The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given 510(k) clearance to Samsung for its S health app, a drawn-out process which first started with the handset vendor’s launch of the app in 2012.

The first incarnation of the S health app was for Galaxy S III users but only in the UK. The app was never released in the US (possibly because of concerns over FDA clearance).

However, the next version of app for the Galaxy S4 did launch in the US where Samsung sought FDA clearance in July 2013.

According to Mobihealthnews, the agency’s categorisation of the app as a cardiology signal transmitter indicates that Samsung will be allowed to link with networked medical devices, in addition to the Samsung smartphone.

The vendor has sought to embellish its app in several ways, including adding an avatar for the Korean market last year.

It has also joined forces with Cigna with the aim of delivering health tips to users.