Fitbit secures blood pressure sensor patent

Fitbit recently received a patent for a wristworn blood pressure sensor, indicating that the metric could soon be incorporated into its smartwatches. The Google-owned wearable technology company indicated two years ago that blood pressure measurement — typically limited to an arm cuff — was in its development plans, but this signals a big leap forward in the technology.

According to a patent published by the US Patent and Trademark Office and credited to Fitbit principal scientist Shelten Yuen, a user is prompted to place an index finger on the device’s monitor. A force gauge will guide the wearer to push down the appropriate amount for an accurate reading of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Fitbit had begun measuring a key related metric, pulse arrival time, on its Sense smartwatches in 2021 which were understood to be a precursor to the full blood pressure measurements.