Samsung Electronics Unveils Samsung Health Research Stack

As the digital health and wearable devices industries grow, precise data measurement and analysis are becoming increasingly important. On September 27, Samsung Electronics released Samsung Health Research Stack to strengthen data-based digital health research.

Samsung Health Research Stack is Samsung Electronics’ open-source project that supports digital health researches using mobile and wearable devices in Android and Wear OS environments. The platform provides IT developers and medical researchers with a software environment to conveniently and safely plan services using relevant data.

Because clinical research requires apps and services that continuously measure, share and analyse health-related data from users’ daily lives, Samsung Health Research Stack aims to help researchers implement the features they want.

Following the launch of Samsung Health Stack Alpha in 2022 and Samsung Health Stack 1.0 in 2023, Samsung has announced the latest version with Samsung Health Research Stack 2.0 Beta. The open-source project has rebranded to Samsung Health Research Stack, emphasising support for the research ecosystem as part of the newly launched Samsung Health SDK Suite — a comprehensive package of software development tools for healthcare solutions.

New Features Help Researchers With Their Studies

Samsung Health Research Stack promotes more efficient digital health research. Features include an app SDK for easy application creation, a back-end service that manages data collected by the app and a web portal to assist with research design and data analysis. In response to feedback from researchers, the latest version includes more convenient features.

The app SDK is a development tool that reduces the cost and time required to develop applications for digital health — and now supports the development of both mobile apps for research and smartwatch apps that utilise wearable sensor data. Notably, enhanced support for the Sensor SDK allows researchers to create watch apps that measure and utilise electrocardiogram[1], blood oxygen level and body composition[2] data from the innovative Galaxy Watch[3] sensors. The new Data SDK integration helps researchers create applications that use sleep data from the Galaxy Watch or Galaxy Ring.

Moreover, performance and usability improvements have been made to the back-end service and web portal. The back-end architecture has been reinforced to handle data from large clinical trials with added features to manage studies. The web portal helps with the research process from patient recruitment and surveys to progress management and data analysis.

Driving Results Around the World with Introduction at SDC24

Samsung Health Research Stack is open to any company or medical institution in the digital healthcare space developing solutions that utilise wearable devices and biomarkers.

Samsung Health Research Stack will be showcased at the Samsung Developer Conference 2024 (SDC24) on October 3 in San Jose, California. Developers can join a Code Lab session during the event to experience the latest features firsthand.

“Samsung Health Research Stack is already being used in multiple domestic and international clinical studies that utilise Galaxy Watch,” said Yunsu Lee, Head of the Data Intelligence Team, Samsung Research. “With our innovative wearable technology, we aim to contribute to expanding the digital health ecosystem and serve as a valuable partner to IT and medical professionals in achieving research breakthroughs.”

The latest version of Samsung Health Research Stack is available on the Samsung Developer website and GitHub.

[1] “The ECG feature is intended to create, record, store, transfer, and display a single channel electrocardiogram (ECG), similar to a Lead I ECG for adults 22 years and older. The ECG feature is not intended to replace traditional methods of diagnosis or treatment. The ECG feature is not intended for users with other known arrhythmias. If an irregular heartbeat or atrial fibrillation is detected, consult a doctor. If you experience symptoms of a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular conditions, do not rely on the notification of the device and consult a doctor. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE. IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST, WORSEN OR CHANGE UNEXPECTEDLY, TALK TO YOUR HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.”

[2] Samsung Health is not a medical or therapeutic device and is not intended for medical use. It is solely intended for fitness and wellness purposes only and is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions; or in the cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease; or for the prevention or control of conception or pregnancy. Body composition should not be used if you have an implanted pacemaker or other implanted medical devices, or if you are pregnant. We recommend that women who are pregnant do not use the body composition feature as the accuracy of measurements obtained during pregnancy can be reduced due to subtle changes in hydration and body moisture levels. Measurement results may not be accurate if you are under 20 years old. Samsung recommends that you consult with your doctor or physician before participating in any exercise program

[3] Available on Galaxy Watch 4 or later models equipped with Wear OS. Data supported may vary depending on sensor type and model.