A New York University cardiologist has accused Apple of using Apple’s patented heartbeat monitoring invention in Apple Watch. Moreover, he demands a compensation from Apple.
Dr. Joseph Wiesel of New York University School of Medicine filed a lawsuit against Apple in Brooklyn federal court on Friday. He insists that Apple Watch violated his patent for arrhythmia detection.
In promoting the Apple Watch, Apple said that the watch’s function can detect the heart rate of the wearer. According to the detection, it will provide notification of heart rate irregularities. Apple’s wearables division, which includes Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Beats headphones, is Apple’s fastest-growing business. It generates more than $24 billion in revenue for the fiscal year ending September 2019.
Wessel claims that his invention includes a “groundbreaking move” in the field of atrial fibrillation detection. The invention monitors irregular pulse rhythms over a series of time intervals. He said that he not only first contacted Apple in September 2017, but also provided Apple with his patent details.
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He stated in the lawsuit that Apple refused to conduct negotiations in good faith to avoid the lawsuit. Besides, he asked the court to order Apple to pay him royalties to prevent Apple from using his invention without permission. However, Apple representatives have not yet commented.
Apple watch heart rhythm detection system
Although the Apple Watch does not provide a final conclusion into whether a person is actually suffering from Atrial fibrillation (AFib), it gives a sign to go to a doctor. Irregular heartbeat can lead to blood clot formation in the heart. That then embolises to the brain also causing stroke. So, these readings will make people consult their physicians about their heart health.
New electrodes built into the back crystal and Digital Crown on Apple Watch Series 4 or later, work together with the ECG app to enable customers to take an ECG similar to a single-lead reading.
To take an ECG recording at any time or following an irregular rhythm notification, hold their finger on the Digital Crown. As the user touches the Digital Crown, the circuit is completed and electrical signals across their heart are measured.After 30 seconds, the heart rhythm is classified as either AFib, sinus rhythm or inconclusive.The irregular rhythm notification feature was recently studied in the Apple Heart Study. With over 400,000 participants, as a result, the Apple Heart Study was the largest screening study on atrial fibrillation ever conducted.
Although accurate worldwide estimates are lacking, it should be noted, calculations suggest that over one per cent of the adult population is affected with atrial fibrillation in the developed world.