It seems like Microsoft is trying to get back in the health wearable space after abandoning the Microsoft Band in 2016. Neowin reports on a new patent filing by Microsoft, which says the tech giant has filed a patent for a multidimensional optical sensor which could detect heart rate, pulse wave velocity, blood and tissue oxygenation, and even blood pressure.
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“A rather interesting new wearables-related technology has been patented by the Redmond firm - a device containing a multi-dimensional optical sensor to generate and output data regarding hemodynamics of users. Notably, the device is stated to be incorporable with wearables,” Neowin said in the report.
According to Neowin, Microsoft believes that one-dimensional optical sensors found in currently available wearable devices may not accurately measure health data and are quite limiting. For example, the sensor may report inaccurate data while the person is walking. Moreover, these sensors fail to deliver accurate data on other fitness-related matters which are essential to the wearer’s health, the report said.
For the reasons, the advanced sensor proposed by Microsoft aims to not only address the inaccuracies in measurement, but also measure new hemodynamics – the dynamics of blood flow. The sensor will be able to detect and then display include arterial heart rate, arterial blood oxygenation, pulse waveform, tissue pulse, arterial stiffness, rate, tissue oxygenation, and many more.
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The design is reportedly more accurate than existing optical sensors found in wearables, and also less invasive than clinical measuring tools.
The sensor could be incorporated into various wearable devices including devices such as smartwatches and fitness trackers or devices worn on arm and leg. One of the patent images shows a sensor built into a pair of glasses, over the wearer’s temple, reports MobiHealthNews.
