Fitbit Werables
Fitbit Werables
Fitbit is working on a probable way to track blood pressure non-invasively through future wearable devices, as revealed in its latest patent (no. 12,239,424 B2). The patent is for a smartwatch or smart ring with biometric sensors made for changes in blood flow and artery stiffness.
These devices are said to use a combination of pressure sensors and optical sensors, such as photoplethysmography (PPG), to detect mechanical changes caused by blood movement through arteries. The data collected would be processed using machine learning for said accuracy, as reported by Android Central.
The wearable device can use inflatable or controlled parts to apply pressure to the skin. This works like traditional blood pressure cuffs but is smaller in size. This could make it possible to measure systolic and diastolic readings without needing bulky medical-grade equipment.
The patent also mentions a smart ring that might be able to track additional health metrics such as glucose levels, lipids, hemoglobin, and diet alongside fitness data.
Fitbit has filed similar patents in the past, including one in 2023 for an FDA-approved watch band designed to inflate for blood pressure measurement.
No timeline has been shared regarding when users might see these options available.