Innovation often comes from the places you least expect.
For example, Asusclaimedit cracked the code for measuring blood pressure with its slim-form VivoWatch 6 Aero.
You dont have to go back very far tofind smartwatchesthat have tried to offer accurate blood pressure readings.
© Asus
Every major watch maker is trying to push blood pressure monitoring in a variety of different ways.
Thelatest Samsung Galaxy Watchesrequire you to sit in place while the PPG sensor takes a blood oxygen measurement.
The typical method for checking blood pressure is with the classic inflatable cuff.
If that sounds a little out of left field, Asus solution is even more off the cuffliterally.
Asus VivoWatch 6 Aero watch asks users to put their finger on a front sensor for active BP measurements.
Its not quite the holy grail of smartwatch sensing tech, which is still accurate blood glucose monitoring.
The wrist-facing sensors include PPG (photo-plethysmography) and ECG (electro-cardiogram).
The rear PPG passively determines blood oxygen levels as well.
The watchs extra photo-plethysmography sensor is on the 1.1-inch watch face.
That PPG can estimate blood pressure by measuring how light passes through your fingertip.
It can also take an active reading of your blood oxygen level.
Neither the product page nor press release mention anything about clearance for the U.S.
The product page also mentions that the VivoWatch 6 Aero is not a medical unit.
Otherwise, the slim-form watch is light though relatively basic.
Most smart rings, such as theOura RingandSamsung Galaxy Ringalso cant monitor blood pressure.
Apple has beendesperateto make a machine that incorporates blood pressure reading, too.
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