Apple makes yet another medical field hire for unknown project

Continuing the expansion of an ever growing medical devices research team, Apple recently took on Michael O'Reilly, former chief medical officer and executive vice president of medical affairs at pulse oximeter firm Masimo Corporation.

While O'Reilly's LinkedIn page does not yet reflect the move to Apple, health blog MobiHealthNews reports the former Masimo executive is now with the Cupertino, Calif., company.

In a follow-up report, MacRumors was able to confirm with Masimo that O'Reilly is indeed no longer with the company, saying it "could not dispute" the recent reports of his new position at Apple.

While it is unclear what O'Reilly will be doing at Apple, Masimo's recent product releases give a bit of insight into the new hire. For example, the firm launched an iPhone-compatible pulse oximeter in 2012. Pulse oximetry offers users a non-invasive and accurate means of pulse measurement by monitoring oxygen saturation in the blood stream.

Rumors hold that Apple is building a so-called "iWatch" that will incorporate advanced health monitoring features. As other products like Withings' Pulse fitness tracker include pulse reading technology, it is not out of the realm of possibility that an Apple solution would feature a similar solution.

An MD, O'Reilly lists himself as being in the "monitoring and information technology" trade. He currently teaches as an adjunct associate professor of anesthesiology at the University of Michigan, as well as a professor of anesthesiology and perioperative care at the University of California, Irvine.