Eating fruit and veggies is important for well being, however their advantages are sometimes arduous to note. What if the physique’s response to weight loss plan had been simpler to see?
For the primary time in a smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch8 collection introduces Antioxidant Index — a characteristic that measures antioxidant ranges to indicate how weight loss plan and way of life impression well being.
Building on insights from half one with Hyojee Joung of Seoul National University, Samsung Newsroom spoke with Jinyoung Park of the Health H/W R&D Group, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics, to debate how the Galaxy Watch8 collection’ sensor was developed.
From Food Logs to a Five-Second Scan
Tracking meal high quality and nutrient consumption has usually required detailed meals logs or blood exams. With the Galaxy Watch8 collection, customers can as an alternative press a thumb in opposition to the again of the gadget for about 5 seconds to measure carotenoid1 ranges within the pores and skin — displayed as an Antioxidant Index.
At the core of this course of is Samsung’s superior BioActive Sensor. “The sensor uses multi-wavelength absorption spectroscopy, shining light of various wavelengths onto the skin and analyzing the absorption and reflection patterns,” mentioned Park. “The Galaxy Watch8 series is the first wearable to measure organic compounds in the body through skin absorption spectra.”
Carotenoids are electron-rich compounds made up of 40 carbon atoms that strongly take in blue gentle — the precept behind Antioxidant Index. When the sensor emits yellow, blue, purple and inexperienced LED gentle, carotenoids take in some wavelengths and replicate others. By analyzing the mirrored gentle, their focus could be measured. “Consistent consumption of fruits and vegetables leads to greater carotenoid accumulation in the skin, causing the index to rise,” she added.
Skin spectra additionally embrace alerts from melanin and hemoglobin. “To minimize these effects, we chose the finger as the measurement site to reduce melanin interference and applied a pressing method to momentarily restrict blood flow and lessen hemoglobin’s impact,” Park defined. Even the easy act of urgent a thumb in opposition to the sensor displays cautious design and in depth consideration.
Miniaturizing Accuracy
Samsung started researching sensors for Antioxidant Index in 2018. The problem was constructing a sensor sufficiently small for a watch but correct sufficient to rival giant laboratory tools.
“Even the slightest change in the arrangement of LEDs and photodiodes could affect results,” Park recalled. “We conducted countless tests to find the optimal configuration.”
To guarantee accuracy, the staff validated the sensor utilizing Raman spectroscopy — a laser-based approach broadly utilized in analysis and scientific settings to detect the gathered quantity of pores and skin carotenoids by measuring molecular vibrations. “Raman spectroscopy requires large, complex equipment, making it impractical for daily use,” she defined. “In the Galaxy Watch8 series, we applied skin reflection method based on LED-PD to miniaturize the sensor and improved accuracy by cross-checking results with Raman spectroscopy.”
The staff additionally ran comparative research with blood exams and scientific trials. “We validated the accuracy of noninvasive measurements by comparing carotenoid levels in blood with sensor readings,” mentioned Park. “Clinical participants photographed and logged every meal for a week, allowing us to compare their fruit and vegetable intake against the sensor data. With a statistically significant sample of several hundred participants, we scientifically verified the sensor’s performance.”
Park harassed that collaboration was key to growth. “In addition to long-standing work with Joung, we carried out scientific analysis with Samsung Medical Center and partnered with the University of Connecticut…
