According to Bloomberg’s latest report, Apple is making strides towards creating a no-prick blood glucose tracking device for its Watch, which it had been testing for years.
Apple’s Secret Project
Apple’s ambitious project, initiated when Steve Jobs was at the helm, is to create a non-invasive and continuous blood glucose monitoring system. This project, nicknamed E5, is striving to measure glucose levels without the need for a skin prick. After making major advancements, Apple believes it may be possible to bring this monitoring system to market.
Apple is Developing Breakthrough for Diabetics
Apple is working to develop a breakthrough system that would provide diabetics with an alternative to skin-poking and patch-based methods for monitoring glucose levels. If successful, this would be a tremendous benefit for people with diabetes and further establish Apple as a leader in health care.
And added to their Apple Watch, the device would become an essential item for millions of diabetics around the world. The move could also revolutionize the multibillion-dollar industry, since 1 in 10 Americans have diabetes.
The system uses laser technology, optical absorption spectroscopy and interstitial fluid to detect glucose levels below the skin. Then, an algorithm is used to determine blood glucose levels.
Apple is Developing Noninvasive Glucose Monitoring
Apple is developing a silicon photonics chip to test glucose levels without blood. It uses optical absorption spectroscopy to shine light from a laser under the skin to measure the concentration of glucose in the body. The current prototype is the size of an iPhone, smaller than the prior version, which was big enough to require a tabletop.
Apple has hundreds of engineers in its Exploratory Design Group (XDG) working on the project, and has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on Although the technology is in a “proof-of-concept” stage, it is still years away from being ready for use.
Previous Collaboration with Rockley Photonics
Apple previously worked with Rockley Photonics to create sensors and chips for glucose monitoring. In 2021, Rockley Photonics unveiled a digital sensor system that could monitor body temperature, blood pressure, glucose trends, hydration, alcohol, lactate, and more. Apple was Rockley Photonics’ biggest customer, but the relationship eventually ended.
Apple’s Glucose Monitoring
In 2010, Apple started working on developing alternative glucose monitoring under the guidance of Steve Jobs, having purchased RareLight. For many years, they used Avolante Health LLC to work on the project in a secret facility before it was transferred to the XDG.
The glucose detection technology has been tested on people with prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and those who are not diabetic for the past 10 years. Apple wants to be able to alert individuals if they’re prediabetic, allowing them to make lifestyle changes before full-blown diabetes is developed. They are also in early discussions with the regulatory team to gain authorization for the technology.