Polar has confirmed to Wareable it is working on a “more sophisticated” new wearable sensor that can measure the levels of dangerous visceral fat within the body.
In a recent patent filing, the maker of the popular H10 heart rate chest strap revealed work on a dual-purpose device that can also be worn around the abdomen.
Visceral fat lives behind the abdominal wall and is thus harder to measure. It is also a greater health concern than visual (subcutaneous) fat and has identified as a cause of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
The technology patented by Polar explains how using an alternating current at varying frequencies would generate a bioelectrical impedance analysis that could detect visceral fat and report levels back to users.
In comments to Wareable, Polar’s manager of ESW Jari Miettinen expressed the company’s excitement about the patented technology’s potential applications. However, he wouldn’t be drawn on when it’ll appear within a consumer product.
“What sets this technology apart is its potential to bring a more sophisticated level of health monitoring to wearable devices,” he said. “By combining this with our existing expertise, we aim to provide users with deeper insights into their health, beyond what is currently available through traditional body fat measurement tools.”
“It’s important to emphasize that health, fitness, and overall well-being encompass much more than just weight. Activity levels play a crucial role, and Polar has a strong portfolio in this domain. Our deep understanding of these factors positions us well to explore this technology’s potential.”
Currently, MRI and CT scans can be used to detect visceral fat, while ultrasound technology is a potential alternative. All are time consuming and expensive. General guidelines like a waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) might often be used, but it is not an accurate measurement.
Polar’s solution could bring the ability to offer more accurate visceral fat measurements to a consumer device, like the next-generation dual-purpose heart rate sensor in the intellectual property filing.
The technology is still in the research and development stage, but Polar expressed its commitment to ensuring any solution is “scientifically validated and genuinely adds value to the user experience.”
Miettinen added: “At Polar, we are constantly exploring new ideas and filing patents across various domains related to health, fitness, and wearable technology. This reflects our commitment to innovation and our ongoing efforts to push the boundaries of what our devices can offer.
“This remains an active area of research, with decisions on potential commercialization to be made based on further results and strategic evaluations.”
