Samsung is teaming up with Stanford Medicine to enhance the obstructive sleep apnea detection feature on Galaxy Watches, aiming to provide more comprehensive insights for managing the condition using AI.
The partnership’s goal is to uncover ways and features that could not only recognize sleep apnea in a Galaxy Watch wearer but also provide meaningful insights for managing the condition. Samsung plans to use AI to further this goal. The tech brand’s obstructive sleep apnea feature has already received de novo classification from the US Food and Drug Administration, a regulatory pathway that authorizes new health devices that are not created upon a “predicate device.” By late April, the feature will be available in 29 markets globally.
Sleep apnea is a significantly underdiagnosed condition, with reports estimating that over 30 million people in the US suffer from it. This has prompted several tech brands, including Apple, OnePlus, and Samsung, to create insights and detections in their smartwatches that spot sleep apnea, making symptom spotting and diagnosis more accessible. Apple’s Series 10 and Ultra 2 Apple Watch gained FDA clearance for the feature last year, and OnePlus is aiming to do the same with its Watch 3.
The collaboration between Samsung and Stanford Medicine emphasizes the importance of the ethical, equitable, and evidence-based use of technology in managing sleep apnea. “The ethical, equitable and evidence-based use of technology, after its validation through research is crucial in developing new approaches to detection and management of sleep apnea and other serious sleep-related health conditions,” said Robson Capasso, MD, FAASM, Chief of Sleep Surgery, Professor of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine.
The focus on condition management, rather than just detection, reflects a broader trend within the wearables space. Thanks to advancements in AI, tech brands can now develop features that detect various conditions, from atrial fibrillation to sleep apnea, and are moving towards more comprehensive symptom management. Samsung’s Head of Digital Health, Praveen Raja, outlined the company’s vision for “a comprehensive system that supports you through every stage of your health journey.” This includes measuring current health, providing personalized health insights and coaching, and connecting users with healthcare providers and caregivers.
“Our vision is to develop a comprehensive system that supports you through every stage of your health journey,” Praveen Raja said. “From measuring your current health to giving you personalized health insights and coaching, and connecting you with providers and caregivers.” This approach underscores the evolving role of wearables in healthcare, moving beyond simple detection to holistic health management.
