Samsung conducts research on non-invasive glucose monitoring and continuous blood pressure measurement

Bloomberg reports that Samsung is conducting research to develop non-invasive (no skin penetration or body entry) glucose monitoring and continuous blood pressure measurement, which has been set up to meet ambitious healthcare goals and compete with Apple and other tech giants.

This work is part of a broader attempt to bring healthcare features to a variety of devices, including the newly announced Galaxy Ring, according to project manager Hong Park. The company aims to provide consumers with a complete picture of their well-being through sensors placed on different parts of the body and around the home.

Health-related features are already key selling points for smartphones and watches. Samsung, Apple, and Google all use these features to attract and retain customers. Developing sensors to continuously measure blood pressure and glucose levels would be a particularly significant breakthrough. Apple has already been working on measuring glucose levels without puncturing the skin for years, potentially benefiting millions of diabetics.

According to Samsung's head of digital health, the work is all about developing non-invasive methods for measuring blood pressure and glucose levels. Park hopes that within five years, non-invasive glucose monitoring could be available on the market in some form. He also noted that Samsung is exploring different technology platforms and miniaturisation for glucose and other health metrics.

Last week, Samsung announced the development of a Galaxy Ring with health sensors. The company plans to release the product by the end of 2024 in different colours and sizes, and will initially use it to track physical activity and sleep, and later add more healthcare features. Smart rings are already on the market by companies such as Oura and provide an alternative for those who don't like wearing a watch but still want to track their health and sleep quality.

What is non-invasive monitoring?

Non-invasive measurement is the process of diagnosing or monitoring the body without penetrating the skin or entering the body through any bodily cavities. This means that non-invasive measurements do not use tools that physically enter the body, such as surgical procedures or invasive diagnostic tests:

• Blood pressure monitoring: Using a cuff that inflates on the arm, blood pressure can be measured without entering the body.
• Pulse oximetry: Measuring the level of oxygen in the blood using a device that is attached to the finger or ear.
• Ultrasound examination: The use of ultrasound waves to create images of internal organs, such as during pregnancy.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG): A recording of the heart's electrical activity through electrodes attached to the skin.

Why it is important

These methods are less painful and have a lower risk of complications compared to invasive procedures. However, it is important to understand that they may have limitations in accuracy or information compared to invasive methods in some situations.

Source: Bloomberg