The controversy around the Apple Watch’s Blood Oxygen feature is far from over. After Apple launched a “redesigned” Blood Oxygen feature in the US in August—18 months after it was forced to remove the feature due to its patent fight with medical technology company Masimo—the issue is back in the spotlight.
The International Trade Commission (ITC) has now announced a new proceeding to determine whether Apple’s redesigned solution still violates Masimo’s patents and should also be banned.
Why the ITC Is Reviewing the Feature Again
In newly filed documents, the ITC says it has chosen to “institute a combined modification and enforcement proceeding”. This review will decide if Apple’s altered Blood Oxygen feature complies with the original import ban.
This decision follows a fresh complaint from Masimo.
According to the ITC, circumstances have changed because Apple is now selling a newly redesigned watch model that wasn’t included in the original investigation. This makes the review necessary—and the only issue the ITC will evaluate.
The Commission is also considering whether Apple is infringing Masimo’s patents by selling an Apple Watch that, when paired with an iPhone, performs the disputed functions.
In simple terms: ITC isn’t just looking at the watch alone—it’s checking whether the watch + iPhone combination triggers Masimo’s patented technology.
How Apple’s Redesigned Blood Oxygen Feature Works
Apple’s updated implementation shifts part of the experience to the iPhone:
- You start a Blood Oxygen session on the Apple Watch.
- The sensors on the watch collect the data as usual.
- But the results don’t appear on the watch anymore.
- Instead, data can only be viewed in the Health app (Respiratory section) on your iPhone.
This redesign was Apple’s workaround to avoid Masimo’s patent claims while still offering Blood Oxygen readings to users.
Apple Pushes Back Against Masimo’s Claims
Apple strongly disputes Masimo’s latest complaint.
The company argues that Masimo is trying to pressure the ITC into blocking US Apple Watch users from accessing important health features.
Apple also highlights that Masimo’s original complaint was based on a Masimo smartwatch model that didn’t even exist at the time.
In 2024, a jury ruled that Masimo’s W1 and Freedom watches had “willfully violated Apple’s patent rights” in their smartwatch designs. The W1 is no longer sold.
Apple Accuses Masimo of Misusing the ITC Process
In its recent filing, Apple says Masimo is attempting to “abuse” the ITC’s authority to block consumer products, even though:
- Masimo has no meaningful domestic industry product that benefits from the ban.
- The Masimo W1 has reportedly not been sold in more than minimal quantities.
- Masimo no longer sells any version of the W1 to consumers.
Apple writes:
“Masimo seeks to pressure the Commission to exceed its statutory authority and prevent millions of Americans from accessing Apple’s redesigned Blood Oxygen feature.”
And continues:
“Masimo’s latest filings only reinforce that it has been abusing the powers of the Commission by seeking to exclude important consumer products to ‘protect’ a nonexistent domestic industry.”
