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| This illustration photo, taken in Los Angeles on December 26, 2023, by Chris DELMAS/AFP, shows an Apple Watch 9 showing the blood-oxygen level sensing settings. |
Apple has chosen to remove a blood oxygen measurement tool from two of its watch models in an effort to avoid a sales ban in the US, Bloomberg reports. The sales of the Apple Watch products were previously halted due to a patent dispute over the devices' pulse oximeter feature.
The blood oxygen monitor function helps people check if their blood oxygen level is low, which can cause major health problems. However, the devices were withdrawn after the ITC found that Apple had unlawfully copied blood oxygen technology from Masimo, a medical technology company.
The blood oxygen monitor function helps people check if their blood oxygen level is low, which can cause major health problems. However, the devices were withdrawn after the ITC found that Apple had unlawfully copied blood oxygen technology from Masimo, a medical technology company.
The two watch models were put on temporary sales halt by the International Trade Commission due to a patent dispute, but they were eventually allowed to return to the market in December 2023 when a federal court removed the halt.
Due to the ITC ruling, Apple's online sales were suspended in the US before Christmas. Nevertheless, the company has stated that by December 30, the products were more widely accessible. The two watch models, Series 9 and Ultra 2, were accessible at Apple's online store by noon Pacific Time on December 28.
Pulse oximetry is a test that measures the blood's oxygen saturation, or oxygen level. Typically, a probe, which resembles a clip, is placed on body parts like a finger or earlobe. The probe then uses light to measure the blood's oxygen saturation, allowing the healthcare provider to determine whether the patient may require additional oxygen.