Apple bags patent for blood pressure monitor design

California: Apple has patented a design for a device that would help monitor blood pressure more seamlessly.

The design is for a wearable blood pressure monitor, which would resemble a cuff, and come equipped with sensors that track the blood pressure of the wearer, The Verge has reported.

The patent further describes the device to come equipped with a touchscreen and possible inclusion of Bluetooth support.

"These devices work through a collection of tiny airbags, or 'cells' in the patent, to exert pressure on the wearer's arm and cut off blood flow. From there, the device gets a measure of the heart's maximum output before releasing to get a measure of the heart's resting output," the Verge report asserted.

According to the US Trademark and Patent Office, the description of the patented wearable said: "A low-profile blood pressure measurement system and methods of use are disclosed. The system includes an expandable member or structure that has a multi-compartment structure and/or is mounted on a rigid surface or structure."

The patent design of blood pressure monitor also has an "actuator" to measure how much pressure is needed to get a good reading without crushing the user's arm entirely.

"It seems to be a device whose function could very well be rolled into future Apple Watch devices down the line," The Verge report added.

Apple's proposed product would reportedly eliminate the need for cardiac-concerned users to go through other third parties. However, the company needs to have approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which needs to oversee the development of its first full-on medical device before hitting the markets.