(Reuters) – Fitbit Inc on Wednesday launched a virtual study to test if its wearable devices can detect irregular heart rhythms or atrial fibrillation.
The hardware to detect irregular beats is present in FitBit’s devices, but is not available to consumers. Device users who enroll in the study will be allowed to test it in order for Fitbit to seek regulatory review.
Fitbit, which is being acquired by Google-parent Alphabet Inc, said in October that it planned to develop here a method to detect irregular heartbeats that would match the feature available on rival Apple Inc’s Watch.
At the time, Fitbit said it would partner with the Bristol-Myers Squibb-Pfizer Alliance on how to communicate with patients about the condition, but did not say when it would begin trials to gain approval from health authorities in the United States and elsewhere for its detection algorithm.
Fitbit said the study announced Wednesday will fill that purpose and generate data for its regulatory…
Source Reuters Tech News
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