A cardiologist from New York filed a patent infringement lawsuit over a lifesaving Apple Watch feature that’s capable of detecting if the wearer has an irregular heartbeat.
Dr. Joseph Wiesel, who teaches at the New York University School of Medicine, was awarded a patent in March 28, 2006 for detecting atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that may lead to blood clots, a stroke, or heart failure. Dr. Wiesel’s technique uses photoplethysmography, a method used by the Apple Watch with its green light and associated sensors.
Dr. Joseph Wiesel has sued Apple over allegations the Watch violates a patented method for detecting atrial fibrillation. Wiesel claimed that he shared details of the patent with Apple in September 2017, but that the company “refused to negotiate in good faith” and left him no choice but to file a lawsuit.
The doctor hopes to block Apple from using the atrial fibrillation detection method without paying royalties. We’ve asked Apple for comment, although it doesn’t typically comment on lawsuits.
Apple is no stranger to patent lawsuits, although those frequently come from trolls that either didn’t develop a given piece of technology or have no intention of putting it into a real product. This is different — Wiesel is clearly the inventor. Still, he may face a challenging court battle. He’ll have to show that Apple’s technique is highly similar, and not just vaguely familiar-looking.
