The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted clearance for sleep apnea detection on newer Apple Watch models, marking a significant advancement in wearable health technology. This feature, set to be available on the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2, aims to detect signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea in individuals aged 18 and older who have not been previously diagnosed with the condition.
How the Technology Works
The sleep apnea detection feature leverages the Apple Watch's accelerometer to monitor subtle movements at the wrist. According to Apple, these movements are associated with interruptions in normal respiratory patterns. The technology employs advanced machine learning algorithms, trained on an extensive dataset of clinical-grade sleep apnea tests, to identify frequent disturbances occurring over multiple nights, which may indicate sleep apnea.
User Experience and Data Presentation
Apple Watch users can access their nightly Breathing Disturbances data through the Health app on their iPhones. The app classifies disturbances as either "elevated" or "not elevated," providing users with an easily understandable overview of their sleep patterns.
Clinical Validation
Apple has validated the sleep apnea detection feature through a clinical study, ensuring its reliability and accuracy in identifying potential cases of the condition. This validation underscores the company's commitment to providing users with trustworthy health insights.
Availability
The sleep apnea detection feature will be available later this month on the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the U.S. and over 150 other countries and regions. The Apple Watch Series 10 is scheduled to launch on Friday.
