Shortly after the announcement of the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition, Patently Apple discovered a fascinating patent that Samsung filed recently. This patent outlines a sensor that has the potential to enable various devices to measure a user's blood pressure. The filing suggests that this sensor could be applicable for smartwatches, tablets, laptops, and foldable smartphones.
Sensor Integration in Devices
The illustrations included in the patent display the sensor being used in a foldable smartphone. It explains how a PPG sensor, similar to the one found in the Galaxy Watch7, would be incorporated directly into the display. Instead of using the typical red and green LEDs for tracking the user's pulse and blood oxygen levels, the screen's pixels take on this role. The emitted light's color and brightness can be modified based on touch pressure to optimize the signal-to-noise ratio continuously.
Functionality of Pixels
Interestingly, the pixels also act as light-sensitive sensors at the same time. While PPG sensors typically only track heart rate and blood oxygen, this setup would require a pressure sensor alongside the PPG sensor to determine blood pressure by measuring how firmly a user presses their finger against the display.
Accuracy Concerns
However, the precision of the blood pressure readings from this sensor remains uncertain. The Galaxy Watch7, for example, needs calibration with a traditional blood pressure monitor to ensure its readings are accurate. In contrast, the Huawei Watch D2 employs a more sophisticated method that utilizes an inflatable wristband functioning like a blood pressure cuff, with users needing to keep their wrist at heart level for correct measurements. It’s worth noting that patents do not guarantee that Samsung plans to produce such a device.
USPTO via Patently Apple
