California, US (BBN)-Smartwatches already collect data about your heart rate, how much exercise you do and your stress levels, but in the future they could take this a considerable step further.
Google has filed a patent for a 'needle-free blood draw' system that could be built into a wearable attached to someone's wrist, or a hand-held device, reports The Daily Mail.
The filing describes a machine that sends a pulse of gas into a barrel containing a 'micro-particle' capable of puncturing the skin and drawing a small drop of blood.
According to the patent, once the droplet forms it is sucked up into a negative pressure barrel.
This makes the process quicker and less messy than using a needle, or even a blood glucose meter, which administers a 'pin prick' to the finger.
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