Apple iWatch Release Date, Apps News: App Monitors Blood Sugar Levels For Diabetics

Diabetics may find good use of the Apple Watch since it features an app that monitors blood sugar levels.

News about the app was picked up by several media outlets after Apple CEO Tim Cook made a presentation of the Apple Watch to investors on Tuesday.

Developed by the Dexcom med tech firm, the app has a continuous blood sugar monitoring system that works with the aid of a sensor implanted just under the skin of the user. On top of the sensor, a transmitter is then placed which pushes data to a receiver which then displays the data as a graph. With the current Dexcom device, an average of 288 blood sugar readings can be taken without the aid of finger sticks and the traditional glucose meter.

When using the Apple Watch, the actual reading will still be taken by the sensor under the skin and then uploaded to a standard device manufactured by Dexcom, which will in turn send it to an iPhone.

From there, the reading will be relayed to the paired Apple Watch and displayed through its app. This seamless transmission of data to the app on the Apple Watch will allow users to keep an eye on the blood sugar levels without continuously checking their iPhone or glucose monitor provided by Dexcom.

Forbes noted that the new app from Dexcom has already been approved by the F.D.A. This approval process was speeded up as the F.D.A. recently changed its policy regarding medical apps and only brought the actual hardware for medical tests under its preview. This change meant that the Apple Watch would not have to adhere to FDA guidelines as it would only deal with the data transmitted from the glucose monitor to its operating system.

Gigaom stated that during the demonstration of its Apple Watch app, Dexcom did not go into details of whether it would provide any warning if blood sugar levels drop or rise. However, the app could have these features and they could be revealed when the Apple Watch is released in April.