In the jungle, the mighty jungle, lions now wear Apple Watches? Well, not exactly, but the Apple wearable is now helping veterinarians check the vitals of ferocious animals by either strapping it on their tongues or ears.
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New Delhi,UPDATED: Jun 12, 2024 17:14 IST
Forget humans-now the king of the jungle is taking help from the Apple Watch to log its heart rate. Yes, you heard it right. Veterinarians in Australia are now using the Apple Watch to monitor the heart rates of lions and other animals. This new approach to wildlife health monitoring was recently shared by Australian wildlife veterinarian Dr. Chloe Buiting, who posted a very fascinating video showing an anaesthetised lion with an Apple Watch strapped to its tongue.
This inventive method, described by Dr. Buiting as an "off-label" use of Apple's technology, definitely marks the limitless potential of tech when it comes to saving lives, irrespective of whether they are human or animal. Dr. Buiting, known on Instagram as @Jungle_doctor, posted the video with the caption: "@apple Watch can measure a lion's heart rate if you strap it to the tongue (even if it is one of the less conventional "off-label" uses for the device ). Either way, it's a true 'technology meets conservation' story."
Buiting reveals that the technique of using the Apple Watch on animals was inspired by Dr. Fabiola Quesada, a prominent wildlife and conservation veterinarian, who initially used the Apple Watch to measure the heart rate of an elephant by taping it to the animal's ear. This method has proven to be remarkably effective, given the challenges of monitoring the heart rates of large and potentially dangerous animals in the wild.
Following a similar approach, the vet doctors wrapped an Apple Watch around a lion's tongue while it was sedated to allow veterinarians to accurately monitor the animal's heart rate. This technique ensures that the animal's vital signs are tracked efficiently during medical procedures.
How the Apple Watch measures heart rate
The Apple Watch employs photoplethysmography technology to measure heart rate. This method is based on the principle that blood is red because it reflects red light and absorbs green light. The Apple Watch uses green LED lights paired with light-sensitive photodiodes to detect the amount of blood flowing through the wrist at any given moment. As the heart beats, the blood flow-and consequently the green light absorption-varies. By flashing its LED lights hundreds of times per second, the Apple Watch calculates the heart rate by measuring these fluctuations.
According to Apple, the optical heart sensor in the Apple Watch is capable of supporting a range of 30-210 beats per minute. To enhance accuracy, the sensor compensates for low signal levels by increasing both LED brightness and sampling rate. The sensor can also use infrared light for background heart rate measurements and notifications.
Additionally, the optical heart sensor can use infrared light for background heart rate monitoring and notifications. For activities like workouts and Breathe sessions, the Apple Watch uses green LED lights to measure heart rate, calculate walking average, and assess Heart Rate Variability (HRV).
Notably, newer models like the Apple Watch Series 4 and later, as well as all models of the Apple Watch Ultra, are equipped with electrodes in the Digital Crown and the back of the watch. These can measure the electrical signals across the heart when used with the Heart Rate app or the ECG app. By placing a finger on the Digital Crown, the device captures electrical impulses across the chest, creating a closed circuit between the heart and both arms.
For high-fidelity heart rate readings, users can open the Heart Rate app and place their finger on the Digital Crown, achieving a measurement every second. The ECG app, available in certain regions, can also be used to take an electrocardiogram, providing a detailed snapshot of heart health.
Published By:
Divya Bhati
Published On:
Jun 12, 2024
English (US) ·