FAQ
Question
01. Is Zephyr ISO compliant?
01. Is Zephyr ISO compliant?

A pre-market notification for classification of the Bluetooth BioHarness as a 510K Class 2 Medical device has been submitted. As part of the process towards qualifying for this classification, Zephyr must be ISO13485 compliant.

01. Will the HxM work with my phone?
01. Will the HxM work with my phone?

Zephyr doesn’t currently supply any application software, but there are links to 3rd party suppliers on the HxM page. You’ll need to check with the software providers as to whether your phone is supported.

The HxM BT is designed for use with Android and Blackberry phones.
The HxM Smart is compatible with iPhone 4s and iPhone 5.

02. How do I turn the HxM on?
02. How do I turn the HxM on?

You must wear the HxM – it will turn on automatically. Make sure the chest strap is tight enough, and moisten the sensor pads on the strap if you don’t appear to be getting a signal. To turn it off, remove the device from the strap.

We recommend that you always remove the HxM Module from the strap when you are through using it. Leaving the HxM attached to a damp or wet strap may cause it to remain powered on until the battery discharges.

02. What does it measure?
02. What does it measure?

- ECG data – Heart Rate & Heart Rate RR as well as indicative ECG, 
- Breathing data 
- Breathing Rate
- Skin Temperature (IR), 
- Posture 
- Activity (Accelerometer) 
- Skin Conductance Level (BT only). 

Blood Pressure and SPO2 level will be available to the BT BioHarness via external Bluetooth sensors in 2010.

03. How can I buy an HxM?
03. How can I buy an HxM?

You can buy the HxM by contacting our sales department: sales@zephyr-technology.nl

03. What does it look like?
03. What does it look like?

The BioHarness is an elasticised Lycra-blend chest-belt containing conductive (silver) fibres, which the measurement device snaps on to.

The stretch belt is fastened with a Velcro strip, allowing close contact between the body and the contact points of the sensors. The device records data which can be transmitted via radio or other wireless networks, or downloaded via a docking cradle once the device is removed.

All the functionality is contained in the chest band and device with no additional attachments required by the wearer.

04. How is it powered?
04. How is it powered?

A Lithium Polymer rechargeable cell. Charging is by USB through a laptop or other power source. Charging 3 hrs to 100% or 1 hour to 90% of capacity. Battery life in logging mode is currently up to 18 hours for ISM, 24 hours for Bluetooth.

04. Can I get an Android Application?
04. Can I get an Android Application?

Yes – see the HxM Product http://www.zephyr-technology.nl/en/article/54/development-tools.html. You need Android v2.0 or later to support the Bluetooth SPP data from the HxM. Android v1.6 won’t work.

05. Is Charging the devices using the USB wall charger quicker than connecting to a PC?
05. Is Charging the devices using the USB wall charger quicker than connecting to a PC?

The charge duration is controlled by the devices and is exactly the same in either scenario.

06. How does the wireless transmission work?
06. How does the wireless transmission work?

For remote monitoring (rather than downloading data after an exercise), a USB radio receiver can be used for gym-based tests (i.e. with the subject up to 15 metres away, for example on a treadmill). The supplied USB antenna will give optimum performance when sited at least 1m above ground level. Avoid obstructions – particularly metallic – between the BioHarness and the USB receiver antenna.

For field use, the system can be configured to transmit over Motorola XTS or Thales digital radios. Further radio types will be supported during the course of 2010 and onwards.

NB some transmission systems have limited ranges and are unable to transmit through solid floors/walls.

07. What sizes are available?
07. What sizes are available?

Chest Straps Sizes:

X-Small: 56-66cm/22-26in
Small: 66-82cm/26-32.5in
Medium: 82-99cm/32.5-39in
Large: 99-115cm/39-45.5in
X-Large: 115-132cm/45.5-52in

A range of washable cotton t-shirts incorporating the fabric sensor components are available for PSM Responder systems.

08. Will the BioHarness fit a female subject?
08. Will the BioHarness fit a female subject?

Yes – the best place for both men and women is on the chest at the lower sternum. The BioHarness fits comfortably under bras and athletic tops.

09. How much does it weigh?
09. How much does it weigh?

Garment: 50 grams (1.76 oz)
Transmitter Unit: 35 grams (1.23 oz)

10. Is the strap washable?
10. Is the strap washable?

The garment should be given a delicate warm machine (or hand) wash once per month of use. It can be rinsed in water after each session to disperse perspiration buildup. It should be hung to dry out of direct sunlight.

11. How long does it take to put on?
11. How long does it take to put on?

Less than 1 minute. The garment must be worn next to the skin.

12. Will the chest strap stay in place in active wear?
12. Will the chest strap stay in place in active wear?

Yes. The tension required to keep the strap in place is adequate for most activities. An optional shoulder strap can also be fitted to keep the garment in place during very strenuous activities.

13. What happens if it slips down/around or gets twisted?
13. What happens if it slips down/around or gets twisted?

The width of the strap makes it very difficult to twist. If slippage is an issue, the additional shoulder straps should be used.

14. How does the breathing detection work?
14. How does the breathing detection work?

The expansion and contraction of the thoracic cavity generates a size differential as measured by the strap under the wearer’s right arm. This differential is picked up by the strap sensor and sent to the BioHarness module on the strap. Signal processing in the BioHarness module produces a waveform and breathing rate in Breaths per Minute.

This is subsequently transmitted via an ISM protocol to the RF dongle or antenna. In the case of the Zephyr solution the data is imported into Zephyr ‘s PC application.

When viewing the Zephyr PC application, inhalation is denoted by a downward trend in the breathing waveform. This is because the distance between the sensors in the strap is decreased (compressed) due to thoracic expansion. Commensurately, exhalation (sensor expansion) causes an upswing in the waveform. Respiration at rest should appear as a sine wave; respiration under activity should appear as a higher frequency sine wave.

Signal processing and filtering that occurs in the BioHarness module is intended to produce ‘best in class’ performance with unmatched resistance to motion artifact.

15. What is the range of the Bluetooth BioHarness?
15. What is the range of the Bluetooth BioHarness?

The BioHarness BT is a Class II Bluetooth device, which has a transmitting range of up to 10 meters.

16. What’s the difference between ISM and Bluetooth?
16. What’s the difference between ISM and Bluetooth?

ISM devices transmit on an unlicensed radio band of ~ 900MHz. Their transmitting range is around 50 – 100m, depending on the receiving antenna used. Bluetooth devices transmit at around 2.4GHz. The Bluetooth receiver must be within a 10 meter radius of the BioHarness. PSM systems then use a Bluetooth receiver/Radio Interface Device to relay the data over a digital radio network across much greater distances.

17. Do ISM and Bluetooth devices produce the same data?
17. Do ISM and Bluetooth devices produce the same data?

Data produced by the two devices themselves is identical. However, the Bluetooth BioHarness can be connected to other Bluetooth enabled sensors such as Blood Pressure monitors, Pulse Oximeters (SpO2), Blood Sugar Glucometers and Weight scales.

18. Can ISM be used in my Region?
18. Can ISM be used in my Region?

ISM bands vary from country to country. The two variants of BioHarness module (for ‘European’ 868MHz and “USA’ 902 – 927MHz) can be used widely in most – but not all – countries. Check your local radio frequency spectrum.

19. Can I change the radio channel of my device?
19. Can I change the radio channel of my device?

Yes, if it’s an ISM device. You can change channels within a range defined by the region the device was designed to operate in.

20. Will other radio sources interfere with the BioHarness?
20. Will other radio sources interfere with the BioHarness?

No licence is required to operate in the ISM radio band. There may be interference from devices operating nearby on the same frequency. Specific filters have been incorporatedf to avoid interference from mobile phone relay transmitters.

21. Can I Log ECG data on the device?
21. Can I Log ECG data on the device?

No. ECG data is only available in transmit mode. All other data can be logged internally.

22. How comfortable is it and how conscious is the wearer of the device in use (i.e. does it have a negative impact on the wearer’s focus on the task at hand?)
22. How comfortable is it and how conscious is the wearer of the device in use (i.e. does it have a negative impact on the wearer’s focus on the task at hand?)

The 50 mm wide fabric strap is much broader and more comfortable than plastic sports-type heart monitor straps. The wearer is conscious of the tension in the garment, but it is not irritating.

23. Any other benefits?
23. Any other benefits?

Data from individuals can be stored and a database built up to create individual profiles so that danger points can be individually mapped.

For questions, please contact info@procaresafety.nl
For questions, please contact info@procaresafety.nl

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