Apple Faces Sales Ban on Flagship Smartwatches Following Patent Dispute with Masimo

Apple is expected to remove the capability to detect pulse rates from its flagship smartwatches after losing a patent case against medical technology company Masimo. The court ruled that Apple must cease selling its Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 devices due to patent infringement related to blood-oxygen measurement technology. Instead of discontinuing sales altogether, Apple sought permission to continue selling the devices by removing the infringing technology. Although Apple has not yet provided details on its plans, analysts believe that existing smartwatches with pulse detection capabilities will not be affected.

The Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 will still offer a range of features such as run tracking, timers, and the ability to detect falls and irregular heartbeats. Apple has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the situation. In October, the International Trade Commission (ITC) found that certain Apple Watches had infringed on Masimo's patents for pulse oximeter technology, which measures the oxygen saturation in red blood cells. As a result, the ITC imposed a ban on the import of Apple's watches, which are manufactured in Asia.

Apple has appealed the ruling, but its request to delay the implementation of the ban until the appeals court makes a decision was denied. To continue selling the watches, Apple received approval from U.S. customs to make technical changes and remove the infringing technology. This compromise represents a setback for Apple's efforts to enhance the health features of its watches. In 2018, the company obtained FDA approval for its watches to measure heart rates through electrocardiogram tests. Subsequently, Apple added features to detect falls, crashes, and pulse rates, further solidifying its position in the medical device market.

Masimo claimed that Apple had discussed acquiring the medical device company but instead poached top executives and employees. Masimo filed a complaint with the ITC in 2020, accusing Apple of stealing its technology. The appeals court is expected to issue a ruling on the case this year.

In a recent report by Bloomberg, it was revealed that Apple is removing the blood oxygen measurement tool from its Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 models to avoid a sales ban in the United States. The move comes after Apple halted sales of the watches due to the ongoing patent dispute with Masimo, a manufacturer of pulse oximeters. The blood oxygen measurement tool, which measures the oxygen saturation in the wearer's red blood cells, was found to be in violation of Masimo's patents by the ITC.

Low blood oxygen levels can lead to serious health conditions, including organ damage. Apple temporarily resumed watch sales in the U.S. after appealing the ITC's decision, but the ban remains in place. Masimo praised Apple's decision to remove the tool from its watches as a step towards accountability and respecting intellectual property rights. Modified Apple watches without the blood oxygen measurement tool have already been shipped to retail stores, but they have not yet been approved for sale. Customers who want the tool should ensure that it is included before making a purchase. Apple has not yet commented on the situation.