Google’s Fitbit announced today that it received FDA clearance for its photoplethysmography algorithm to identify atrial fibrillation. Fitbit — which Google’s parent company Alphabet (Nasdaq: GOOGL) acquired early last year for $2.1 billion — said the PPG-based algorithm and irregular heart rhythm notification feature will be available to its U.S. consumers in the coming months. […]
Fitbit
Fitbit wins U.S., EU regulatory approval for ECG app
Fitbit (NYSE:FIT) announced today that it received FDA 510(k) and CE Mark clearance for its electrocardiogram (ECG) app. San Francisco-based Fitbit’s ECG app is designed to assess heart rhythm for atrial fibrillation (AFib), offering a simple method for on-the-spot readings, including whenever a user notices any unusual cardiac symptoms, according to a news release. The Fitbit […]
NASA, Fitbit gain EUAs for COVID-19 devices
The FDA granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for emergency COVID-19 ventilator devices developed by Nasa and Fitbit (NYSE:FIT). According to the FDA’s ongoing list of devices granted EUAs, both devices were authorized on June 1. NASA’s VITAL (ventilator intervention technology accessible locally) compressor and the Fitbit Flow are the latest of a few ventilator alternatives to […]
Fitbit launches wearable AFib detection study
Fitbit (NYSE:FIT) recently announced it launched its first large-scale, virtual study to validate the use of its wearables in atrial fibrillation detection. The Fitbit Heart Study is part of Fitbit’s larger strategy to make easy-to-use tools for the detection of a range of conditions. The goal of the study is to enroll hundreds of thousands of […]
Google to pay more than $2B for Fitbit
Fitbit (NYSE:FIT) today confirmed the rumor of an acquisition by Google parent Alphabet (NSDQ:GOOG), revealing that it accepted a $7.35-per-share cash offer worth about $2.1 billion. “More than 12 years ago, we set an audacious company vision – to make everyone in the world healthier. Today, I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved towards reaching that goal. We […]
Report: Google parent Alphabet eyes Fitbit
Google parent Alphabet (NSDQ:GOOG) reportedly made an offer to acquire Fitbit (NYSE:FIT) in an attempt to work its way into the smartwatch and fitness tracker market. There is not any certainty of a deal as of yet and no financial terms were shared, according to a report from Reuters, which cited “people familiar with the matter.” […]
Fitbit inks cardiovascular monitoring deal with pharma alliance
The Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY)-Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) Alliance said today that it is working with Fitbit (NYSE:FIT) to improve earlier detection of atrial fibrillation in individuals with an increased risk of stroke. Fitbit and the alliance plan to work together on the development of educational content and guidance in support of people at increased risk for Afib. Fitbit is seeking […]
Fitbit adds FibriCheck afib detector
Fitbit (NYSE:FIT) and FibriCheck said yesterday that they inked a deal to enable European users to monitor their heart rhythm for irregularities directly from a Fitbit smartwatch. Users in Belgium, Holland, Ireland and the U.K. are affected by the partnership, which combines the CE-marked FibriCheck software with the Fitbit smartwatch technology to check for irregularities such […]
Report: Murder victim’s Fitbit helps police charge suspect
Heart rate tracking data on a Fitbit fitness tracker has helped police investigators identify and charge a murder suspect, according to a New York Times report. Though the devices are intended mainly to monitor health and motivate users to be more active, heart rate data, sleeping patterns and physical exertion measurements can be used to […]
HRS 2018 Roundup: Device-related blood clots with Boston Scientific’s Watchman implant
Data from a study of device-related blood clots and the Watchman cardiac implant made by Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX), presented today at the annual meeting of the Heart Rhythm Society in Boston, indicate the need for aggressive management of patients at risk for device-related thrombosis. There were 74 incidences of DRT in 65 of the 1,739 Watchman […]
Fitbit unveils array of new apps from health partners
Fitbit (NYSE:FIT) revealed today a suite of new apps and clock faces designed to help people manage their health, including a glucose monitoring app from Dexcom (NSDQ:DXCM) that is slated to launch in the second half of 2018. The Las Vegas-based company also announced programming from Diplomat Pharmacy, Humana (NYSE:HUM), One Drop and Walgreens. Get the full story at our sister site, Drug […]
