Biomechanics Transducers | Data Acquisition
Biomechanics
data can include measures of force and motion of body position, posture, and
joint movement over a wide range of static and dynamic conditions. Biomechanics
measurements are meaningful for a wide variety of research applications, such as
biomedical engineering, exercise physiology, sports training or rehab, and
ergonomics (for characteristics of a specific work activity or environment).
Biomechanics transducers include goniometers, torsiometers, and
accelerometers. Transducers are unobtrusive and lightweight, and can be worn
comfortably and undetected under clothing or attached to external
equipment—leaving the subject to move freely in the normal
environment.
Biomechanics transducers connect directly to the BIOPAC Acquisition Unit as part of an MP or BSL System. For a more complete physiological analysis, additional signals can be recorded (e.g., EMG, respiration, heart rate) and video data can be tightly-synchronized for a clear and detailed view of the biomechanics of a movement with the subject’s physiological data.
Goniometers incorporate gauge elements that measure bending strain along or around a particular axis and transform angular position into a proportional electrical signal. The gauge mechanism allows for accurate measurement of polycentric joints. As the joint moves through a determined angle, the relative linear distance between the two mounting positions will change. A telescopic endblock prevents the measuring element from becoming over-stretched or buckled as the limb moves. The bending strain is proportional to the sum total angular shift along the axis. Because the bending force is extremely small, the output signal is uniquely a proportional function of the angular shift.
Twin-axis goniometers measure rotation about two orthogonal planes
simultaneously to record limb angular movement, such as adequate bending in the
elbows or knees, unsafe rounding in the lower spine, wrist or ankle
flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, radial/ulnar deviations, etc.
Single-axis goniometers measure the angle in one plane only and are used to
record digit joint movement of fingers, thumb or
toes.
Torsiometers measure rotation about a single axis (e.g., forearm pronation/supination) to record angular twisting (as opposed to bending) of the torso, spine or neck.
Tri-Axial Accelerometers are high level output transducers that provide three outputs to measure acceleration along the X-, Y- and Z-axes simultaneously. To reliably record head tilt, place an accelerometer on the head. To measure accelerations when performing slow movements, such as walking and hand tremor, ±5 G accelerometers are optimal; ±50 G are more suitable for quick movements, such as swinging a tennis racket.
For applications where quick or rapid movements are involved, fit a “sock” bandage over the whole sensor and interconnect lead. For accurate results from long recordings, use double-sided adhesive between the endblocks and skin, and place single-sided adhesive tape over the top of the endblocks. No tape should come into contact with the spring. The connection lead should also be taped down near the sensor element.
Biomechanics transducers connect directly to the BIOPAC Acquisition Unit as part of an MP or BSL System. For a more complete physiological analysis, additional signals can be recorded (e.g., EMG, respiration, heart rate) and video data can be tightly-synchronized for a clear and detailed view of the biomechanics of a movement with the subject’s physiological data.
Goniometers incorporate gauge elements that measure bending strain along or around a particular axis and transform angular position into a proportional electrical signal. The gauge mechanism allows for accurate measurement of polycentric joints. As the joint moves through a determined angle, the relative linear distance between the two mounting positions will change. A telescopic endblock prevents the measuring element from becoming over-stretched or buckled as the limb moves. The bending strain is proportional to the sum total angular shift along the axis. Because the bending force is extremely small, the output signal is uniquely a proportional function of the angular shift.
Torsiometers measure rotation about a single axis (e.g., forearm pronation/supination) to record angular twisting (as opposed to bending) of the torso, spine or neck.
Tri-Axial Accelerometers are high level output transducers that provide three outputs to measure acceleration along the X-, Y- and Z-axes simultaneously. To reliably record head tilt, place an accelerometer on the head. To measure accelerations when performing slow movements, such as walking and hand tremor, ±5 G accelerometers are optimal; ±50 G are more suitable for quick movements, such as swinging a tennis racket.
For applications where quick or rapid movements are involved, fit a “sock” bandage over the whole sensor and interconnect lead. For accurate results from long recordings, use double-sided adhesive between the endblocks and skin, and place single-sided adhesive tape over the top of the endblocks. No tape should come into contact with the spring. The connection lead should also be taped down near the sensor element.
End the Complications of Data Acquisition Hardware
Data
Acquisition and analysis for the life sciences has improved immensely from the
days of chart recorders and oscilloscopes. Remember when data had to be scored
by hand, and marked and measured with a ruler? The old technology of the past
has given way to sophisticated
data acquisition hardware and data
acquisition software platforms of the present day that allow researchers to
record, display, and analyze data intuitively with easy-to-use hardware and
simple pull-down software menus.
Data
Acquisition hardware is no longer complicated equipment, full of knobs, dials
and switches — rather it is easy to use, flexible and available for a wide
range of application areas. Wireless
data acquisition hardware allows of recording of mobile or ambulatory
subjects in real world environments or virtual reality paradigms. Data can be
streamed live or logged to an internal storage for later upload. Data
acquisition hardware is also available for specialty applications like fMRI,
now researchers can record
physiology in the MRI to examine subject responses during functional
magnetic resonance imaging tests.
After
acquiring physiological data, researchers can use data acquisition software
with automated analysis
routines to mark, score, and output results from the data. Data acquisition
software is intuitive and feature rich, with real-time display options,
real-time calculation channels, and post acquisition analysis tools including
cycle detectors, rate calculators, frequency and power analysis and specific
automated analysis routines for signals such as ECG, EMG, EEG, Blood Pressure,
ICG, EDA, and more!
Wireless Surface EMG Modules | Data Acquisition
Physiological
data acquisition systems offer many options for recording surface EMG, needle
EMG, and fine wire EMG. General muscle activity and fatigue can be determined
by recording and analyzing surface EMG data from major muscle groups.
Correlate
EMG activity with data from other sources including force plates, goniometers,
and motion analysis equipment. Analysis software
tools, including spike counting, muscle activation location, and frequency
analysis allow for post-acquisition surface EMG data interpretation. Results of
EMG recordings can be output as graph channels for easy data visualization, or
can be in numerical format in summary tables or spreadsheets. Data can then be
used for further statistical analysis.
EMG Analysis | Biomechanics
Biomechanics
research has never been easier thanks to powerful new data acquisition and
analysis tools. Perform real-time calculations and post-data acquisition
analysis on a variety of biomechanical and physiological data.
Simultaneously
acquire up to 16 channels of biomechanics and/or gait-specific data. An example
setup could incorporate two channels of heel/toe
strike timing, ten channels of EMG signals, and
four channels of goniometry data — however combinations are virtually endless.
Record sit-and-reach tests, range of motion evaluations, muscle balance
assessments and more.
Real-time
event markers allow researchers to log important events in the data and also
include comments that can be written during or post acquisition.
After
recording, choose an automated
analysis package to interpret and score the biomechanics data. For example,
automated EMG
analysis allows for a variety of automated functions including deriving
integrated EMG, root mean square (RMS) EMG, locating muscle activation, full
frequency and power analysis, and much more.