The patent is another signal of Apple’s work turning its smartwatch into a medical device.
The sunscreen detector is called a UV-IR spectrometer and is designed for either the watch or the watch band to identify the degree of sunscreen coverage in exposed areas of the skin. The detector will search for parts of the skin where sunscreen is missing or inadequate and could help notify users when to reapply sunscreen or whether they may be in the early stages of sunburn.
The detector may involve a visible light source that guides users to scan a skin region to check for sun protection. The spectrometer might then display a visual on the watch’s face or trigger a sound based on the amount of UV light the skin has absorbed or reflected.
Apple’s patent application was published July 19 and was originally filed December 2017.
More articles on health IT:
New Google Cloud partnership bolsters data security for health IT developers
Hospitals’ top IT goal? Patient experience, Impact Advisors report says
Precision Medicine Group acquires medical communication company
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
