3 Ways the New Apple Watch Will Impact the Medical Device Industry

Apple has been a big name in the technology industry for decades since the introduction of its first computer in 1976. It has led the way toward the creation of everything from computers to mobile devices. Now, the tech giant is setting its sights on a new target: the medical device industry. How will the new Apple Watch and the new iOS interface impact the medical device industry?

1. iOS 8 Health Kit
The new iOS Health app and the Health Kit Apple recently released are both designed to improve the health and fitness apps already available on Apple devices.

The Health app allows users to consolidate their health and fitness data—everything from how many calories a user burns to how far they run or how many steps they take during the day. Instead of keeping this information in its respective apps, the Health app collects it all in one user-friendly application.

The Health Kit is a tool for designers who already have health apps on the Apple Store or are planning on releasing related apps in the near future. This kit provides the app developer with the necessary tools and permissions to integrate their app with the new Health App so all the user’s health information will be collected in one location. It will also allow a number of different medical monitoring devices, such as blood pressure cuffs and glucose monitors, to sync with the Apple Watch and health apps so all the data can be recorded.

The app and Health Kit may also, in the future, be able to transmit information directly to the patient’s health records. A partnership with companies like Mayo Clinic would allow the information collected by the Health Kit and the iOS Health App to be added automatically to the patient’s file, where medical professionals could access it and use it as part of the treatment plan.

It looks like Apple is trying to turn its phones and watches into full-blown medical devices, tapping into the $136 billion annual market.

2. A Portable ECG
The Apple Watch’s new upgrade puts it on par with many professional heart rate monitors. The new updates improve the watch’s already integrated heart rate monitoring software with heart rate notification, heart rhythm screening, and even portable electrocardiogram (ECG) measurement.

While not a replacement for a doctor’s visit, the portable ECG could help users identify intermittent heart problems that might not always show up when a patient visits their doctor’s office. The ECG measurement can be examined by a doctor as well. It’s been classified as a Class II medical device and has been given a de novo clearance by the FDA, meaning there is no legally marketed device that it can be compared with at the moment. This will likely change in the future as more mobile medical devices make an appearance.

3. Glucose Monitoring
Monitoring blood sugar levels is important for individuals with diabetes and other pancreatic conditions that affect insulin production, but stopping to poke your finger multiple times during the day can take up a lot of time, in addition to being uncomfortable. Mobile blood glucose monitors are still in their infancy but one has already announced a partnership with Apple.

Dexcom is working on a mobile noninvasive glucose monitor that won’t require a finger prick. It will also be designed to sync with the Apple Watch so users can monitor their blood glucose levels without ever having to pull out their glucose monitor. If these noninvasive glucose monitors prove to be accurate and get FDA approval, it could turn the entire glucose monitoring device industry on its ear.

The Apple Watch is a useful tool and can do everything from monitoring our health to answering our text messages while we’re on the move. Now, though, it could be a great tool for helping Apple fans monitor their health. Apple is making a big move into the medical device industry. With so many people choosing the Apple Watch over other health and fitness monitors, this could be a good move for the company—and an interesting challenge for companies already producing medical devices.