Apple Watch
Apple is reportedly looking at the possibility of using the Apple Watch to continuously monitor and measure the user's blood pressure. (Photo: Andres Urena/Unsplash(BY CC 2.0))

Apple is in the process of checking whether the Apple Watch can monitor continuously the blood pressure of the user.

Apple is reportedly looking at the possibility of using the Apple Watch to continuously monitor and measure the user's blood pressure. At present, the device can generate on-demand or periodic reports of the user's heart rate. Recent patent filings, however, revealed that the tech giant is examining the possibility of future Apple Watch models to monitor the user's blood pressure continually.

According to Apple's two new patent applications, the company wanted to make it possible for the device to monitor the user's blood pressure continuously. One of the patent applications entitled "Electrical Coupling of Pulse Transit Time (PTT) Measurement System to Heart for Blood Pressure Measurement," states that the Apple Watch can perform the task of monitoring the user's blood pressure without any human intervention continuously.  "Many of the current ambulatory and home blood pressure measurement methods fail to provide continuous monitoring of blood pressure," Apple's patent filing, which looks at the possibility of future Apple Watch devices to monitor blood pressure continuously, stated. The document also revealed that the company is looking for a more effective and convenient approach to measure blood pressure other than using an oscillometric blood pressure measurement cuff, which may disrupt the sleeping pattern of a person.

In another patent application entitled "Blood Pressure Monitoring Using a Multi-Function Wrist-Worn Device," Apple proposed using its smartwatch to perform the task of monitoring the user's blood pressure continuously. The second patent application, which appears like the continuation of the first, describes Apple Watch as part of the process of monitoring continuously the blood pressure of the user.

Each of the new patent applications proposes using Apple Watch for users to monitor their blood pressure continuously. "Output from a pulse arrival sensor, which is attached to the wrist-worn device, is processed to detect that point when the blood pressure pulse generated by ejection of the volume of blood from the left ventricle reaches the wrist of the user," according to one Apple patent application.

The Cupertino tech giant explained, however, that its patent application on the possibility of an Apple Watch to monitor continuously the blood pressure of the user still has a long way to go. The company also said that if the technology is integrated into a future Apple Watch, it would only be used when the doctor recommends continuous monitoring of the user's blood pressure. "Home blood pressure measurements may be recommended where information is desired regarding the effectiveness of blood pressure-lowering medication," Apple said.