Did Apple Actually Steal Blood-Oxygen Technology Directly From This Medical Company?
Over 6 years ago, medtech company Masimo accused Apple of deliberately hiring away its top engineers to steal proprietary pulse-oximetry technology — the science behind blood-oxygen level readings in smartwatches.
In December 2023, the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled that Apple’s Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches directly infringed Masimo’s blood-oxygen patents — immediately triggering a full import ban on both devices.
To escape the ban and keep its watches on shelves, Apple made a drastic move — stripping the blood-oxygen reading feature entirely from its products, a key health function millions of users relied upon.
By August 2024, Apple had engineered a redesigned version of the technology, approved by U.S. Customs. But with a twist — health data now displayed on the iPhone, not the Apple Watch itself.
In March 2025, an ITC judge issued a preliminary ruling declaring Apple’s redesigned watches did not infringe Masimo’s patents — signaling a major turning point after years of a costly, relentless legal battle.
On April 17, 2025, the ITC closed Masimo’s case, ruling for Apple. But the fight continues — Masimo separately won $634 million in a California patent trial, a verdict Apple has vowed to appeal.
