Gaby

I’d be curious to hear Jony Ive’s take on this considering his obsessive eye for detail and all the talk of precision engineering and how tight apples tolerances are. To try and dismiss this defect in any way - because that’s what it is, irrespective of what Apple P.R are saying, is absolutely absurd. Not to mention the potential safety issues caused by any further bending due to the structural weaknesses. Moreover what happens when people take the device in for repairs and Apple refuse to undertake it based on the above. And for those like myself that have an unusually keen eye, things like this would drive me insane. Now that may sound silly but it’s reality lol. I’m all for slim devices but they should be creating stronger alloys or using titanium or something of the sort. Even making it thicker by several microns could make all the difference in the integrity of the chassis. I would strongly advise anyone that has an issue not to take no for an answer if you do find yourself with an unhelpful employee. Do not be rude, but make sure to be assertive. 

Correction needed - it wasn’t last year they diversified with the iPhone 7 guys, it was 2016. 

AmaniSofia said:

Gaby said:

AmaniSofia said:

Is this truly EKG monitoring? Is this actually measuring the electrical potential and creating a true QRS complex? I think this is just taking your pulse and converting it to a generic EKG waveform. That is not earth shattering technology. Samsung phones have been able to monitor your pulse and oxygenation level for  quite some time. The potential for true multiple lead EKG monitoring is huge. Many companies are working on it now. However most of these attempts will be thwarted by the FDA and if ever approved will have a hefty medical markup in the American market.

It’s is a 1 lead, two electrode ECG that while in comparison to a full 12 lead is not capable of tracking and detailing comprehensive signals, it is still an electrical heart sensor and works completely differently to photoplethysmography which is used to measure a persons’ Sats, perfusion Index, pulse and HRV etc. So yes it is an ECG but in a more simplistic and user friendly form. It would be interesting if Apple created Bluetooth connected electrodes for other areas of the body as even 1 lead ecg can be used sequentially for full 12 lead recordings. However due to the learning curve I doubt they would go that far, but they could potentially gather more data to be processed by the watch. Couple the ECG with the optical sensors and one already has quite useful data for at home monitoring and sharing with primary care providers. I think future revisions will become extremely useful; I dare say essential. The⌚️in its current form has shown life-saving potential, so I’m extremely excited to see where Apple goes from here. 
Hope this helps 

Thanks for the reply Gaby and for not being salty like Gutengel.  I am a little skeptical as how it could measure that potential using your wrist and applying the opposite finger to the watch. Those would be just two very distal limb leads. It would have to be very sensitive to measure that electrical potential.  I look forward to it coming out and will be trying it out on patients who have a left bundle branch block and will see if the there is truly a difference in the QRS complex. As for wireless monitor there are some promising ones out there. Qardiocore has one that is not yet approved in the states, but is  wearable EKG monitor. Also several companies sell wireless EKG patches that Bluetooth to your phone. These work just like implantable loop recorders. The future potential of these things in the health care setting is huge. Imagine being able to wear a multi lead EKG monitor while your work out. The real hurdle with all these is the FDA which hopefully keep them consumer friendly and affordable.

No worries, I don’t understand people who are snarky, rude or condescending, doesn’t help the one asking the question and really says a lot about a person.  I actually updated my post, as I missed out some points. But the algorithms used have just as much to do with accuracy as the hardware itself in many cases.  I’m In the UK so it’s a different system than the USA, even more stringent regulations in many cases, but in my opinion unless or until that you wish to make claims as to something being intended as a life saving device for example, I think there should be more leeway. I actually remember Tim Cook saying in 2014 or 15 that due to regulations Apple may well release devices alongside the watch but not as part of the device itself as it would slow innovation.  so I was a little surprised. Hopefully, as with regs for automated vehicles they relax or change the rules somewhat allowing for public testing and then if sufficient data is gathered that proves efficacy then they can make whatever health related claims. Regards. 

AmaniSofia said:

Is this truly EKG monitoring? Is this actually measuring the electrical potential and creating a true QRS complex? I think this is just taking your pulse and converting it to a generic EKG waveform. That is not earth shattering technology. Samsung phones have been able to monitor your pulse and oxygenation level for  quite some time. The potential for true multiple lead EKG monitoring is huge. Many companies are working on it now. However most of these attempts will be thwarted by the FDA and if ever approved will have a hefty medical markup in the American market.

It’s is a 1 lead, two electrode ECG that while in comparison to a full 12 lead is not capable of tracking and detailing comprehensive signals, it is still an electrical heart sensor and works completely differently to photoplethysmography, which is used to measure a persons’ Sats, perfusion Index, pulse and HRV etc. So yes it is an ECG but in a more simplistic and user friendly form. Until activated we have no way of knowing for sure but it will likely measure R-R intervals, and possibly more depending on the sensitivity and algorithms used, however, all single leads have limitations as it currently stands. It would be interesting if Apple created Bluetooth connected electrodes for other areas of the body, as even 1 lead ECG can be used sequentially for full 12 lead recordings. However due to the learning curve I doubt they would opt for this, but they could potentially gather more data to be processed by the watch. In terms of the QRS I’m not certain. Nevertheless, coupling the ECG with the optical sensors and one already has useful information for at home monitoring and sharing with primary care providers.
Hope this helps 

I think future revisions will become extremely useful; I dare say essential. The⌚️in its current form has shown life-saving potential, so I am so excited to see where Apple goes from here. Looking toward the next 3-5 years I can imagine them fabricating custom smart clothing with bio-electrodes woven in to provide truly comprehensive medical grade monitoring which would be a a gigantic leap forward and negate the problem of the layman learning about proper lead placement etc...                 When I think of the potential of smart clothing, and the types of sensors and monitoring that can be automated... That type of simplicity and seamless integration just screams Apple to me, and the possibilities are limitless. 

They recently asked me for specific feedback as related to potential sleep tracking features that I would find useful, so it seems they are starting to focus quite deeply now in this area which I’m glad about, and frankly it’s about time too!