Apple patent describes using AirPods to detect heart disease, likely next year

9to5Mac recently discovered evidence in iOS 18 that Apple is testing using future AirPods models to measure heartbeat, with our sources indicating that the feature will be implemented in both AirPods Pro 3 and the next generation of Powerbeats Pro.

An Apple patent application describes how the company can use a health sensor not just to measure heart-rate, but also to detect heart disease …

AirPods heart rate functionality

We reported earlier this month on the new code.

Code found in the latest beta refers to new wireless earbuds with a heart-rate sensor. “Wear both earbuds during workouts to track and send your heart rate to Apple Health. Manage in Bluetooth settings,” the string reads. The string is part of a system component that manages the setup of Apple’s wireless headphones, such as AirPods and Beats.

Our sources tell us we can expect this feature to launch next year.

According to our reliable sources, AirPods Pro 3 won’t be the only earbuds to feature the new health sensor. Apple also has plans to add the same heart-rate sensor to the next generation of Powerbeats Pro.

Can be used to detect heart disease

Apple’s patent application (spotted by Patently Apple) describes how microphones inside the ear canal could be used to identify pointers to “heart pathology,” aka heart disease.

A device that includes a microphone may be worn in or on an ear of a user. A microphone signal generated by the microphone may be processed to determine a heart activity of a user. An indication of a heart pathology may be detected by applying a predictive algorithm to at least the heart activity.

Heart pathologies include a range of conditions that relate to a person’s heart, such as, for example, blood vessel disease (e.g., coronary artery disease), heart rhythm problems (e.g., arrhythmias), heart defects (e.g., congenital heart defects), heart valve disease, disease of the heart muscle, heart infection, or other heart pathologies […]

Processing the microphone signal may include applying a filter (e.g., a low pass filter) to the microphone signal. The microphone signals may be processed to sense an infrasound signal in the microphone signal. Additionally, or alternatively, processing the microphone signal to determine the heart activity may include sensing an ultrasound signal in the microphone signal. The microphone signal may be processed to detect a signal that indicates a heartbeat or other movement of such as blood flow that gives information about the heart.

At the most basic level, bradycardia (abnormally low heart rate) and tachycardia (abnormally high heart rate) could be detected. But more sophisticated detection can also be achieved.

For example, the first heart activity and the second heart activity may be compared. Comparing the first heart activity and the second heart activity may include detecting a difference in strength between the first heart activity and the second heart activity. Additionally, or alternatively, comparing the first heart activity and the second heart activity may include detecting a difference in timing between the first heart activity and the second heart activity.

Detecting the blockage in the carotid artery may include using an artificial neural network to detect the blockage in the carotid artery based on the first heart activity and the second heart activity.

AirPods Pro 3 are expected to launch next year, with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman indicating that these will include health sensors.

Image: 9to5Mac collage of images from Apple and Jamie Street on Unsplash