Tracking health data with Biostrap
Wearing a PPG monitor
Nov. 15, 2017 - Willem L. Middelkoop
Most wearables (smartwatches, fitness trackers, etc.) use very basic sensors to capture heart rate. Their signal is binary: just counting beats. Biostrap is different, instead of just checking pulses, it captures a high-fidelity PPG waveform. These waveforms are the same kind that doctors use, making me wonder what I could learn from them!
Continue reading![Unboxing Biostrap: it comes well packed in a nice box.](/blog/2017-11-15_collecting-health-data-with-biostrap/images/i_00_Unboxing-Biostrap-it-comes-well-packed-in-a-nice-box_500px.jpg)
![The Biostrap PPG sensor is about as thick as a watch](/blog/2017-11-15_collecting-health-data-with-biostrap/images/i_04_The-Biostrap-PPG-sensor-is-about-as-thick-as-a-watch_500px.jpg)
![On the bottom you can see the two red LED's and the PPG sensor. Just like the Swatch Sistem51 movement this is hidden when worn on wrist](/blog/2017-11-15_collecting-health-data-with-biostrap/images/i_05_On-the-bottom-you-can-see-the-two-red-LED-s-and-the-PPG-sensor-Just-like-the-Swatch-Sistem51-movemen_500px.jpg)
![Biostrap on the wrist - now you see me...](/blog/2017-11-15_collecting-health-data-with-biostrap/images/i_07_Biostrap-on-the-wrist-now-you-see-me_500px.jpg)
![The Biostrap wrist PPG sensor next to a Swatch Sistem 51](/blog/2017-11-15_collecting-health-data-with-biostrap/images/i_03_The-Biostrap-wrist-PPG-sensor-next-to-a-Swatch-Sistem-51_500px.jpg)
![The box contains three straps, charging cable, charger and two sensors](/blog/2017-11-15_collecting-health-data-with-biostrap/images/i_01_The-box-contains-three-straps-charging-cable-charger-and-two-sensors_500px.jpg)