Apple Inc. iWatch Won’t Fall Under FDA; Medical Team Over 200 [REPORT]

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Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will launch iWatch as a peripheral device, which would depend upon the connectivity to an iPhone for users to access all functions, according to MobiHealthNews citing unnamed sources who claim to have “limited but direct knowledge” of the development.

A simpler than expected iWatch

Technology-wise, the device would have simpler features than expected with no sensors for advanced functions such as glucose sensing and hydration tracking. Since the device would not have advanced sensors it might not be regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Recently, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) executives held a meeting with FDA to make it a point that the device would not come under the ambit of mobile medical apps.

The report also noted that the rumored “Healthbook” application of iOS will be integrated with the “iWatch” to record the health data for users. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is concentrating on the “experience” of the device, rather than the technology behind it.

MobiHealthNews expects that the anticipated features in the “Healthbook” include exercise, sleep, stress, reminders for taking medication, and potentially women’s health data related to pregnancy. Though the news site does not have an impressive track record of revealing the reliable news about Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), the same site was the first to surface the news that Michael O’Reilly, former chief medical officer and executive vice president of medical affairs at pulse oximeter firm Masimo Corporation, was hired by Apple.

Apple medical research team growing

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has hired many top line executives from other companies in its medical research team. One of the report clams that the medical research team of Apple now employs over 200 people.

Recent hires to the medical research team include well known fitness consultant Jay Blahnik. Another high profile executive is Nancy Dougherty, who worked as the hardware lead at transdermal medication delivery startup Sano. Prior to Sano, she worked at Proteus for over two years.

Ravi Narasimhan, ex-VP of research and development at health sensor company Vital Connect is also reportedly hired by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). Ravi owns numerous patents related to health sensors. Ueyn Block, who previously worked as Director of Optics & Systems Engineering at C8 MediSensors joined Apple as the technical lead of optical sensing. Todd Whitehurst, Former Vice President of Product Development at Senseonics also joined Apple as the director of hardware development.

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