When Apple unveil FDA - pass ECG capacity with the Apple Watch Series 4 , it spurred a slew of other wearables companies to do the same . Now , wellness tech company AliveCor hasfiled a complaintwith the U.S. International Trade Commission claiming the Cupertino - based technical school giant allegedly contravene on three of its ECG patents . And it wants the ITC to block imports of the Apple Watch into the U.S.—a move that , if grant , would also impede sales of the watch once stocktaking runs out .
You may call up AliveCor as the creator of the KardiaBand , an ECG watch shoulder strap that was the firstFDA - cleared Apple Watch accessory . When Apple launch the Series 4 in 2018 , many pondered what that meant for the KardiaBand . At the time , AliveCor ’s then - CEO Vic Gundotra shrugged off concern inan consultation with CNBC , and even seemingly “ thanked ” Apple for shining a light on the concept of mobile ECG devices . AliveCor iterate those sentiments a few month later on , tellingMobiHealthNewsthat “ We ’re not convinced that Apple ’s excellent , engaging product is a competitor yet … So their technology is excellent , but we think the platform is both complicated and expensive and certainly not , from a selling perspective , targeting the patient population we direct . ”
Even so , by August 2019 the troupe hadpulled KardiaBand from the marketand swivel to its other products , like the KardiaMobile 6L , a six - lead personal ECG gadget .
Photo: Caitlin McGarry/Gizmodo
“ AliveCor compete that Apple Inc. is infringe AliveCor ’s asserted patent through the sale of Apple watches that employ infringing functionality , ” AliveCor said in a press loss about its ITC ailment . “ file in the ITC is one pace , among others , AliveCor is accept to obtain relief for Apple ’s intentional copying of AliveCor ’s patented technology — including the ability to take an ECG interpretation on the Apple Watch , and to do heart rate depth psychology — as well as Apple ’s endeavor to eliminate AliveCor as competition in the essence pace analysis grocery for the Apple Watch . ”
Back in December , AliveCor alsofiled a lawsuitagainst Apple , say that the Apple Watch Series 4 , 5 , and 6 infringed on the same three patents , which all look at with the power to monitor and cut through cardiac arrhythmia , include tachycardia ( faster than normal marrow rate ) , bradycardia ( slower than normal heart rate ) and atrial fibrillation ( irregular heart pace ) . In the case , AliveCor sound out its letters patent are “ novel , unconventional and center on specific mean and methods of using specialised sensors in a wearable twist to improve upon survive cardiac monitoring engineering . ” It also contends that Apple was well aware of these patents when it created the Series 4 , 5 , and 6 .
While it ’s very potential that AliveCor has a leg to stand on here , there are some questions that need answering . For starter , why now ? It ’s been nearly three years since the Series 4 launch , and two since AliveCor pull the KardiaBand . It ’s probably true that the Series 4 made something like the KardiaBand seem unneeded for Apple users , but another giving way out was that the Series 4 did n’t require users to visit a MD who would review the readings before being able to get at their results . TheKardiaBand did . That said , the troupe itself swivel a long sentence ago to the KardiaMobile and KardiaMobile 6L. Both are portable devices that deliver spot check ECG readings , with the latter featuring six leads compare to the individual lead in the Apple Watch ( and other ECG - capable smartwatches ) . At $ 150 , the 6L is importantly cheaper than ECG - capable Apple Watches and not hold in to iOS substance abuser . In general , these devices , their employment cases , and Leontyne Price points are somewhat unlike . Even if you had an ECG - open Apple Watch for continuous monitoring , you might still want the KardiaMobile 6L for more in - profoundness readings .
The underlie engineering in these devices might be similar , but then again , the concept of a closed circuit to take an ECG is also not a secret . That ’s just how ECGs knead . Algorithmically speak , there ’s no style to fuck how Apple ’s algorithm differed from AliveCor ’s in detecting abnormality found on publicly available information . That tell , Apple launch its own Apple Heart Study in 2017 with Stanford to see how the ticker might be useful for monitoring irregular heart rhythm using the PPG sensing element . Other third - political party study were also convey around that time indicate that Apple Watches , Fitbits , and other off - the - ledge tracker could identifyarrhythmiaandother heart conditions .
Another doubt is whether AliveCor stand for to sue Samsung , Fitbit , and Withings for patent violation as well , give that they have all since released ECG - adequate to smartwatches that serve likewise to the Apple Watch . Gizmodo reached out to both AliveCor and Apple for gossip , but did not immediately receive a reply .
In any case , if AliveCor is successful in its lawsuit and ITC complaint , that would have huge implications for wearables as a whole . in good order now , the Apple Watch is the top - selling smartwatch , and blocking imports into the U.S. would be kneecap Apple in its biggest market , all while it ’s in the midst of rolling out ECG functionalityto other country .
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