Apple Watch’s Blood-Oxygen Sensor to Be Removed to Avoid U.S. Ban

Apple is removing a blood-oxygen sensor from some of its smartwatches to get around a patent dispute related to the technology, a step likely to avoid further sales disruptions but one that may raise questions about the company’s push into health.

The company halted sales of some watch models briefly last month after a U.S. import ban went into effect stemming from an October ruling by the U.S. International Trade Commission. The trade agency found Apple had violated the patents of medical-technology company Masimo related to the blood-oxygen tool. Sales resumed temporarily in recent weeks pending a legal review.