Wearable sensor can monitor obstructive sleep apnea treatment response
A wearable pulse oximeter and connected software platform show promise for monitoring obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and other sleep-related breathing diseases, according to new research released.
The device (pulse oximeter), which is cleared for medical use, was designed for comfort and ease of use; a clinical trial found high rates of utilisation by patients. It could be used to track patient response to OSA treatment over time.
'Investigators in our clinical research trials report how useful longitudinal data are to observe night-to-night variability and the response to treatment of OSA,' said Ketan Mehta, head of product and engineering for Connected Wearables at Apnimed.
'One sleep specialist even reported that it may be better to collect one or two channels of data over 25 nights than 25 channels over one night, which is considered the gold standard with in-lab polysomnography,' Mehta added.
Wearable sensors like the Oura ring and Apple Watch that measure biometrics during sleep are widely used by consumers, but are not cleared for medical use.
At the same time, other medical devices used in sleep studies gather clinically relevant data, but are too cumbersome and costly to use for frequent monitoring. This tool could potentially expand patient access to care through pulmonologists to manage routine sleep apnea in their patients, instead of having to refer them out to a sleep specialist, he added. The device provides a bridge between these two extremes, he said.
Worn as a ring, the device offers several key differences from other consumer wearables. Notably, it uses transmittance-based photoplethysmography, which has been shown to be more suitable for the proximal phalanx region, provide better signal-to-noise ratio, and is more effective in low perfusion situations.
It also engages in continuous data collection, rather than spot checks, he added.
The device connects to an app that users can access from their smartphone, giving patients access to a subset of the same data as their health care providers.
'These data empower both parties to be informed, and they're able to have more meaningful conversations.
This offers the opportunity for shared decision making between patient and provider using digital medicine,' Mehta said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
a day ago
- News18
Shefali Jariwala's Death: How Aesthetic Shortcuts Can Take A Toll On The Heart
Last Updated: The need for quick transformations has led to an increase in the use of steroids and injectables. However, these often come with side effects. The untimely passing of actor and fitness icon Shefali Jariwala at 42 has shaken the wellness community. While she appeared active and healthy, her sudden cardiac arrest has raised urgent questions: Could silent heart damage be hiding behind aesthetic goals and 'quick results'? According to Dr. Mickey Mehta, Global Holistic Health Guru and Spiritual Life Coach, the answer is yes. 'We live in an era of aesthetic obsession," says Dr. Mehta. 'Injectables, neurotoxins, and steroid-based treatments are now freely offered at countless clinics without proper protocols or medical supervision. The quest for quick transformation is costing people their core health." Steroids: The Silent Saboteurs Anabolic steroids, synthetic derivatives of testosterone, are often misused to accelerate muscle gain, fat loss or endurance. While they offer immediate visible changes, their long-term effects are insidious. 'Externally, they may sculpt the body, but internally they disrupt hormonal and molecular harmony," warns Dr. Mehta. 'They interfere with the body's natural communication systems, particularly the autonomic nervous system and hormonal balance." These effects often go unnoticed until it's too late. Ayurveda's Perspective: A Deeper Disruption In Ayurveda, the heart (Hridaya) is considered the seat of Ojas – the body's vital energy and immunity. According to Dr. Mehta, 'Steroids are Tikshna (sharp) and Ushna (hot). They aggravate Pitta dosha, impair Agni (digestive fire), and lead to Ama – toxic accumulation that clogs the heart's subtle channels." Over time, this toxic load not only affects the physical heart but also the energetic and emotional balance, manifesting as anxiety, burnout, aggression or deep fatigue. 'Steroid misuse disrupts the body's bio-clock and depletes Prana Shakti – our life force," Dr. Mehta adds. 'When the body is in constant repair, it forgets how to heal." The Path Forward: Strength Through Simplicity True fitness doesn't come from injections or shortcuts. It emerges from inner alignment, what Dr. Mehta calls 'the harmony of mind, body, and soul." Instead of steroid-fueled extremes, he recommends: view comments First Published: July 19, 2025, 13:04 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hans India
a day ago
- Hans India
Social media monitors us constantly, need to regulate: Centre tells HC
Bengaluru: There was an urgent need for regulation in the digital space, due to the constant surveillance by social media, rising cybercrime, and the evolving threat landscape, the Centre told the Karnataka High Court during a hearing on the X Corp (formerly Twitter) case over content takedown directives. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union Government, argued that internet intermediaries like 'X' must act responsibly and cannot claim the same constitutional rights as individuals. The hearing, before Justice N Nagaprasanna, pertained to X Corp's challenge to the applicability of Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act. It had earlier contended that Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, often used to justify takedown directives, cannot serve as an independent source of executive power to block content. It said that blocking orders can only be issued through due process under Section 69A read with the IT Rules and not via direct instructions under Section 79. Highlighting the extent of digital surveillance, Mehta told the court: 'Today, even a smart TV with a camera is a potential surveillance tool. Many public figures ask visitors to leave their phones outside because these devices have effectively become recorders. We are being continuously monitored by social media,' he said. The Solicitor General also touched upon the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence, calling it a developmental boon but also a potential noted that legal frameworks must evolve to address the threats posed by technological advances. Dismissing X Corp's claim that it enjoys rights under Article 19 (Freedom of Speech and Expression), Mehta asserted that such protections are reserved for individuals, not platforms. 'X is simply a notice board. Only those who post content can claim Article 19 protections,' he said, adding that the Supreme Court in Shreya Singhal v Union of India had clarified that content on public platforms can be regulated in public interest. The case will be heard again on July 18.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
3 days ago
- First Post
Elon Musk's X can't push unlawful content citing 'safe harbour' clause: Indian govt to court
In a submission to the Karnataka High Court, the Centre maintained that Elon Musk's X can't push unlawful content in the name of 'free speech' and under the garb of the 'safe harbour' clause under the IT Act read more A 3D-printed miniature model of Elon Musk and the X logo are seen in this illustration taken January 23, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration On Thursday, the Centre told the Karnataka High Court that allowing the proliferation of unlawful content on social media in the name of 'free speech' endangers the country's democracy. According to The Times of India, the Centre accused Elon Musk's X, formerly known as Twitter, of attempting to escape accountability. The authorities noted that Musk's company is doing so by sheltering itself under the IT Act's 'safe harbour' protection, The Times of India reported. In the letter to the Karnataka High Court, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the constitutional protection to freedom of speech under Article 19(1)(a) must not be misunderstood as absolute protection even of unlawful content. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Constitutional jurisprudence clearly differentiates between protected speech that contributes meaningfully to democratic discourse and unlawful speech that undermines societal stability and individual rights,' Mehta said in the letter, according to a report by the TOI. 'Safe Harbour is not a right but a privilege' The solicitor general noted that the 'Safe Harbour' provision in the IT Act is 'not an absolute right' but a 'privilege contingent upon strict adherence to statutory duties.' The statement from the Centre came after X moved the High Court seeking to restrain government departments from taking coercive action against the social media platform. 'Unlawful and unjustified orders harm the X platform and its ability to operate. The issuance of information blocking orders without following due process of law, and in violation of the IT Act and the Constitution, violates X's right to equality under Article 14 and detrimentally impacts its business," the Centre said in a written submission to the Karnataka High Court. 'Proliferation of what can be termed as unlawful content on social media platforms poses an unprecedented threat to public discourse, democracy and societal stability.' 'Social media intermediaries possess an unparalleled ability to amplify information instantaneously, without traditional barriers like language or geographical limitations, and thus carry significant responsibilities,' Mehta wrote in the submission. Why it matters The government's stance on the matter can have implications for all social media platforms operating in India. This also goes hand in hand with the calls to remove Section 230 of the US's Communications Decency Act, from which social media giants derive their immunity. In the submission, the government argued that X attempted to present 'safe harbour' as an absolute right, devoid of any corresponding duties. 'Such a stand fundamentally misconstrues the very basis of this legal protection. 'Safe harbour' is not a constitutional guarantee but a statutory privilege, specifically designed to foster responsible conduct,' the submission said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Centre said that social media platforms use 'amplification' mechanisms to push visibility of a particular type of view. 'The algorithms used by intermediaries actively curate and boost content, shaping public opinion and significantly influencing social harmony or disorder. This active role demands heightened accountability, necessitating robust regulation specifically tailored for social media, distinct from traditional media,' the submission reads. With inputs from agencies.
