.etnews.com/20210125200002

[Fragment323]

Looks like next xmas gift for my mum. Exciting.

[WillLTT]

56 minutes ago, jasonvp said:

--snip--

Sounds like something id want, Nice feature definetly. 

[Moonzy]

Not a diabetic (that I know of)

But I'm actually interested in comparing my blood sugar vs my performance in games, I feel like I perform better after a meal usually

[Rauten]

My opinion on most smart watches is that they are cool for, like, a couple days? And then they become sources of buyer's remorse. Never saw a good reason for almost anyone to buy them.

But if they manage to pull this off? Damn... this could become an absolute must have for diabetics, if they have decent reliability.

[Bananasplit_00]

I mean i have wanted a smart watch again ever since I lost mine and knowing my blood sugar level wo definitely be quite nice for entirely non diabetic reasons so this may be something that I would buy tbh

[Doobeedoo]

Ooh, as someone with low blood sugar, this would be quite neat. If it ends up in next Galaxy Watch and it's shown to work well and be precise, might get one really. Never even cared about smartwatches though but hey this would be great.

[WereCatf]

1 hour ago, Rauten said:

My opinion on most smart watches is that they are cool for, like, a couple days?

I feel like an outlier, but I still haven't seen a smartwatch that I'd considered cool let alone something I'd even remotely want to buy. Just don't see the appeal.

[StDragon]

Apple and Samsung? I'm thinking some other company developed the optical IC, but signed exclusive contracts? If not, there could be a flood of other wristband products that do the same thing but a lot cheaper. Think solid-state accelerometer chips, they're practically in every mobile device nowadays.

[jasonvp]

34 minutes ago, WereCatf said:

I feel like an outlier, but I still haven't seen a smartwatch that I'd considered cool let alone something I'd even remotely want to buy. Just don't see the appeal.

I've avoided the SmartWatch(tm) thing because of my lack of spatial awareness when it comes to the ends of my arms.  I can't count the number of times I've ignorantly rounded a corner and thought my arm was cleared of it, but found out...

 

WHAM!!

 

...my wrist slams into the wall I thought I'd just cleared.  I've nuked a number of watches doing that, and my concern is that I'd just destroy the smart watch in question.  Instead, I wear a G-Shock and have for years.  It'll go through the wall I hit. 

 

22 minutes ago, gabrielcarvfer said:

Is that relevant without insulin/glucagon measurements?

I'm not what you mean by this.  Is what relevant, exactly?

[jasonvp]

36 minutes ago, gabrielcarvfer said:

Measuring blood sugar?

Nope.  For us in the US, the measurement is a simple mg glucose/dL blood.

[XGoodGuyFitz]

5 hours ago, jasonvp said:

--snip--

100% gonna buy

 

[AldiPrayogi]

Is it FDA approved though? How accurate is it?

[TheRandomness]

Between finger pricks and the libre sensors... I might get myself a smart watch after never considering them before exclusively for this purpose. I'd like to know the accuracy beforehand though.

[Distinctly Average]

I don't wear a watch, never really have. Nor am I diabetic. I have seen this tech often mentioned and detailed but never thought it would come from the likes of Apple. If they pull this off and it is accurate enough then hats off to them big time. Even if it just hits rough brackets to warn users they need to act soon it will be a big bonus, Love or hate Apple, they do sometimes come up with something very worthwhile.