Although Apple Watch Series 4 came out two years ago and even stopped production, users from Russia did not get access to the ECG function. Of course, not only us were cheated. For the first three months, she did not even work in the United States, let alone any other country in the world. However, Apple managed to systematically launch the ECG measurement function plus or minus everywhere except Russia, where this function still does not work. How will it be with blood oxygen measurement? Let’s figure it out.
SpO2 is the same as a pulse oximeter – a sensor for determining oxygen in the blood
–
Представлены Apple Watch Series 6 с измерением уровня кислорода в крови
The reason the ECG function did not work and does not work in Russia is the lack of permission from the local regulatory authorities. The fact is that an ECG measurement sensor is, in fact, medical equipment, and their circulation is strictly regulated in most countries of the world, including ours. But either the domestic authorities did not like something, or Apple did not want to bother, but the company from Cupertino failed to obtain such permission in Russia. It is good that there should be fewer questions about SpO2 sensors.
SpO2 sensor in Apple Watch
–
The normal oxygen content in the blood is 95%
–
The function of measuring oxygen in blood, which debuted in the Apple Watch Series 6, will work simultaneously in more than 100 countries around the world, including Russia. But the large number of markets where Apple will include SpO2 sensors doesn’t mean the technology doesn’t need to be matched at all. In fact, it is necessary, just for some reason there are fewer requirements for it. Another thing is that in China, the innovation was still blocked, and therefore it will not be available there – at least at the start of sales.
Представлены Apple Watch SE — недорогая версия Apple Watch 6
Blood oxygen saturation, also known as SpO2, is a very important vital sign. It contains important information about your breathing and circulation. Blood oxygen and pulse oximetry are terms that we have heard many times during the COVID pandemic. When you breathe, your heart and lungs work together to deliver oxygen throughout your body. Pulse oximetry is a technique that measures how efficiently your body is supplied with oxygen, ”explained Sumbul Desai, Apple’s vice president of public health.
Measuring blood oxygen using Apple Watch
–
Apple Watch Series 6 is the only Apple smartwatch where SpO2 works
–
By and large, the function of measuring oxygen in the blood is not complicated. That is, taking an ECG in this sense is much more difficult and responsible. A pulse oximeter is responsible for scanning the blood for oxygen. It shines through the skin and determines the color of the blood. The darker the blood, the higher the hemoglobin content, the oxygen-carrying protein. Then the necessary calculations are made and the Apple Watch decides how much oxygen is present in the blood as a percentage.
Нам всем жизненно необходим пульсоксиметр в Apple Watch
Ironically, the function of measuring oxygen in the blood officially appeared only in Apple Watch Series 6, although previous models of Apple smartwatches were also supplied with the necessary set of sensors. It was even in the very first Apple Watch, which was confirmed by the disassembly from iFixit. Apparently, Cupertino planned to include them a little later, but then something went wrong, and it was decided to abandon this venture. This is rather odd considering that Apple only needed to supply compatible watch models with the necessary software.
–
