Samsung Electronics, in collaboration with Stanford University, announced a new research project with Stanford Medicine aimed at advancing health solutions using Samsung’s obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) feature. This feature, which is integrated into Samsung's Galaxy Watch and has received De Novo authorization from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), represents a significant innovation in health monitoring technology.
The study will be led by Professor Robson Capasso as the principal investigator and Professor Clete Kushida as the co-principal investigator. The goal of the collaboration is to enhance Samsung’s Sleep Apnea feature by exploring potential improvements in sleep health support through timely interventions. Future efforts will focus on advancing beyond detection, leveraging artificial intelligence technology for daily monitoring and management of sleep apnea.
Samsung’s Sleep Apnea feature identifies signs of moderate to severe OSA. It has obtained approval from Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) and recently from Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA). The feature will be available to users in Brazil by late April, increasing its availability to 29 markets globally. Samsung plans to continue expanding this feature, allowing more users to detect symptoms sooner and potentially prevent long-term health complications associated with sleep apnea.
Professor Robson Capasso emphasized the "ethical, equitable and evidence-based use of technology" in the development of new approaches for detecting and managing sleep apnea and other serious sleep-related health conditions. He expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting its potential to use smartwatches as a friendly and widely accepted wearable technology.
Dr. Hon Pak, Senior Vice President and Head of the Digital Health Team at Samsung Electronics, remarked that the collaboration with Stanford Medicine is expected to combine "deep technological expertise with Stanford’s leading research capabilities" to foster innovation in preventive care. He highlighted the goal of providing more meaningful daily support to help people better understand and manage their sleep health.
The Sleep Apnea feature is an over-the-counter mobile medical application operating on compatible Samsung Galaxy Watches and Phones. It is designed to detect signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adult users during a two-night monitoring period. It is not intended as a replacement for diagnosis and treatment by a qualified clinician or for users already diagnosed with sleep apnea.