The iWatch could use optical sensors to measure our oxygen level and heart rate

New rumor session about the possible features and functions that the would include iWatch, the smart watch that the company prepares, which may see the light in the next Keynote or throughout the year. On this occasion, as reported by MacRumors, the watch could use a series of optical sensors to measure the level of oxygen that we have in blood and our heart rate at any time.

The electronics analyst sun chang xu states that the iWatch will include these aforementioned optical sensors to measure physical parameters. In a report published in Electrical Engineering Times, this analyst suggests that Apple has also wanted to incorporate glucose monitoring into the smart watch, but the technology is not reliable enough to turn it into the final product with the desired quality. This information comes from sources in the supply chain who are familiar with the matter.

We cannot affirm that all this series of rumors indicate that the iWatch incorporates these characteristics and they are correct, what we do know is that various medical devices already incorporate this type of sensors to make those measurements with great accuracy. For example, pulse oximeters or blood oxygen meters, use light and optical sensors for their measurement, in addition to being devices that can be bought, of not very high price and to have at home. So why couldn't Apple include it on your device?

The only downside at the moment that we can add to this information is that the existing devices perform the measurement in a thin skin on one end of the body, such as the tips of the fingers or toes and the earlobe, the device shines with a light of two wavelengths through a person's body and in a photodetector the sensor measures changes in the absorbance of the wavelengths and uses this information to calculate the oxygen concentration of the blood. For this it would be one more technology difficult to carry to the wrist and have constant skin contact without moving to make a good measurement.

What we do know for sure is that the Cupertino company is working hard to provide us with a great product and we will have no doubt that given all the series of rumors and possible leaks that have been made and will continue to be made in these weeks, the iWatch will measure our pulse, a device focused on our health and fitness, not being a mere 'reader' of notifications from our iPhone.

Do you believe all this series of rumors about the iWatch?

More information - iWatch: everything we know (or think we know)