Patent War In Healthcare Wearables
Published Dec 20, 2023
If Apple Watch happened to be on your holiday shopping list, the news we have might have you on the move.
Here’s a glimpse into what we’re covering today:
Patent War In Healthcare Wearables
What’s Happening: Apple is pulling its Apple watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches from the US markets to comply with an import ban issued by the International Trade Commission. This comes following its patent dispute with medical technology company Masimo over the blood oxygen feature and SpO2 sensor on the devices.
The bigger picture: Recent times have seen blurring of lines between consumer health wearables and FDA approved medical devices.
Non-medical devices provide useful insight into behaviors that may lead to better health. They also open up new avenues of opportunity for healthtech entrepreneurs looking to dabble in the world of healthcare mobile and wearable apps. However, for medically relevant readings, approved medical devices is what patients need to fall back on.
The recall comes in wake of another patent battle of Apple and AliveCor over portable ECG tech.
What’s next: Apple Watches with blood oxygen measuring capabilities will be removed from Apple’s website from tomorrow, and from its stores on Dec. 24. The older version of the Apple Watch, which tracks heart rate and physical activity, will still be available.
The ITC import ban is currently undergoing a presidential review period, and President Joe Biden will have the opportunity to veto it by Dec. 25.
In the meanwhile, Apple is working on a range of legal and technical options, if the ban holds. Engineers at Apple are moving to make changes to algorithms in the smartwatches, adjusting how the technology determines oxygen saturation and presents the data to customers, Bloomberg reported.
The bigger implication is around whether or not Apple can use the blood oxygen sensor technology that is in question on future devices, or if they'll have to reach a settlement or come up with a new solution.
