Garmin Elevate 6 might include these new sensing methods to boost accuracy and scope

Several factors currently impact the current generation of optical heart rate sensors’ abilities to produce different and more accurate physiological data.

The simple story: Elevate 5’s LEDs shine light into the skin and measure what is reflected to infer things like HR and SpO2.

Problems include: The light will be scattered, and this diffused light is hard to read correctly. Different wavelengths have different properties; some do not penetrate deep enough, and the characteristics of the light are changed by motion.

There are already some solutions out there to these problems. For example, Rockly Photonics essentially shines ‘laser’ light, which can be more precisely controlled, and the power required to do that is lowered compared to traditional LEDs. Then, we saw a patent from Garmin a few weeks ago that included a pressure sensor to adjust the sensor’s understanding of the light paths as the wrist flexed. 

The latest Garmin patent is interesting. It uses an array of light source pairs, each handling different wavelengths. The principle here is conceptually similar to what we have seen with dual-frequency GNSS chipsets. The two frequencies have different characteristics if they follow different routes (multi-path) through the skin; knowing this gives Garmin the chance to focus on more accurate, less diffused signals.

When the proposed sensor employs a multi-path method to determine reading accuracy, it primarily compares and correlates characteristics derived from multiple photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals obtained through different light paths within the human tissue. Specifically, this involves analysing the reflected optical signals at various wavelengths, as well as waveform parameters such as frequency, bandwidth, amplitude, and phase of these signals, which inherently account for the different distances light travels through tissue to filter out noise and motion artefacts, thereby improving the accuracy of physiological measurements.

I first read Garmin’s latest patent, US 12,343,124 B2, after it was talked about by a few sites, including Gadgets & Wareables and thought there might be some deeper uses beyond the blood-related metrics, like SpO2, it aimed to read (there weren’t). The proposed sensor emits a broader range of frequencies of light than existing sensors, covering the 400nm to 1300nm range, targeting HR, SpO2, Motion, Hydration via Hematocrit, and blood glucose via glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c).

 

Garmin elevate 6 – how Garmin will increase the accuracy of wellness sensors – thoughts for the future update

Garmin Patent’s Advanced Sensor System – How It Works In More Detail

Garmin’s patent outlines a fitness device that uses optical signals to measure several blood-related physiological metrics by analysing absorption characteristics. A new sensing process is different because it employs multiple wavelengths and light paths to improve accuracy. This could increase the accuracy of metrics established and widely used by other methods, but, more importantly, new metrics that couldn’t previously be determined accurately now can be.

 The device uses several optical transmitters and receivers to improve reliability and reduce errors caused by motion or tissue variability, creating multiple light paths through the skin. A built-in processing component receives photoplethysmograph (PPG) signals from the optical receivers. Using correlation and signal filtering techniques, this approach helps remove noise and motion interference. The system can adjust its filters dynamically based on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or signal-to-motion-noise ratio (SMNR), which helps maintain accurate readings while the user moves.

Comparison with Other Optical Sensors

To better understand the distinctiveness of Garmin’s patent approach, comparing it to other optical sensors on the market that measure similar physiological parameters is helpful.

1. PLUX Biosignals SpO2 Sensor: This sensor is designed to estimate the oxygen saturation level of the finger (SpO2). It utilises a dual-frequency design, one in the red region (660nm) and the other in the infrared region (950nm). A photodiode absorbs the reflected light from these LEDs and converts it into a digital value from which SpO2 is derived. This is a simpler dual-wavelength approach for SpO2 using one pair.
2. Moxy Monitor (Muscle Oxygenation): The Moxy Monitor is a non-invasive solution that specifically measures muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2 – not covered in the Garmin patent) and total haemoglobin index (tHb) in capillaries and muscle tissues. It’s crucial to note that SmO2 is distinct from SpO2; SmO2 refers to oxygen levels in the muscle itself, whereas SpO2 typically measures arterial blood oxygenation. Moxy uses near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology. It employs four separate light sources covering wavelengths from 630 to 850 nm (specifically 680nm, 720nm, 760nm, and 800nm). Light is emitted at one location and detected at two distinct locations (12.5 mm and 25 mm from the emitter). To overcome the complex issue of unknown light path lengths through varying tissue layers (skin, fat, muscle), Moxy uses a proprietary mathematical model based on how light propagates through tissue, including a Monte Carlo model for correcting the readings.

 

What This Means

Having released two patents within months of each other, Garmin could be protecting its IP in a sensor it is about to release – this would be ELEVATE 6. That’s possible. Perhaps more likely is that Garmin has filed these patents at its earliest opportunity, and it’s merely a coincidence that we have two at a similar time. It makes sense for a company to protect its IP as soon as possible, especially at a company like Garmin, whose information security is far from market-leading.

Being able to capture more accurate SpO2 rates highly on the ‘can’t hurt’ scale. It will hardly transform Garmin’s products. But patents can be a great source of income, so if you invent something, you might as well patent and license it.

A patent for a working method that non-invasively detects blood glucose via glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) would be a game-changer for Garmin, making the company a small fortune. However, there are regulatory hoops of the highest order to navigate, and I suspect we may never see a medical version of this sensor. However, suppose it ‘kinda works’ and, more importantly, is not claimed to be medical grade. In that case, it shows promise as a sports-grade device (akin to Supersapiens, a medical-grade device) or a wellness device that can report trends over time. Though I’m unsure of the usefulness of the latter for blood glucose, intra-day rather than inter-day measurements are key.

This site’s readers will be athletes interested in hydration tracking via Haematocrit detection. That sort of usage would fit Garmin’s products nicely, matching a clear market need, but it isn’t easy to achieve accurately. However, again, there are significant medical uses for hydration trackers with proven accuracy. Dehydration is a widespread compounding factor for death in elderly populations, both at home and in hospitals. Garmin could be tempted to produce a medical-grade device for this, but is far more likely to produce trend measurements, at least at first. These measurements would be wellness over time rather than specific points during a workout.

The general method described in the patent is far more likely to be seen in Elevate 6, combined with the recent pressure-compensation patent to improve accuracy overall. Garmin’s Elevate 5 sensor is pretty good compared to its competitors, but I would NOT classify it as ‘accurate’ or ‘mostly accurate’. A device that improves the metrics we know and love (hmm) would be great.

What do you think?

Source: Garmin Patent US 12 343 124 B2

 

Last Updated on 29 January 2026 by the5krunner