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MyoResearch XP Master/Basic Manual

MyoResearch XP

Master Edition/Basic Edition

Main Manual Version 1.07

NORAXON U.S. A., INC.

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© 2011, Noraxon U.S.A. Inc. No part of this document may be copied, photographed, reproduced, translated, or reduced to any electronic medium or machine readable form without the prior written consent of Noraxon U.S.A. Inc. Noraxon is a registered trademark of Noraxon U.S.A. Inc. All rights reserved. All other company and product names contained herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies and are sole property of their respected owners.

M Noraxon U.S.A. Inc. 15770 North Greenway-Hayden Loop, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Tel: (480) 443-3413 Fax: (480) 443-4327 E-mail: [email protected] Support E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.noraxon.com

P Authorized European Representative: Advena Ltd. Thorne Widgery House, 33 Bridge Street, Hereford HR4 9DQ, UK Telephone +44(0)1926 800153 +44(0) 845 094 3307 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.advenamedical.com Skype: advenamedical

CE Mark: This symbol indicates the approval to market

this product in the European Community as certified by #0473 AMTAC.

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Contents: ICONS AND SYMBOLS USED IN THIS MANUAL........................................................7

INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................8

DATABASE MENU...............................................................................................................9 QUICK START TUTORIAL (UPDATED TO SOFTWARE VERSION 1.07.41) ..................................9 MAIN SCREEN ELEMENTS: .....................................................................................................9 MAIN SCREEN ELEMENTS: ...................................................................................................10

Project: New & Organize Elements (updated to software version 1.07.41) .................10 Subject - New Element ...................................................................................................12 Subject List (updated to software version 1.07.41)........................................................12 Subject List Tools:..........................................................................................................13 (updated to software version 1.07.41) ...........................................................................13 Subject Info Section (updated to software version 1.07.41) ..........................................14 Records List (updated to software version 1.07.41) ......................................................16 Records Info Section (updated to software version 1.07.41) .........................................17 Batch signal processing (updated to software version 1.07.41)....................................21

RIGHT TOOL BAR ELEMENTS:.............................................................................................22 Copy ...............................................................................................................................22 Export/Import.................................................................................................................23 Delete .............................................................................................................................26 Normative Database Button...........................................................................................26

LOWER MAIN OPERATION BUTTONS ..................................................................................26 Measure..........................................................................................................................26 View/Analyze..................................................................................................................26 Exit .................................................................................................................................26

NORMATIVE DATABASE......................................................................................................26 Introduction....................................................................................................................26 Normative Database Menu Description ........................................................................29

MEASUREMENT SETUP MENU ....................................................................................32 QUICK START TUTORIAL ....................................................................................................32 MAIN SCREEN ELEMENTS: ...................................................................................................33

Project / New & Organize – Element ............................................................................33 Subject / New – Element ................................................................................................33 Muscle/Devices Maps ....................................................................................................34 Channels List .................................................................................................................35 Local Tools for the channel list .....................................................................................37 Info Section ....................................................................................................................37

RIGHT TOOL BAR ELEMENTS..............................................................................................37 Application and Configuration Icon ..............................................................................37 Measurement Options ....................................................................................................38 Recording Options .........................................................................................................38

Continuous Traces .....................................................................................................39

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Periodic Recording (Master Edition only).................................................................40 Multi-Activity Recording (Master Edition only).......................................................41 Template Training (Master Edition only) ..................................................................43

Display Options .............................................................................................................45 Real Time Processing (Master Edition only).................................................................46

Mean Value Recording ..............................................................................................46 User defined ...............................................................................................................47

Biofeedback (Master Edition only) ................................................................................51 Rising Bars.................................................................................................................52 Squeezing Circles.......................................................................................................53 Real Time FFT...........................................................................................................53

Video ..............................................................................................................................55 Hardware Menu.............................................................................................................55

Hardware Device .......................................................................................................55 A/D Input ...................................................................................................................56 Video Input ................................................................................................................61 Auxiliary Channel Settings ........................................................................................64 EMG Channel Settings ..............................................................................................65 Hardware Channels/Preamps .....................................................................................66 Lower Operation buttons ...........................................................................................66

LOWER MAIN OPERATION BUTTONS ....................................................................................66 Start................................................................................................................................66 Save As ...........................................................................................................................68 Database ........................................................................................................................68

MEASUREMENT MONITOR...........................................................................................69 QUICK START TUTORIAL ....................................................................................................69 MAIN SCREEN ELEMENTS ...................................................................................................70

Signal & Traces Screen .................................................................................................70 Local Tools.....................................................................................................................71 Biofeedback Windows (Master Edition only) ................................................................72

Bar Graphs .................................................................................................................72 Squeezing Circles.......................................................................................................73 Real Time FFT...........................................................................................................73

RIGHT TOOL BAR................................................................................................................74 Measurement Options ....................................................................................................74 Tools...............................................................................................................................74 Template Training (Master Edition only) ......................................................................75

MAIN OPERATION BAR .......................................................................................................76 Record ............................................................................................................................76 Zero Offset .....................................................................................................................76 Mark...............................................................................................................................76 Close ..............................................................................................................................76

RECORD VIEWER MENU ...............................................................................................77 QUICK START TUTORIAL ....................................................................................................77 MAIN SCREEN ELEMENT.....................................................................................................78

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Signals – Screen.............................................................................................................78 Left panel channel selector ............................................................................................78 Left panel single channel operators...............................................................................78 Local Tool Bar ...............................................................................................................79 Bar Graph Window........................................................................................................80 Video Window ................................................................................................................81

RIGHT TOOL BAR................................................................................................................82 Record Options ..............................................................................................................82 Marker Menu .................................................................................................................82

Manual/Mouse ...........................................................................................................83 Steps...........................................................................................................................84 Min/Max by trigger channel ......................................................................................84 Rise/Fall by trigger channel .......................................................................................85 Lower Menu Operation Buttons ................................................................................85

Edit Menu.......................................................................................................................86 Channel Tools ............................................................................................................86 New channels .............................................................................................................86 Delete, Copy and Paste Channels ..............................................................................87 Fill Channels ..............................................................................................................88 Offset Channel(s) .......................................................................................................88 Scale Channel(s) ........................................................................................................89 Remove All Processing..............................................................................................89 Channel Properties .....................................................................................................89

File Tools .......................................................................................................................90 Signal Processing Menu ................................................................................................91

Rectification...............................................................................................................92 Smoothing ..................................................................................................................92 Amplitude Normalization ..........................................................................................93 Filtering......................................................................................................................94 ECG reduction ...........................................................................................................95 Section Apply to ........................................................................................................95 Lower Operation Buttons (Delete, Load, Save).........................................................96 Right Tool Bar Elements (Remove All Processing, Configurations) ........................97 Main Operation Buttons in Signal Processing ...........................................................97 Quick Analysis...........................................................................................................97

Record Tools ..................................................................................................................98 MAIN OPERATION BAR .......................................................................................................98

Analyze...........................................................................................................................98 Print ...............................................................................................................................98 Save As... ........................................................................................................................98 Measure..........................................................................................................................98 Database ........................................................................................................................98

REPORT SETUP MENU (“ANALYZE”) ........................................................................99 OVERVIEW: MYORESEARCH XP'S ANALYSIS SYSTEM.........................................................99 SELECT REPORT MENU .....................................................................................................100

Report Info Section ......................................................................................................101

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Main Operation Buttons ..............................................................................................102 Report New and Edit Menu..........................................................................................103

REPORT 3 STEP SETUP MENU....................................................................................104 QUICK START TUTORIAL ..................................................................................................104 3 STEP SETUP MENU .........................................................................................................105

Step 1: Channels ..........................................................................................................106 Step 2: Define Periods .................................................................................................106

Manual/Mouse .........................................................................................................106 Steps.........................................................................................................................108 By markers/red lines ................................................................................................109 Min/Max by trigger channel ....................................................................................112 Rise/Fall by trigger channel .....................................................................................113

Step 3: Choose Comparison.........................................................................................116 Compare to other records.........................................................................................116 Compare Sides .........................................................................................................117 Compare channels in groups....................................................................................117 Compare in free matrix ............................................................................................117 Compare to normative (records) ..............................................................................117 Compare to stored periods .......................................................................................118

REPORT MENU................................................................................................................119 QUICK START TUTORIAL ..................................................................................................119 RIGHT TOOL BAR ELEMENT..............................................................................................120

Tools.............................................................................................................................120 Options.........................................................................................................................121

MAIN OPERATION BUTTONS .............................................................................................122 Print .............................................................................................................................122 Reanalyze .....................................................................................................................122 Compare.......................................................................................................................122 Close ............................................................................................................................122

REPORT EDIT MENU (MASTER VERSION ONLY) ................................................123 QUICK START TUTORIAL ..................................................................................................123 ADJUST SETTINGS OF AN ANALYSIS FRAME .......................................................................124

Analyzed Signals & Intervals.......................................................................................124 Diagram Settings .........................................................................................................125 Diagram Statistics........................................................................................................126 Output Options.............................................................................................................127

DESCRIPTION OF ANALYSIS ELEMENTS.............................................................................130 Channel Curves............................................................................................................130 Multi Period Analysis ..................................................................................................137 Average period.............................................................................................................139 Sub-Periods Curves .....................................................................................................140

Manual Sub-periods .................................................................................................142 Sub-periods by N Times SD ....................................................................................143 Sub-periods by peak.................................................................................................144

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Feedback Sub-periods..............................................................................................145 Template Training....................................................................................................146

Sub-periods of Average periods...................................................................................149 Sub-period (Trend) Analysis ........................................................................................150 Jump Analysis ..............................................................................................................154 Power spectrum ...........................................................................................................159 Frequency bands..........................................................................................................160 Amplitude probability ..................................................................................................160 STFT spectrogram .......................................................................................................162 CWT scalogram ...........................................................................................................164 MRA .............................................................................................................................166 Phase correlation.........................................................................................................169

INFO & MULTIMEDIA ELEMENTS ......................................................................................171 Date & Time.................................................................................................................171 Legend..........................................................................................................................171 Subject picture .............................................................................................................171 Subject info...................................................................................................................171 Subject comment ..........................................................................................................171 Record Info...................................................................................................................171 Record Comment..........................................................................................................171 Processing History.......................................................................................................172 Measured Device .........................................................................................................172 Intensities at marker position.......................................................................................172 Video ............................................................................................................................172

DESCRIPTION OF LAYOUT & DECORATION ELEMENTS .....................................................173 Box ...............................................................................................................................173 Horizontal line .............................................................................................................173 Splitter..........................................................................................................................173 Sheet.............................................................................................................................173 Page break ...................................................................................................................173 Picture..........................................................................................................................173 Text & Rich Text ..........................................................................................................174 Page number ................................................................................................................174

MYORESEARCH XP APPLICATION PROTOCOLS ................................................175

PROTOCOL ENTRANCE SCREEN.........................................................................................176 Project New & Organize..............................................................................................176 Subject - New Element .................................................................................................178 Basic Info .....................................................................................................................179 Application List............................................................................................................180 Protocol List.................................................................................................................180 Protocol Wizard Line...................................................................................................181

RIGHT TOOL BAR..............................................................................................................181 Application Tools .........................................................................................................181 Protocol Tools..............................................................................................................183 Show Info .....................................................................................................................184

Tab Application Info................................................................................................185

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Tab Protocol Basic Settings .....................................................................................185 Tab Protocol Measurement Options ........................................................................186 Tab Protocol Signal Processing ...............................................................................186

MAIN OPERATION BUTTONS .............................................................................................186 Measure........................................................................................................................186 Database ......................................................................................................................186 Exit ...............................................................................................................................186

PROTOCOL STEP MEASUREMENT SETUP ...........................................................................187 PROTOCOL STEP MEASUREMENT (MONITOR, RECORDING) ..............................................188 PROTOCOL STEP SIGNAL PROCESSING ..............................................................................189 PROTOCOL STEP PERIOD DEFINITION................................................................................189 PROTOCOL STEP REPORT ..................................................................................................190 HOW TO REANALYZE OLD RECORDS OR RELOAD PREVIOUS REPORTS? ..............................193 HOW TO CHANGE A REPORT FOR A GIVEN RECORD? ..........................................................193 HOW TO CREATE A NEW PROTOCOL...................................................................................193 LIST OF PRE-CONFIGURED APPLICATION GROUPS IN THE MYORESEARCH MASTER EDITION..........................................................................................................................................194 LIST OF APPLICATION PROTOCOLS FOR THE MYORESEARCH BASIC EDITION...................197

Icons and symbols used in this manual

!Attention: This icon alerts the user to important information. Carefully read and understand all sections of this document displaying this symbol.

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Introduction MyoResearch XP is released in two versions, the Master Edition and Basic Edition. The Master Edition is a fully featured version covering and enabling all MyoResearch XP functions, options and modules. The Basic Edition is a selection of basic EMG routines and some functions of the Master Edition are disabled (e.g. the editor to create reports or to use real time processing in data acquiring). If a function is excluded from the Basic edition, a short remark is made in the chapter titles of this manual. Otherwise, the operation of both package editions is identical.

Both the MyoResearch XP Master and the Basic edition have two different program modes or levels:

The “Master Level”, which requires a user-defined operation/selection of program steps and menus, and the “Application Protocols”, which are predefined and automated Ready-to-go solutions for numerous EMG applications, e.g. Gait, Fatigue Test or Biofeedback Training. The Basic Edition has only a limited selection of Application Protocols, addressing basic EMG analysis setups.

Only one package level can run at one time and they are started by different desktop links:

From a functional point of view, the Application Protocols are macro routines of the regular Master Level menus. They are designed to create an application related report in the shortest time. Each step within measurement, signal processing, period definition and report selection is predefined and the protocols run almost automatically. Each protocol guides you through a linear process to reach a meaningful report. In the Master Level mode, you can freely select each step, starting from the Data-base Menu. Application Protocols use the same menu screens like the Master Level, but they are presented on a filtered level: some functions will only appear when the protocol button Modify is pressed; other functions that are not needed for a certain protocol are filtered away.

Users who have a clear understanding of the targeted results prefer to use the Application Protocols; users who first want to acquire data, then analyze the data later may prefer to use the Master Level.

This manual starts with the description of the Master Level. The first screen is the Database screen.

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Database Menu

Quick Start Tutorial (updated to software version 1.07.41)

MyoResearch XP starts with the main Database screen. All individual recordings (Records) are or-ganized under Project and Subject directories. In this menu you can Measure (Instruction A) new records or View/Analyze (Instruction B) existing records. Other database operations include Copy, Export & Import functions and Editing Subject and Record properties. A right mouse button context menu summarizes all meaningful commands for a selected object. The border lines between the screen elements are drag lines (mouse arrow becomes a double arrow) which allows you to change the dimensions and ratio of list and info elements.

Instructions to create a new project:

1. Click New by the Project box, then type in the name of the new Project.

Instruction A: Prepare for a measurement:

2. Click New and type in the name of a new test subject 3. To select an existing subject, click on the name in the Subject panel. 4. Click the green action button Measure to proceed to the Measurement Setup screen.

Instruction B: Analyze or View a measurement:

5. Click to choose a Record from the Record panel. 6. Click the View/Analyze button to open and analyze the record. 7. Click the red Exit button to close MyoResearch XP.

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Main screen elements: Project: New & Organize Elements (updated to software version 1.07.41)

Project is the highest level in the hierarchy of the MyoResearch XP database. This level can be used to separate different studies or several users working in the same version. If several projects are available in one version, you can click the pull-down button and change to another Project Directory.

New creates a new Project Directory.

Organize contains all operations needed to manage a Project Directory:

New: creates a new Project. Edit: allows you to change the Project name. Delete: deletes the Project and all of its data. Copy: copies Projects from/to MyoResearch XP. Close: closes the “Organize Projects” dialog box.

Please Note: once deleted, the data cannot be restored!

Copy is bi-directional: you can send a project (and all its contents) to another directory or pick up data from any location and import it into your working version.

Use the Copy command to backup your data to external drives or locations and/or restore the data.

To Copy projects,

1. Click on Copy 2. Click on one of the 3 options:

a. External Projects: MyoResearch XP data b. 16-bit MR Projects – import only: MyoResearch 98 data c. Zebris Projects – import only: Zebris files

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3. Browse to find the directory where you want to send or pick up the project data. 4. If desired, make a new folder. 5. Click OK 6. To close this dialog box, click Cancel.

MyoResearch XP data is always copied to or from a special ”container folder” called Noraxon Data. This container folder is automatically created whenever you copy data out of MyoResearch XP. This special folder is needed to keep the integrity of the complex database structure of MyoResearch XP. Not only recorded data, but also measurement configurations, protocols and reports are copied to this container folder. MyoResearch XP data can be sent to any location or directory in your hard disk or network drive. This container directory will be automatically created if the Noraxon Data folder is not available in the selected directory.

Confirm this dialog when you use the copy function for the first time at a given destination directory!

If you copy files using Windows Explorer, you may lose important index files which are needed to cor-rectly read the data! You can safely send, copy, burn or archive the complete container folder Norax-on Data, but never single components from it!

When trying to copy data from an external location to your current versions, MRXP automatically looks for the Noraxon Data container folder at the selected path and checks if it contains MyoResearch XP data. When found, a split panel screen appears: on the left side are the Projects inside MyoResearch XP; on the right side are the Projects available in the external directory.

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All projects currently available are shown in the list screens. With a left mouse click, you can select a project for the copy operation. You may select multiple Projects by pressing the CTRL or SHIFT but-ton. Click the Import button to copy Projects from the external Projects to the local version, i.e. the data inside MyoResearch XP. To send/copy data to the external directory, click the Export button.

Subject - New Element (updated to software version 1.07.41)

Subjects are the second level in the MyoResearch XP database system. All measurements made will be saved under the project and subject selected and listed as a record (third level).

1. The upper Subject - New element shows the selected subject. This means that all current and future records for this subject are automatically stored in this subject directory.

2. To create a new subject directory, click on New and enter a subject name.

3. To change to another subject, click on the desired subject name in the Subject list.

Subject List (updated to software version 1.07.41)

1. The Subject List shows all subjects available in one Project. By default, subjects are listed and sorted by last name, but several op-tions are available to customize the Subject List appearance:

2. If you drag a column title with the left mouse button before/after another column title you can change the order of columns, e.g. first name in column 1, last name in column 2.

3. If you right click on any location in the Subject List section, the right mouse button context menu pops up. The first item "Show/Hide Columns" allows you to open a setup menu for all existing list entries (called "subject properties") available in your version. Here you can check or uncheck entries to customize your Subject List style.

Export: copies the Projects from inside MRXP (Local Projects) into the Selected Ex-ternal directory (External Projects). Import: copies the Projects in an External directory (Noraxon Data folder) into MRXP. Close: closes the dialog box.

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Subject List Tools: (updated to software version 1.07.41)

If you maximize the local Tools bar below the subject list screen, you will find additional options:

Quick Search: This function allows you to search entries in a selected list column. As an example, this feature is helpful to quickly find a patient/subject when you are using a large database with many entries.

Sort: This function allows you to Sort your Subject List in alphabetic order by any field/column defined here. Additionally, you will need to set the order to "Ascending" or "Descending".

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When you click on “Quick Search”, this box will appear. Enter text to search within the Subject list.

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Subject Info Section (updated to software version 1.07.41)

The Subject Info section may be minimized to a horizontal bar to allow a better overview of the main menu functions. If the Subject Info section is minimized, click on the horizontal bar or the double ar-row button to maximize it.

Subject properties (subject/patient form entries, written comments or external documents and pictures) provide additional information for each subject in the database.

The Subject Info Section is organized into 4 sections: Basic Info, Subject Form, Comments and Picture.

Basic Info:

These are the most common entries to specify a patient. A First or Last Name is required. The First and Last Name entries accept numbers and letters, which allow a subject/patient ID to be entered for the first or last name. Sex (Gender) is a pull-down menu with the options of “Male” and “Female”. Sex (Gender), Date of Birth, Weight and Height are optional and can be removed from the Basic Info section if desired. Customize the subject list entries by clicking the right mouse button and selecting “Show/Hide fields”. “Show/Hide fields” offers a list of all existing subject properties. By checking or unchecking an entry, new properties can be added or existing ones deleted. Subject Form: This info section can serve as a patient form. As described above, the right mouse click context menu can customize this list.

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Comment: The Edit Subject window is accessed by double clicking on the Comment tab or by right clicking in the Subject panel and selecting “Edit”. Subject comments can be typed directly in the left panel. The font color and format can be modified. If your MyoResearch XP report has a Subject Comment box, the information typed in this window will appear in the Subject Comment box on the report. Conversely, if you type information in the Subject Comment box in the report, that information will appear in the Sub-ject Info Comment screen. If the typed text will be used again for another subject, you may want to save the “Text Clip”. 1) Open the Comment entry window (Please refer to the previous paragraph for instructions.) 2) Highlight the text 3) Click New 4) Enter a short descriptive name and it will be displayed in the “Text Clips” panel, then click OK 5) After the text appears in the “Text Clips” panel, click OK. 6) To retrieve the saved “Text Clips”, either highlight the name and click “Insert” or double-click on the name. The saved text will now appear in the left panel. Delete a text clip: Highlight the name, then mouse click “Delete”. Backup/copy “Text Clips”: Mouse click “Backup/Copy”. A Noraxon Data folder will be created for the “Text Clips”. If a Noraxon Data folder already exists in the location you specify, the text clips will be added to that folder. The text will be saved as “text.rtf” inside the proper Subject folder.

Subject comments in a report

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Picture: Use this tab section to add any Picture documentation to your subject properties. By double clicking you can access three controls: Browse: load a picture file (bmp, jpg, emf, png, ico, gif) stored on your hard disk. Paste: paste a picture from the clipboard. Delete: erase an existing picture. You can use this subject property to add a patient picture directly from a Webcam by taking a portrait of your subject/patient and either save it on your hard drive or copy it to the clipboard, then load or paste it into the subject database. You can also add scans stored in picture format to the database.

Adding scans creates very large files!

Records List (updated to software version 1.07.41)

All Records measured for one subject are listed here. There are two ways to create a Record.

A) Run a measurement and store it under an identifiable name. B) On a stored record, perform analysis, signal processing or edit operations and save these chang-es. A new record can be created from the original record by mouse-clicking “Save As” in the Record Viewer. This new record is listed in a changed color below the original record.

The Records List has 4 characteristics (columns): running number, name, record type and date meas-ured. Their order can be changed by dragging/dropping the column title before/after another one.

Running number (#) labels each record in order of appearance.

Name The record name for the data that was saved after each measurement. Record type This is defined by the application group, which is loaded in the Measurement Setup Menu. Application groups allow a categorization of measurement configurations by themes (e.g. Gait or Standard Analy-sis). By default, the application group of a newly installed master version is called "Master mode", but it can be changed at any time in the Measurement Setup menu.

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Date Measured The date & time when data was stored to the hard drive or created using analysis or edit operations. Records List Tools Quick Search, Sort and Filter options are available by maximizing the “Tools Bar” below the Records List.

Quick Search In each column you can perform a Quick Search, which is helpful for very large databases. After en-tering the data into the Quick Search box, press “Enter” on your keyboard. The first occurrence after the highlighted record will be located first. After reaching the end of the records list, the search for the text will continue at the beginning of the records list. Sort Any list field (column) can be used to Sort the Records List in ascending or descending alphabetic order.

Filter By default, all Filter Settings are switched off. This function allows the user to filter records by their record type. Check or uncheck all record types in this list to customize the list organization.

Records Info Section (updated to software version 1.07.41)

The Records Info Section may be minimized to a horizontal bar to allow a better overview of the main menu functions. If the Records Info Section is minimized, click on the horizontal bar or the dou-ble arrow button to maximize it.

A record is a file containing signal data and optionally synchronized video pictures. Each record is assisted by a very comprehensive system of "record properties" or "record info". These are needed and helpful in providing proper documentation of all "record properties" and the circumstances sur-rounding the acquisition process.

Sort Records Filter Records Quick Search

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The record information is organized in 6 tab sections:

Basic

The Basic tab summarizes all basic and important information of a record: name, record type, date of measurement, file size, record duration, sampling frequency and the measured channels. Double clicking on this info panel opens an edit function to change the record name, record type and channel names. On the right side are icons describing the Record type and measurement configura-tion used to create this record. For "Multi-activity records" (e.g. incontinence protocols) there are icons listing all the activities used/stored in this record.

Note: If you have a TeleMyo 2400, the software will automatically change the sampling fre-quency to 1500 or 3000 Hz, depending on the frequency entered. The sampling frequency in this panel will always show the value 1000 Hz. To determine the actual sampling frequency, look in “Meas Options”.

Muscles/Devices

If channel names were created using the map functions in the Measurement Setup Menu, all selected muscles/sensors/devices are shown here as green dots. Use the lower tab system to select the cor-rect map (e.g. frontal or dorsal view). Comments By double clicking on the Comments tab, an edit button allows you to add comments to each individ-ual record. Record comments can be typed directly in the left panel. The font color and format can be modified. If your MyoResearch XP report has a Record Comment box, the information typed in this window will appear in the Record Comment box on the report. Conversely, if you type information in the Record Comment box in the report, that information will appear in the Record Info Comment screen.

Muscles/Devices Tab

Record Comments

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Edit Basic Record Info window

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If the typed text will be used again for another record (It is available for all records, regardless of the Subject name), you may want to save the “Text Clip”. 1) Open the Comment entry window (Please refer to the previous paragraph for instructions.) 2) Highlight the text 3) Click New 4) Enter a short descriptive name and it will be displayed in the “Text Clips” panel, then click OK 5) After the text appears in the “Text Clips” panel, click OK. 6) To retrieve the saved “Text Clips”, either highlight the name and click “Insert” or double-click on the name. The saved text will now appear in the left panel. Delete a text clip: Highlight the name and mouse click “Delete”. Backup/copy “Text Clips”: Mouse click “Backup/Copy”. A Noraxon Data folder will be created for the text clips. If a Noraxon Data folder already exists in the location you specify, the text clips will be added to that folder. The text will be saved as “text.rtf” inside the proper Project/Subjects folder. Picture/Video Records can be stored with synchronized Digital Video. If this function is used, a preview window with standard video controls is shown here: you can replay the video sequence or copy single pictures to the clipboard (e.g. patient photo).

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Meas. Options (Measurement Options) Each data recording can be customized or optimized by a set of Measurement Options:

• Recording options • Display options • Real Time Processing • Biofeedback • Video

All options used for a recording are summarized here, showed by their basic settings. If a measure-ment option was not used (e.g. video) it is not listed here.

Processing History

If real-time or post-hoc Signal Processing was used, all methods applied to the record/channel are listed and summarized.

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Batch signal processing (updated to software version 1.07.41)

If raw data recording was used to record the data, it may be necessary to apply signal processing (see Record Viewer - Signal Processing) to several records. For increased speed and ease of use, a batch processing routine is implemented in the database:

1) Highlight the records to process (multi-selection by holding the CTRL or Shift key). 2) Right click on the Records list and select the menu option "Batch processing". 3) In the next screen, select a stored signal processing method and apply it to all records that are marked (multi-selection by holding the CTRL or Shift key) in the records list.

MyoResearch XP is equipped with a standard set of Signal Processing Configurations.

To create and use your own:

1) View an existing record in the Record Viewer and click on Signal Processing. 2) Define an order of signal processing operations 3) Click Save to make it available as a stored configuration. 4) Enter a descriptive name 5) Browse to locate a picture (png) for the configuration. To use a picture already created in MRXP, open the “picture” folder, then select the “app” folder to view available pictures. You can also use any “png” file for the picture. If you do not select a picture, the configuration will only show the configura-tion name, making it more difficult to find in a list of configurations.

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Right Tool Bar Elements:

The Right Tool Bar offers options or helpful, additional sub menus that are needed to properly oper-ate tasks within the database management.

The upper tool section may be minimized to view the main menu functions. If it is minimized, click on the Subjects/Record bar or double arrow to maximize it. The Tools section toggles in relation to the active list. If you click on the subjects list, the subject tools are displayed automatically. Alternatively, if you click on the records list, the records tools are automatically displayed. All tool functions work similar for both of them and are described together in the following section.

Copy

The Copy command works bi-directional and allows you to send or pick up data from external directo-ries, PCs, rewritable media or connected network computers.

Use the Copy function to backup and restore your data or send it to another MyoResearch XP version installed on another computer. Alternatively, you can use the Project Copy command to copy com-plete project directories with all subjects and records.

To copy a complete Subject directory or a selection of Records, click on the Subject or Record Copy command (toggles with currently activated list type) in the tools section and define a path to the external target directory.

MyoResearch XP data are always copied to or from a special 'container directory' called Noraxon Data. This container directory is automatically created whenever you copy data out of MyoResearch XP. This special directory is needed to keep the integrity of the complex database structure of My-oResearch XP. Not only recorded data, but also measurement configurations, protocols and reports are copied to this container directory. MyoResearch data can be sent to any location or directory in your hard disk or net drive, but this container directory will always automatically be created if not al-ready available from prior copy operations: the menu dialog prompts you 'This directory doesn't con-tain Noraxon Data yet' and continues with the message box:

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Important remark to the Copy function:

Never use the Windows Explorer to send or copy single files from within this directory! Also, never directly copy data from the data directory of your MyoResearch XP version! By doing so, you may lose important index files which are needed to correctly read data. You can safely send, copy, burn or archive the complete container file Noraxon Data, but never single components from it.

When trying to copy data from an external location to your current versions, MR-XP automatically looks for the Noraxon Data container directory at the selected path and checks if it contains MyoRe-search data. When found, a split panel screen appears: on the left side you can see the existing ver-sion you are currently using (Local Subjects/Records) and on the right side, you can see the list of projects available in the external directory (External Subjects/Records).

A) Copy screen for Subjects: B) Copy screen for Records:

All Subjects or Records currently available are listed in the list screens. On the left side, you see all subjects or records (depending on which section you started the copy routine from) of your current version; on the right side you see all available subjects or records of the external target directory. If more than one project and subject are found in the external target directory, you can click the pull down arrows to open a list of available projects/subjects. To copy data from Local Records to External Records, click the left Copy button. The right button copies data from right to left (e.g. picking up ex-ternal data and adding it to your current version). Multi-selection by pressing the CTRL or Shift key is supported!

Export/Import

The Export/Import function is basically designed for the record level. Subject directories can only be exported and imported in the original MyoResearch file formats. Several import filters exist for re-cords. This list may change as the software is updated:

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"External Records" is the MyoResearch XP data format, "16-bit MR Records" is former MyoRe-search (98) data format, and “Noraxon USA Format" is the old "MyoSoft" format. Please refer to the list for other import filters supporting other manufacturers file formats. The list is continued with file formats of other manufacturers of biomechanical devices and this list may grow with future versions.

ASCII The ASCII data exchange format is the most common format to exchange data. However, it has the drawback of large file sizes. MyoResearch XP supports an import and export routine for semicolon or tab separated files. Usually a header line will specify some record properties, such as file and channel names, measurement frequency and units. The MyoResearch XP import routine tries to identify these entries automatically. If it fails or specifications are simply missing, the following menu can be used to fill or correct the specifications:

Double click on the list cells to edit them. The MyoResearch ASCII Export automatically creates a table-separated file structure with a header line containing all typically needed file specifications:

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This ASCII data arrangement can directly be imported to, e.g. Excel or other analysis packages. C3D Format C3D is a well-established data format for all types of biomechanical data, especially complex move-ment analysis data. C3D Export files can be directly imported. Some physical units may not be avail-able in MyoResearch XP default settings. The import options screen allows the user to specify which import Unit refers to which MyoResearch XP channel Type:

The amount of import channels is unlimited!

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Delete

The Delete function completely removes subjects or records and all associated properties from the database.

Attention! Please Note: once executed, the erased data cannot be restored again!

Normative Database Button Normative data is created by a special report option (see menu Report - "Add to Normative"). Typi-cally, time Normalized averaged curves (e.g. all selected strides from a gait trial) of several healthy people are averaged to a group average curve. When done with healthy people, these averaged group curves can be considered as "Normative Curves" for selected movements or tasks. Normative data (-curves) require special database handling in the database system. To enter the Normative da-tabase screen hit Normative Database and follow the help instructions supported there.

Lower Main Operation Buttons

The lower Main Operation button bar contains the main functions of a given menu. It is organized in a traffic light principle: on the left side you find the green Main Action button ("Measure"), on the right side the "Stop" button and in between are the Options buttons (View/Analyze).

Measure You will enter the Measurement Setup menu, which allows you to create, choose or reload a meas-urement configuration. View/Analyze By double clicking on a record in the record list or clicking on the View/Analyze button, you will load a record to the record viewer. The record viewer allows you to visually inspect a signal, perform edit and signal processing operations or start an analysis report for the record. Exit Here you leave MyoResearch XP.

Normative Database Introduction The Normative database manages all database operations related to Normative files. Typically, these Normative files contain a group of average curves of exercises or activities occurring in a continuous repetitive cycle, like extension-flexion cycles on Isokinetics devices or gait cycles in regular walking or running activities. Normative files are created in the Report menu. After storing a subject record with a sequence of repetitions, signal processing (e.g. rectification and smoothing) and period definition (typically in mode 'Every Interval with event'), it is used with reports such as Average Activation, Gait or Isokinetics. These report setups create an average curve of all repetitions of the given exercise/activity, as shown for a back extension/flexion movement on a back training device:

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(Phase 1 is the back extension phase, the Event in the analysis interval is the point of return between extension and flexion. Phase 2 is the back flexion. The red shaded area shows +/- standard deviation). Once such an average curve ("ensemble averaged curve") is created, it can be used to build a Norm curve or group curve for this activity. The button Add To Normative in the right tool bar opens a small menu that allows the user to create a new Normative file or add another record to an existing Norma-tive file:

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New creates a new Normative file.

Number of points is the time normalization vector. E.g. 100 points means the signal is expressed in 1% data steps and the signal is 100 data points long. This is the recommended default setting be-cause typically, the time normalization applied to the subject repetitions is 100 data points or 1%. If needed, the time normalization frame can be increased or decreased between 10 and 1000 points. Add includes the currently analyzed average curve to an existing Normative file: it will be part of the group averaging of this Normative file. Attention: Only records of identical channel setup (same channel names) and identical period defini-tion can be added to an existing Normative file! The important benefit of this normative database function is that it can be used to build your own Norm curves for any desired activity and, e.g. used as a comparison curve for patient data (see Compare step in the Report Setup Step Scheme or Compare button in the main operation bar of the Report Menu).

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Normative Database Menu Description The Normative Database Menu is organized in a similar way to the regular Database Menu:

The main difference is that Normative files (Normatives) replace the Subjects of the regular database functions. Normatives are organized in Projects, which means each project has its own set of Norma-tive files. On the left list panel, all available Normatives are listed. The lower Normative Info panel specifies the file name and number of normalization points used in the time normalization window for file averaging. By double clicking on the Info Section, the file name can be changed. The Records list on the right side lists all records - or to stay in the example mentioned in the intro-ductory chapter - their averaged curves, that are part of the Normative file. The Record Info section below the Records list is organized in a similar manner to the regular Database Record Info section. The register card Basic can be used to edit file and channel names. View/Analyze loads a Normative file or a single record in a Normative file to the Record Viewer:

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The Normative group curve or individual average curve is displayed as a regular signal plus/minus one standard deviation. For averaged curves created by the period definition mode Interval with event, the event line (typically "point of return" in up/down movements or "toe off" in gait cycles) is displayed as a red vertical line. Due to the special data file arrangement, Record Options, such as Edit or Sig-nal Processing are disabled. Record Tools are available and channel overlays can be created. For more detailed descriptions of Record Viewer functions, refer to the Online Help of the regular Data-base Menu. The Save as... function allows you to store a Normative curve as a record on the regular Database level. When doing so, only the average curve itself, not the standard deviation ranges are stored (the regular database system cannot manage three 'signals' in one channel). The benefit of this operation is that now this saved file can be handled like a regular record, e.g. Edit and Signal Processing opera-tions can be applied and any analysis can be performed. The lower left Analyze button starts the regular Select Report Menu. Theoretically, all reports can be applied to analyze the Normative file, but the special data format of this Normative file should be con-sidered (e.g. unlike regular records, the X-axis scaling is time normalized and frequency calculations may not be reasonable). The main intention may be to review, re-analyze or compare an existing Normative file with the report that created it (typically Average Activation, Gait or Isokinetics). The Report Setup 3 Step Scheme is performed as usual (see online help for Report Setup), the only im-portant difference is: In step two, Period Definition, the mode By Markers/Red Lines would be the most convenient to use: Normative records automatically receive red marker lines, one at the beginning, one at the event and one at the end of the curve. These red lines can be used for period definition, e.g. by the mode Every Interval with event and Marker Type 'Red Lines':

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This period definition creates the original two phases average curve (back extension and flexion, to stay in the example mentioned in the intro), indicated by the yellow and blue bars in the Periods line below the curves. Finally, Report Setup Step 3 Compare allows you to optionally compare your cur-rent Normative file to another one (mode Compare to Normatives).

Example: Comparison of two Normative files, created and re-analyzed with the Average Activation Report. Attention: Only Normatives with the same channel (names) and report setup (period definition) can be compared! In summary, Normative files can be used as a comparison file for individual subject records (e.g. pa-tient curve is compared to the healthy norm curve) or Normative files can be compared against each other (e.g. analyzed group differences). Once loaded to the report menu, Normative curves can be copied to the clipboard (and pasted to any

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other Windows based analysis program), exported, stored as a 'record' or printed out.

Measurement Setup Menu

Quick Start Tutorial MyoResearch XP allows you to create, store and load your own measurement configurations, which match the hardware that you are using. To create a new configuration, follow Instruction A, to load a predefined one, follow Instruction B. All configurations are organized into Application Groups. The default group is "Master Mode". In any configuration, the muscle maps can be used to quickly select and drag a muscle to the list of selected channels. Various measurement options organized in 5 cate-gories (Recording Options, Real Time Processing, Display Options, Biofeedback, Video) can be load-ed and modified as needed.

Instruction A: Create a Measurement

1. Select a map view, then click and drag the desired muscles/devices to the list of selected channels on the top right of the screen.

2. Click on the Measurement Options button in the side panel on the right and make your selec-tions.

3. Click "Start" in the bottom left corner of the screen to enter the Measurement Screen. Instruction B: Load a Measurement Configuration

4. To load a Measurement Configuration, click on the "Load" button in the bottom panel or on the Application or Configuration icon in the right side panel. In the new dialog window you can select/switch between existing application groups (upper section) and their configurations (lower section).

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Main screen elements: Project / New & Organize – Element Project is the highest level in the hierarchy of the MyoResearch XP database. This level can be used to separate different projects or users working in the same version. For several projects available in one version, you can click the pull-down button to open a list of all existing projects and change to another Project Directory. New creates a new Project Directory. Organize contains all operations needed to manage a Project Directory (Edit, Copy, Delete). This function is explained in more detail in the Database Menu Help function.

Subject / New – Element Subjects are the second level in the MyoResearch XP Database System. Typically, all records (third level) of one person are stored and listed here. The upper Subject / New Element displays the currently selected subject. All future records are au-tomatically stored in this subject directory. To create a new Subject Directory, click on New and enter a new subject name. To change to another subject, click on the desired subject name in the Subjects list.

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Muscle/Devices Maps A set of 5 Muscle or Device maps can be used to locate and fill muscle/devices names into the channel list on the right side:

• Frontal View: all muscles visible in a frontal view are shown in a left-right configuration (auto-matically adds the site indicators LT or RT to the muscle name).

• Dorsal View: all muscles visible in a dorsal view are shown in a left-right configuration (auto-matically adds the site indicators LT or RT to the muscle name).

• Frontal Dorsal View: a combined frontal-dorsal view is shown, without left-right configuration. • Pelvic Floor: special map for pelvic floor dysfunction and incontinence protocols. • Noraxon Sensors: a selection of Noraxon’s inline sensors and sensor systems. • Biomech Devices: a selection of other manufacturers devices.

Place the mouse over an electrode position of interest: the muscle name will display in a yellow info panel. Click and drag the muscle name to the channel list on the right side. Alternatively, click on the muscle site to fill the muscle name to the highlighted channel line in the channel list. Green dots on the map indicate that this electrode position is already chosen for a channel, yellow dots indicate the position/muscle is currently selected in the channels list, transparent dots are not selected in the channel list.

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Maps are created by another program called editmap.exe, which is located in the MyoResearch XP Root Directory. Experienced users can add, change or delete electrode/muscle locations and even create new maps. We recommend backing up the existing sub directory "Maps" first, because edited or deleted maps cannot be restored by MyoResearch XP.

Channels List MyoResearch XP can measure up to 32 channels, depending on the installed hardware configuration. The channel list contains 5 parameters/columns: 1) Channel number The channel number (first column) in this list relates to the first physical number in the amplifier, e.g. the first EMG input channel of the MyoSystem or TeleMyo devices). Refer to the technical description of your hardware to determine which numbered channels are available. 2) On - switch By checking this box, a new channel is activated. The default setting is EMG. Unchecking it deletes the channel settings. 3) Side Whenever muscle sites from the frontal or dorsal map view are loaded, a left (LT) or right (RT) side indicator is filled in this column. These side indicators are very important for left to right side compari-sons in the analysis reports. The Report Setup Step Scheme supports a mode called Compare Sides, at step 3 Comparison. (For more detail, check the local help of Report Setup.)

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When selected, these side indicators in the channel names are used to identify the left and the right side of a given muscle site.

Attention: to work properly, the muscle name itself must be identical (e.g. PECT. MAJOR) for the comparison channels, only the site indicator differs with LT and RT. Two Noraxon default reports are designed to use side comparison:

• Symmetry (in report section Clinical Reports) • Bilateral Gait (in report section Gait Reports)

4) Type This entry defines the input type of the channel. The type can be EMG, force (N), torque (Nm), switches (on/off) etc. Double click on the type entry to open up a list of available channel types. Channel types are defined and calibrated in the Hardware menu; this icon is located in the right tool bar. As an example, if you drag a muscle name from the map, the channel type automatically be-comes type "EMG". If you use the Device map, the channel type of the selected sensor is automati-cally filled in. Attention: some sensors from the Device map may be equipped with default calibration values, which needs a new calibration check under the given local condition. We strongly recommend first checking the validity of a type selection and its calibration settings by a test input or control measure, before you use it for your studies. 5) Name As an alternative to using the muscle maps, you can manually type in any desired channel name. Use this function if the maps do not contain the name you desire. Double click on the channel name, edit it and confirm your changes by pressing the "enter" key. 6) Amplitude Each channel type may need its own amplitude scaling factor for optimum presentation of the signal. You can change and customize the amplitude scaling of the signals, by entering any suitable value. By default, a value of 500 for EMG means that plus/minus 500 microvolts are visible in the Measure-ment Monitor. 7) Units Depending on the channel type definition, the physical unit is displayed here. You cannot edit it in this channel list. If you need to change it, go to the "Hardware" menu. 8) Rec (Recording) This check box allows you to include (checked) or exclude (unchecked) a channel from data re-cording. This may be helpful when you want to present/display, but not actually record a channel.

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Local Tools for the channel list The local Tool bar of the channel list may be minimized. To maximize this toolbar, click on the small double arrow button near Tools. These useful functions are available: Mark All: This switch marks all channels defined in the channel list. This option is meaningful for the three other Tool functions, because they all refer to marked channels. New: Creates a new channel using the default settings (EMG, amplitude 500). Delete: Deletes all marked channels. Amplitude +/- : By pressing the plus or minus button, the amplitude of all the marked channels is in-creased or decreased in steps.

Info Section The Info Section consists of two tab cards: Info This card can be used to add explanation texts to a given Measurement Configuration. The file format supported here is the "chm" format, which is HTML based and can be created by the Microsoft Help Workshop. To load a "chm" file as a Measurement Configuration Info screen, click "Browse" to locate it on your hard disk. Meas. Options Each Measurement Configuration can be customized by numerous Measurement Options (see next section). When a special Measurement Option is activated with the configuration, its basic settings are summarized here for a more detailed overview. If you want to see detailed information or have direct access to these settings, double click on any entry and it will automatically open the Setup menu. For multi-activity setups (for example, incontinence protocols), you will find a list of icons representing all activities defined in this Measurement Configuration.

Right Tool Bar Elements Application and Configuration Icon The Application window displays the icons representing the Application Group you are currently using. Measurement Configurations are sorted by their applications, e.g. gait configurations are located in "Gait", clinical feedback protocols in "Feedback Training" etc. This grouping helps you sort and manage the numerous Measurement Configurations. MyoResearch XP is equipped with a set of pre-defined Application Groups that cover a wide range of EMG applications. You may want to use, mod-ify or create your own Application Groups and Measurement Configurations. For more details, check the description of the option buttons "New/Load/Save" in the main operation bar as described next. When you start MyoResearch XP for the first time, you automatically start in the generic application group "Master Mode", which is not filled. At any time, you can store (Save As) your self-written con-

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figurations and Load them for repeated use.

Measurement Options MyoResearch starts with a set of standard recording and display options, which can be customized or expanded by numerous helpful options like acoustic beeper, real time processing, biofeedback dis-plays and synchronized video. These additional measurement options are organized in 5 sections as described below. Recording Options MyoResearch XP offers four different modes of data recording. By default, the program works in the continuous traces mode, but measurement configurations using another recording scheme can be used at any time.

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Continuous Traces This is the standard mode of recording. Any connected signal is shown as a continuous curve. The main recording operations are; to start the data recording, interrupt it by the Freeze/Pause functions (see Measurement help function) and to store and name the record. Three register cards allow you to define some specific recording settings: Card 1: Basic Settings Depending on your hardware/amplifier, the sampling frequency (default is 1000 Hz) can be adjusted. Note: Noraxon TeleMyo 2400 devices automatically measure with 1500 or 3000 Hz, due to the tech-nical design. If you type in any value, the closest sampling rate is chosen (in the case of 1000 Hz it is 1500 Hz, in the case of 4000 Hz it is 3000 Hz.). The function Limit recording time can be used if you want to measure a fixed and predefined time interval. Depending on the value (in seconds) you type in, the recording will automatically stop when this value is reached. If needed, the recording can be restarted. The Pretrigger defines a time period that is recorded before any regular start of data recording. Later, this pretrigger period is added before the regular start of a recording. A marker line "Pretrigger event" indicates the end of the pretrigger period and the beginning of the regular recording period. This func-tion is especially helpful in any recordings triggered by external start trigger signals, e.g. the ground contact switch signal in jump testing: The pretrigger periods show you the activation of muscles before the ground contact (that starts the regular recording). Card 2: Metronome MyoResearch XP has a built-in Metronome function; this is very helpful, as it provides a cadence for repeated movements (gait) or to standardize the duration of repetition cycles. Beeps per minute, Beep duration and Repeat allows you to set up the metronome characteristics. By default, a short computer tone is used as a beeper sound, but the Sound control allows you to se-lect any file available in the MyoResearch XP Sound directory. Any sound file (*.wav format) can be used, but it must first be copied to this directory. If the control Mark beep start/end is checked, at each beginning and/or end of the "beep", a marker line is placed in the record. Card 3: Triggering MyoResearch XP is equipped with a start and an end trigger. The control Start recording and Stop recording allows you to define a specific trigger channel, the trigger event type Rises above/Falls below and the needed threshold value (in the unit of the selected channel type).

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Periodic Recording (Master Edition only) In Periodic Recording, the data recording is periodically interrupted with non-recording pauses. This means only the recorded intervals are stored to the record. This function is especially helpful for long-er measurements, e.g. frequently used in ergonomic studies.

Card 1: Basic settings Depending on your hardware/amplifier, the sampling Frequency (default is 1000 Hz) can be adjusted. Note: Noraxon TeleMyo 2400 devices automatically measure with 1500 or 3000 Hz, due to the tech-nical design. If you type in any value, the closest sampling rate is chosen (for 1000 Hz, it is 1500 Hz; for 4000 Hz, it is 3000 Hz.). The Duration and optional Sound event can be specified for the Recorded interval and the Pause interval. Card 2: Metronome MyoResearch XP has a built-in Metronome function; this is very helpful, as it provides a cadence for repeated movements (gait) or to standardize the duration of repetition cycles.

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Beeps per minute, Beep duration and Repeat allows you to set up the metronome characteristics. By default a short computer tone is used as a beeper sound, but the Sound control allows you to se-lect any file available in the MyoResearch XP "Sound" directory. Any sound file (*.wav format) can be used, but it must first be copied to this directory. If the control Mark beep start/end is checked, at each beginning and/or end of the "beep", a marker line is placed in the record. Card 3: Triggering MyoResearch XP is equipped with a start and an end trigger. The control Start recording and Stop recording allows you to define a specific trigger channel, the trigger event type Rises above/Falls below and the needed threshold value (in the unit of the selected channel type).

Multi-Activity Recording (Master Edition only) This mode separates a record in activity phases. Each of these activities can be controlled by acous-tic and visual commands and can receive a specific set of contraction duration and pausing intervals. Later, in report, each activity can be analyzed separately and presented by its own analysis frame. Card 1: Basic Settings Monitor only: This function allows you to perform the complete sequence of activities without re-cording the data to hard disk. Frequency: Depending on your hardware/amplifier, the sampling Frequency (default is 1000 Hz) can be adjusted. Note: Noraxon TeleMyo 2400 devices automatically measure with 1500 or 3000 Hz, due to the tech-nical design. If you type in any value, the closest sampling rate is chosen (for 1000 Hz, it is 1500 Hz; for 4000 Hz, it is 3000 Hz). Background sound: If you want to play continuous background music, which is the same for all ac-tivities, click on the pull down list and choose a sound file (*.wav format). To access external, im-ported (from CD) sound files, they first must be copied to the MyoResearch\Sound directory. Alterna-tively, you can directly access the CD drive and play the CD inserted there. End Sound: If a special sound event should be played at the very end of the activity sequence, choose a sound file from the pull down list. Alternatively, you can directly access the CD drive and play the CD inserted there. Card 2: Activities Here you find the activity editor:

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(Load the multi-activity protocol in the incontinence application group to follow and use as an example) On the left side is an iconized list of activities, already created for the measurement configuration. Each activity is defined by its basic Activity settings, Pause period and Contractions period: Section Activity Attributes Name: Specify a name for the activity. Picture: Load an icon (bmp, ico, jpg, png, gif) for the activity if desired. Repeat: Define how often this activity should be repeated before the recording continues with the next activity. Section Pause Enable: Check this box if a pausing period should appear between this and the next activity. Sound: You can define a sound event (command) for the pausing interval. Limit Duration: You can automatically stop the pausing period by entering a value in seconds. Section Contractions Type: The contractions period has 3 types or modes to be operated:

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1) Manual stop: After the recording is started, stopping the recording has to be performed manually. Press the Finish button in the Main Operation Bar of the Measurement Monitor. Name is the screen command shown in the training assistant/status line of the measurement monitor. Sound is the sound command that will be played when the contraction phase starts. 2) Automatic stop: The same as manual stop, but the contraction period is automatically stopped after the time specified under Duration. 3) Periodic start & stop: This allows you to define contraction cycles or repetitions. Repeat specifies the amount of repetitions. Each repetition cycle can have a First phase (e.g. flexion within a movement or muscle activity in-crease) and a Second phase (backward movement, e.g. extension or relaxation). Both phases can be setup with specified screen commands: Name, Sound and a certain Duration. This system allows you to create types of test and training sessions that are guided by an "electronic assistant". The lower controls allow you to create New or Delete/Delete All activities in this configuration.

Template Training (Master Edition only) The Template Training recording mode is based on the standard Continuous Traces mode, but adds a template curve to the background of each channel display:

Typically, the contraction pattern from the healthy side is used as a reference template to train the injured side. First it is needed to create a template record. This can be any activity or contraction measured in the standard Continuous Recording mode of MyoResearch XP.

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Basic Settings

Frequency: Depending on your hardware/amplifier, the sampling Frequency (default is 1000 Hz) can be adjusted. Note: Noraxon TeleMyo 2400 devices automatically measure with 1500 or 3000 Hz, due to the tech-nical design. If you type in any value, the closest sampling rate is chosen (for 1000 Hz, it is 1500 Hz; for 4000 Hz, it is 3000 Hz.). Section Template Location Any record can serve as a template curve. The controls Project, Subject and Record allow you to pick any record available in your database. View will load the selected record to the record viewer for quick checking. Section Settings Window: Activates a smoothing function for the template range (Deviation). The control length de-fines the smoothing window length used for the moving average algorithm applied here.

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Deviation: The template record originally is a curve based on single amplitude values. To make it easier for subjects to follow the template, a yellow range around this single curve can be created, by defining a Deviation range. Later, in the Measurement Monitor, you will also find the possibility to adjust the smoothing window and deviation in real time, which may make it easier to adjust it to individual needs. Section Apply to This function allows you to define which channel types or physical channel numbers should be used to display the selected template.

Display Options

Tab section "Traces" The display options allow you to customize the signal presentation in the Measurement Monitor. The function "Display Traces" allows you to record, but not show the signals on the monitor. "Filling mode for rectified signals" fills the area under the signal curve with color to make it more visible on the screen. "Show current amplitude value" displays the amplitude value of each channel. The precision of these values behind the period (amount of decimals) can be customized in the hardware menu (de-scribed later). "Show zero line" adds a thin line in the middle of each channel to indicate the amplitude zero position "Show grid" adds a scaling grid to the background. "Sweep speed" is the signal running speed. The speed is determined by the width of the monitor window (scaled in seconds). If the value is increased, the signal speed is reduced. Tab section "Color Schemes" You can customize the color of each channel curve. Double click on the color area in the column "Color" and select another color if desired.

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Real Time Processing (Master Edition only) The Real Time Processing Options are separated in two tab sections, the Mean Value Recording and the User Defined mode:

The main purpose of this measurement option is to alter the original (e.g. raw EMG) signal in real-time and present it in a (signal) processed form during recording. Mean Value Recording displays and records the mean value changes of user defined time duration and refreshes the signal screen in ratio to this duration interval. User Defined processing setup allows a conversion of the original raw signal to, e.g. a rectified, smoothed EMG, which may be helpful for clinical settings, template training, bio-feedback sessions and other applications where an easy-to-read signal is important. A very powerful tool is the real time Maximum Voluntary Contraction normalization, which allows an evaluation of Neu-romuscular Demand while subjects are performing an activity. The User Defined option is similar to the Record Viewer Signal Processing routines (see Record Viewer); the only difference is that the User Defined option displays the processed results real-time, i.e. while the data is being collected.

Mean Value Recording This mode is basically designed for long measurements, where any raw data recording would mean too much data or processing time would be needed for an analysis. Instead of raw data, sampled at e.g. 1000 Hz, the mean amplitude value of a user defined time period will be stored. The control, Re-cord mean value each....s, allows you to define a time interval for this Mean Value Recording. The benefit is, only this single amplitude mean value will be stored to the record. Attention! Please note, you cannot go back and access the raw data (it is not saved in this mode).

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User defined Typically, stored EMG data is processed by several signal-processing methods such as rectification, smoothing and normalization, before it is analyzed (exception: frequency based analysis types). My-oResearch XP offers the possibility to perform such signal processing in real-time. The main benefit is, difficult to read, bipolar, raw EMG signals, can be smoothed and displayed as stable curves; e.g. by applying rectification and smoothing. By doing this, it is much easier for both the patient and the clini-cian to read and follow the EMG activation on the screen. This smoothed & rectified signal (often called linear envelope) can be used to perform template based (see Recording Options) or threshold based (see Biofeedback) treatment or training. MyoResearch XP not only processes the data in real time, but also makes a hidden copy of the raw data set. The benefit to this is, later frequency based analysis parameters (that require raw data) or modified signal processing commands can be applied. Four Signal Processing methods, listed under Available methods, can be loaded (Insert) to a se-quence of processing commands (Selected methods). You can easily create any sequence and/or order of processing methods and load them several times, if needed.

Rectification This very popular processing method multiplies all amplitude values in a signal with +1, with the effect that all negative values become positive; all amplitudes below the zero line become positive ampli-tudes. The purpose of this operation is to achieve positive amplitude curves that allow you to calcu-late parameters like mean amplitude, area under the curve, etc.

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Smoothing Typically, for amplitude based calculations and analysis, the raw EMG is smoothed by digital filters, root mean squares or moving average algorithms. The effect is that non-reproducible EMG spikes are eliminated and the mean trend of the EMG innervation is used. As described earlier, another benefit is easier reading of the EMG patterns, which is useful for clinical tests, biofeedback oriented treat-ments or trainings. The following smoothing Algorithms are supported:

• RMS - Root Mean Square • Mean - the moving average • Mean absolute - the moving average with combined rectification

Window: allows you to define the millisecond-based window for each algorithm.

Amplitude Normalization This unique feature allows you to view real-time MVC-normalized EMG amplitudes, which can be used for biofeedback purposes or to study the muscular demand of a selected activity. The normalization is done on the Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC) which has to be performed prior to the test or training trials (typically, static contractions for each muscle 3-5 s, repeated 2 times). When activated, the real-time amplitude normalization routine adds a new button to the Main Operation Bar: MVC.

This button allows you to first perform a MVC record that can be used to calculate MVC values for each muscle (channel). The control Window defines how precisely the MVC value is defined: by en-tering a value in ms, the mean value of this window is taken as the MVC reference value. The algo-rithm automatically searches for the highest mean found in each channel and displays it as a green area, marked as "MVC":

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As shown in this example, the MVC window is set to 1000 ms; its mean value is being used as the reference value to normalize all future records to this reference value. MVC recordings can be inter-rupted as many times as needed by pressing the Freeze or Pause button in the Right Tool Bar of the Measurement Monitor. The MVC algorithm automatically finds the highest MVC portion by analyzing the whole record for each channel. When finished, a Store As dialog box will appear: Use MVC values: If checked (by default and recommended), the currently identified MVC values are stored to internal memory. Now, all records measured with the regular Main Action Button Start will automatically be real-time normalized to the MVC values in the memory. The MVC values remain in the memory until they are overwritten with a new MVC record (started with the MVC button). Store MVC as a new record: This control allows you to store the MVC trial, as a separate record to your database (by default and recommended). Record name: Here you can enter any MVC record name. When the Store As dialog is done, you can continue with your investigation or treatment by pressing Start: The measurement monitor will show you the real-time normalized EMG traces. Amplitude: This value, in percent, defines the default scaling on all normalized channels in the Meas-urement Monitor. Section Apply to: The Amplitude Normalization can be applied to certain channel types (typically EMG) or physical channel numbers. Delete and Delete all You can delete an individual signal processing method from the iconized list of Selected methods or delete the complete list.

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Limit MVC duration In some cases it makes sense to standardize the duration of the MVC recording (e.g. when working with only one or two muscles). When checking this control, you can enter a time value in seconds to limit the MVC recording to a fixed time interval.

Filtering A set of commonly used digital filters are available in this processing method: Filter: Selects the filter type: FIR, IIR, Median FIR - Finite Impulse Response filter

Window: Number of points used to process the data. Attention: with longer windows, the quality improves but the real time processing takes more time and creates a delay. Type: The filter can act as a low, high, bandpass or rejecter filter. Use the Low/High frequency con-trols to specify the filter range. Windows (below frequency): sub type selection to define the edge-fading window. IIR - Infinite Impulse Response-Filter

Type: The filter can act as a low pass, high pass or rejecter filter. Frequency: The edge Frequency can be entered in Hz. Approximation: Defines the sub type of the filter. Median - Filter

Window: Defines the amount of data points used for the filter algorithm. Section Apply to: Each filter command can be selectively applied to channel types or physical chan-nel numbers.

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Biofeedback (Master Edition only) The Biofeedback option adds a new window next to the regular traces screen in the Measurement Monitor.

The basic idea of the biofeedback window is to present the signal amplitudes in easy-to-read displays and threshold ranges to provide a target for EMG activation or relaxation. Currently, two types of biofeedback modes are available: Rising Bars, which can be used for general purposes, and Squeezing Circles, which is a special signal presentation for pelvic floor muscle training.

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The Online FFT is a special form of biofeedback because it cannot be directly controlled by voluntary efforts. It displays changes in the EMG frequency during contraction.

Rising Bars The most popular biofeedback display, for any type of signal, is the Rising Bar Graph: a bar graph rises in proportion to the amplitude increase. The setup section for the Bar Graph display starts with Channel Settings. This control allows you to activate (Enable) the biofeedback display for a given channel type or a physical channel number. Auto scaling: If active, the optimal amplitude scaling, for the bar graph is checked and used. Min and Max threshold: You can add a threshold range to the bar graph display by defining a mini-mum and maximum threshold range value. The threshold range is displayed as a yellow background area and typically serves as a target area for the EMG activation or amplitude level of any other se-lected signal type. This threshold definition can receive sounds, depending on the threshold event: The audio feature can be activated when the signal is above, in or below the threshold range. This means that if the bar is above, in or below this threshold range, the computer plays the selected sound.

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Any sound file in *wav format can be used. For external sound files, you need to, first, copy them into the "Sound" directory of the MyoResearch package root level. Use this threshold event based sound system to give contraction commands, applause or other motivational feedback to facilitate the desired activation pattern. Section Common Settings: Typically, EMG signals are visually highly variable and it may be necessary to "smooth" them in both speed and amplitude. Use the Smoothing window control to define a window for a smoothing (moving average) factor that slows down the EMG spikes and makes it easier for the subjects to control the activation within a cer-tain level. This smoothing is strictly a display feature for the bar graph and does not affect the re-cording and signal processing of the data.

Squeezing Circles This feedback type has exactly the same functionality as the Rising Bars described above. The only difference is that for any amplitude increase, it decreases the diameter of the circle. This feedback style is designed for pelvic floor training, like e.g. incontinence training, and should reflect the contrac-tion of vaginal or anal muscle rings.

Real Time FFT A real time frequency analysis is performed while monitoring/recording the data. Depending on the FFT window length, there will be a short time delay for this calculation. Display Mode Frequency Bars: Horizontal bars indicating the mean or the median frequency are displayed in the biofeedback window.

This display type is very helpful when using four or more channels.

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Graphs: A 2D-graph of the total power spectrum is added to the mean/median frequency bars.

Cascading Graphs: A cascading 3D-graph is shown above each mean/median frequency bar.

This graph mode is useful to examine the history of power spectrums. FFT Settings Window length: This is determined by the number of data points used for the FFT. Data points from 62 to 4096 are supported. The calculation time increases if a larger number of data points are used. Calculated parameter: You can choose between the mean and the median frequency. Number of 50%-overlapped windows: The amount of window overlapping can be specified here. This switch has a smoothing effect in the FFT display. Apply to: The real-time FFT can be applied to channel types or selected channel numbers.

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Video Any camera connected to the PC or notebook (Digital camera, USB/Web CAM, TV/analog converter board) can be used to synchronize video images with the trace recordings. Both data sources are stored and can be replayed and analyzed in the Record Viewer.

Enable Video activates the video monitor and recording for the measurement. Monitor without re-cording can be used to only show the video in the Measurement Monitor, but not record it. Before using this function, it is necessary to setup the video source and choose a compression codec for the video data. The video setup is located in the Hardware menu, under the section Video input. Any Measurement Configuration can be assisted by synchronized video. This is helpful to document and review the examined movement/task and/or to use the video as a 3D trigger to define analysis periods (see Record Viewer help menu).

Hardware Menu This sub menu addresses all setup options needed to access and manage the installed hardware components. It can be located by pressing the button Hardware in the Measurement Setup screen. Hardware Device

This iconized list section can be used to select the Noraxon MyoSystem/TeleMyo type (cable units, telemetry, etc.), other manufacturers AD devices (User defined) or a Demo driver that allows the user to simulate measurements based on stored demo data - without using any connected hardware.

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A/D Input This box is used for configuring parameters of A/D conversion. Note that some of the hardware de-vices may have a choice of different A/D inputs for data transfer, so please ensure that the correct A/D input is selected. The input-specific configuration menus, which appear after pressing the button Set-tings, are listed below. A) Noraxon USB Device The A/D input Noraxon USB Device is used with all Noraxon devices that have USB interface: Nor-axon 1400 series, MyoTrace Plus series, TeleMyo 2400R receiver system and the external Noraxon USB A/D board.

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Following is the description of settings that you can adjust for this A/D input.

Gain Settings: Each channel can receive its individual gain factor. The gain factor does not change the physical unit, but changes the resolution of A/D conversion. Cut-Off Frequency: The low-pass input filter can be set to 500 or 1000 Hz. If 1000 Hz is used, you must have a sampling rate that is at least 2x the bandpass. The possible sampling rate used will vary according to the hardware being used. Warn me about incorrect settings: If this option is checked, the ratio between the EMG bandpass cut-off frequency and the sampling frequency is automatically checked. At a minimum, the sampling frequency must be set to 2x the bandpass. The cut-off frequency must not exceed half the sampling frequency to avoid anti-aliasing effects (see Measurement Setup menu). If this is not done, a warning message will appear at the start of the measurement. USB Receiver: This option is only activated if a TeleMyo 2400 receiver is connected to the system. Battery information can be checked and preset. Logging: This small sub menu is only needed for support issues and should only be used for service reasons. Debugging should only be activated and used for service and support requests! For service requests, the Noraxon support person will instruct you regarding setting up the Log level and saving the debugger report file.

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B) Noraxon Wireless Device The A/D input Noraxon Wireless Device is used for Noraxon TeleMyo 2400T, which works with commonly used wireless LAN adapters (both notebook built-in adapters and add-on PCMCIA or PCI cards). The wireless device Control Panel is arranged similar to the MyoSystem 1400 panel, but adds some new controls specific to telemetric data transmission technique:

Gain Settings: Each channel can receive its individual gain factor. The gain factor does not change the physical unit, but changes the resolution of A/D conversion. Noraxon TeleMyo devices work with EMG pre-amplification of 500. For a gain factor of 2 (recommended setting), the total EMG gain will be equal to 1000, which is a well accepted standard. Cut-Off Frequency: The EMG bandpass can be set to low pass 500 or 1000 Hz. Warn me about incorrect settings: If this option is checked, the ratio between the EMG bandpass cut-off frequency and the sampling frequency is automatically checked. At a minimum, the sampling frequency must be set to 2x the bandpass. The cut-off frequency must not exceed half the sampling frequency to avoid anti-aliasing effects (see Measurement Setup menu). If this is not done, a warning message will appear at the start of the measurement. Transmitters: The first option configures the battery-warning message that appears prior to every measurement when the battery level falls below the chosen value. Due to technical limitations, the estimation of battery charging levels has a certain error range of plus/minus 15%. It is recommended not to operate the transmitters below 20% battery level. The option “Test Transmitter” opens a small status window, which shows the battery level, the radios channel, the country code, and the firmware version for each detected transmitter.

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This test panel is important for service requests and the Noraxon support person may ask you to check some settings displayed here. Network adapter This section defines the wireless LAN adapter used for communicating with the Noraxon device. Prior to selecting the adapter, it is necessary to install the transmission protocol Noraxon-To-Aironet and restart the computer. Please refer to the hardware manual to install this protocol. Once the protocol is applied to the network adapter, the adapter can be selected for communication. It is recommended to do so by selecting Use specific network adapter, then selecting the wireless LAN board with the Noraxon protocol. The section Radio Frequency/Network specifies the radio channel, which will be used for communi-cation. Each telemetry transmitter is preset to a certain radio channel (see hardware specs of your shipment) that must match this entry. Typically, channel 1 or 6 is used. Some countries are required to use other radio channels, due to local laws and regulations. Please refer to the hardware manual for more detailed information. Logging activates the Service and Debugging Functions:

This small sub menu is only needed for support issues and should only be used for service reasons. Debugging should only be activated and used for service and support requests! For service re-quests, the Noraxon support person will instruct you regarding setting up the Log level and saving the debugger report file.

C) A/D Demo driver settings For demonstration purposes, a demo data driver can be installed to replay demo data in the Meas-urement Menu. Settings opens a list of available demo records, which are stored in the subdirectory DEMO DATA of MyoResearch XP directory.

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D) DriverLinx This AD driver is suitable for Noraxon users who want to install MyoResearch XP as a software up-date for MyoSystem 2000 and 1200 units that were shipped with a Keithley PCMCIA board. The AD driver only appears in the AD selection list if the DriverLinx software and drivers developed for the Keithley PCMCIA KPC 12-AI are installed on the computer. Make sure that the latest Windows XP compatible version is installed. Usually the Keithley board is installed as a logical device #0 and all channel gains are +/- 5 volts:

E) National Instrument Card This AD driver is developed for the latest generation National Instruments AD boards, especially for the 12 Bit PCM CIA DAQ Card 6024 E (other cards may work, but would require special testing). The driver only appears in the list if the driver software and the board were installed correctly! The Debugging section should only be activated by Noraxon service requests! Typically, the DAQ Card is installed and configured to Device number 1 (see section Configuration). Depending on the installed board, Gain Settings can be customized in the lower menu section.

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Video Input This menu manages the video setup routine for the video input device and compression codecs. DirectX compatible video input devices can be used to display synchronized video data. By clicking on Settings, all video devices are listed. Select the desired device and follow the steps described be-low:

Video Input Device: All video devices (DV cameras, USB CAM, TV video board) are listed here and can be selected as a video source. Enable audio: If you want to record audio in your video file, this box must be checked. Audio re-cording requires additional computing power and increases the file size. The next step configures the parameters of video/audio capture.

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Force frame rate: If you want to override the default frame rate of your input device (e.g. to reduce the size of video files and HDD/CPU load during recording), then check this box and select the desired rate in the box "Frame rate". However, some devices do not support this option. Frame rate: The desired frame rate. Audio input device: The audio source, typically coming directly from the video device. The next step will show a preview of your video input. Please click Next to record a 10-second video sequence test.

In the next step, you can select algorithms for compressing video and audio:

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Video / Audio Compressor: For best results, we recommend using the video codec DivX 5.1 (or higher), which can be downloaded for free for private use (www.divx.com) or video codec MPEG4, which may be available on your computer. If you are using MyoResearch XP version 1.06 (or earlier), you must use the DivX codec in order to view the Demo videos. MyoResearch XP version 1.07 and higher automatically installs codec MPEG4 during the installation of MRXP and the Demo videos use this codec. If audio recording is selected, the audio codec must be “PCM” (which is installed with Windows XP); otherwise, only a black screen will be displayed in MRXP instead of the video. The video/audio codec which was used to record the EMG video data must also be used to playback the video. If you plan to transfer the EMG video data to another computer for analysis, both computers must have the same video/audio codec available. If the video/audio codec is not the same for re-cording and playback, the video screen in MyoResearch XP will be black. Advanced users can modify the codec-video settings (refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for the selected codec). After recording the test video, the video is compressed using the selected codec. This test video can be reviewed using the menu controls in the test compression screen (shown be-low). Make sure you confirm and close the video setup routine by pressing Finish!

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Auxiliary Channel Settings Channel types are needed to associate measurement units and voltage conversion parameters with the devices connected to A/D input channels. This section lists all currently available channel types that can be used for connecting to auxiliary input channels (inclinometers, pressure sensors, etc.).

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Each channel type has the following list of settings:

• Type: The name of the device associated with the channel type. EMG and IEMG are reserved for EMG signals.

• +/- : If checked, the signal is displayed in bipolar amplitude range. • Amplitude: Defines the default amplitude scaling value. • Units: Defines the measurement units of the device. • #Dec: Defines the number of digits after the decimal point to display the current amplitude val-

ue. • Min Volt, Min Value, Max Volt, Max Value: Use these values to define the parameters of

conversion of the A/D input voltage to physical units of the device. • Zero: The offset correction of the input signal. This can be toggled between Manual (signals

are zero corrected by manually pressing the Zero Offset button on the Measurement Monitor), None (no correction) or Automatic (the first 30 data points are used to define and correct the zero offset at each measurement start).

• Description: A short comment line.

All channel types specified in the Auxiliary Channel Settings list are available later, in the Channels section of the Measurement Setup screen:

EMG Channel Settings This is similar to the previous section, Auxiliary Channel Settings. This section defines settings for channel types EMG and IEMG. Only the entries Amplitude and Zero can be changed. The section Units is set to "uV", the conversion parameters are set according to the pre-amplification values (please see section, Hardware Channels/Preamps) and the signal polarity (+/-) is set to bipolar for the type EMG and to unipolar for the type IEMG.

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Hardware Channels/Preamps This section displays information specific to the selected hardware device: channels enabled for measurement and channel-wise pre-amplification, which is different for EMG and auxiliary channels. This section can be edited only when the hardware device "User Defined" is selected.

Lower Operation buttons Load and Save: Hardware configuration can be stored and reloaded by using these buttons. OK: Confirms all hardware settings and goes back to the Measurement Setup Menu.

Lower main operation buttons Start The Start button enters the Measurement Monitor where signals, video and biofeedback screens are shown in real time. New If you want to make a new Measurement Configuration, click on "New", which deletes all activated measurement options and starts with a limited set of default settings. Load If a previously stored (Save As) Measurement Configuration needs to be reloaded, click Load and enter the Measurement Configuration submenu. As previously explained for the right tool bar Appli-cation and Configuration icon, Measurement Configurations are sorted in Application Groups, which are displayed in the upper section of this submenu:

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Some local buttons allow you to create (New), Edit, Duplicate, Delete or Copy Application Groups. This grouping helps you sort and manage the numerous Measurement Configurations by group. My-oResearch XP is equipped with a set of predefined Application Groups that cover a wide range of EMG application areas, like gait analysis, EMG-isokinetics, clinical symmetry tests, etc. You may want to use, modify or create your own Application Groups and Measurement Configurations. When you start MyoResearch XP for the first time, you will automatically start in the generic applica-tion group Master Mode, which is not filled with predefined configurations. At any time, you can store (Save As) your self written configurations and Load them for repeated use. Existing Configurations can be deleted or copied (e.g. to or from other versions). If you want to edit an existing configuration, use the Save As function described next. Attention: Whenever you work with configurations, first check that you are in the correct application group. The current application is always displayed in the upper section of the right tool bar. Whenever you change a setting in a given Measurement Configuration and leave the Measurement Menu (e.g. by clicking Database or after storing a record), you are asked if you want to store your changes permanently, by overwriting the existing configuration or creating a new one, based on the current settings.

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Save As Enter the Measurement Configuration submenu:

Any modified or newly created Measurement Configuration can be stored by: - overwriting the existing one - creating a new one For the latter case, enter a new configuration name in the section New configuration, which gives you the option to load (browse to a path or Paste from clipboard) a new icon (bmp, jpg, png, ico, gif format is supported). Database The Database button allows you to leave the Measurement Configuration menu and go back to the main Database screen. If you have modified any Measurement Setup setting, you are asked if you want to store the changes in the current or in a new Measurement Configuration.

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Measurement Monitor

Quick Start Tutorial The initial Measurement Monitor display provides a preview of all the signals specified in the Meas-urement Setup Menu. DC offset correction is done automatically for all EMG channels. The Preview mode can be used to adjust some of the Measurement options, such as display settings or the bio-feedback window. If Biofeedback or Video is activated in the Measurement Setup Menu, they are displayed next to the standard Signals screen. Additional tools, such as pausing and event labeling buttons, become available after the actual recording is started.

Instructions:

1. Check the quality of the EMG and other signal tracings. 2. Start the recording by clicking on the green Record button in the bottom left corner. The text

will change to Finish. Click on the same button when you are ready to stop and save the re-cording.

3. Click on the Mark button in the Main Operation Bar to identify events in the recording. Select an event label from the pull down list or type it in (can be done later).

4. If necessary, use the Tools options in the right side panel to Pause, Freeze, Start Over the recording or check the raw signal quality when you are using real-time processed signals.

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Main Screen Elements Depending on the given measurement setup configuration, the Measurement Monitor can display dif-ferent screen elements. In standard mode, only the regular Signals screen and the Status & Com-mand line are displayed. The options Biofeedback and Video load an additional window to the moni-tor. Draglines between these screen elements allow you to customize the window sizes.

Signal & Traces Screen MyoResearch XP's Measurement Monitor acts like an oscilloscope, where any incoming signal is monitored (but not recorded) without any time limitation. The muscle/channel name and the meas-urement unit are displayed in the upper left corner of each channel section. For real-time normalized EMG traces, the MVC reference values used for the amplitude normalization are shown in parenthe-ses after the measurement unit (%). The amplitude value at the cursor position is shown in the rec-tangular box to the left of each channel section. Some functions allow you to adjust or optimize the traces display:

Left panel channel selector Use the numbered buttons below All to zoom a channel to full screen size. To add more channels to this zoomed channel, hold the CTRL key on your keyboard and click again on any channel number. All displays all channels.

Left panel single channel operators The current amplitude value is displayed to the left of each channel. The red +/- buttons adjust the amplitude scale for that channel only. Each red 0 button corrects for baseline offset in that channel only

The Event Line indicates the current status of the monitor. For Multi-Activity recordings, where each activity can be performed with prepare, pausing and contraction/relaxation phases, the Event Line also previews the next phase (see Status & Command Line).

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The Time line indicates the time window used for the monitoring. Its width is defined by the Sweep Speed control in the Display Options. If you increase the time value entered here (in seconds), the signal running speed becomes slower because the displayed time window is expanded.

Local Tools Scale +/- : This control increases the amplitude display (+) by decreasing the amplitude scaling value. (-) reduces the amplitude display by increasing the amplitude scaling value. The default amplitude scaling value is defined in the Channels section of the Measurement Setup Menu. Speed +/- : This control increases (+) the signal running speed by decreasing the time window. (-) decreases the signal running speed by increasing the time window. Status & Command Line In the standard monitoring and recording mode (Continuous Traces mode of the Recording Op-tions), the Status & Command Line indicate the operational status of the measurement. For Re-cording Options 'Continuous Traces' (standard mode), Periodic Sampling and Template Training (see Recording Options) it can be: Preview: This is the oscilloscope mode which runs time-unlimited and no data recording is performed. Record: The data recording mode. Pause: Recordings can be paused (described later). Frozen: Both monitoring and recording can be stopped by the Freeze function (described later). In the Multi Activity Recording mode (compare with the Incontinence/Multi Activity), the Status & Command Line is being used as an electronic test and training assistant: Each activity is announced by its own (user defined) name, each pausing and contraction phase can receive its own command (see Activities settings tab card). For predefined time intervals, each phase duration is indicated by a bar graph counter.

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Biofeedback Windows (Master Edition only) The Biofeedback menu of the Measurement Options allows you to add a biofeedback window to the regular signals & traces screen. Bar Graphs By default, the Biofeedback window is placed next to the Signals screen element. All elements are separated by splitter lines, which allow you to re-size the window arrangement. Similar to the traces screen, the Biofeedback window has channel selector and zooming controls (see channel numbers below All and the Plus/Minus signs to zoom channel-wise). For an activated threshold range, (see Biofeedback Channel settings) the upper (red line) and lower (blue line) limit can be customized by dragging them with the left mouse button. This operation is synchronized to the threshold range in the Signals screen (see yellow colored background area).

The red line and value on top of each Biofeedback bar displays the highest amplitude value performed so far. This value is repeated in the Total max line. Total min indicates the lowest amplitude val-ue detected so far.

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Squeezing Circles This Biofeedback option is especially designed for pelvic floor dysfunctions like incontinence training for the vaginal or anal muscles. It has the same functionality as the Bar Graph option, explained ear-lier.

Real Time FFT The real time FFT calculation can be shown as three modes:

• As frequency bars • As a 2D Power Spectrum (plus frequency bar) • As a 3D Cascading Power Spectrum

All three modes have the same functionality as described for the Bar Graph mode.

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Right Tool Bar Measurement Options There is direct access to some of the Measurement Options:

• Recording Options • Display Options • Biofeedback Options

Due to technical reasons, the Real Time Processing and the Video option have no direct access from the Measurement Monitor. If they are needed, first close the Measurement Monitor and go back to the Measurement Setup Menu to activate them. Please refer to the local help section of this menu to receive more information and explanations about the Measurement Options.

Tools Pause: This function is only available in the recording mode. The recording of data is stopped, but the signal display continues to run. If pressed again, the data recording continues at that point, the data from the pausing interval are ignored. Start Over: This function restarts the recording, which is helpful in case of wrong starts or problems. The data recorded so far is deleted. This function is very helpful for Multi Activity Recording setups: when there is an invalid trial in the sequences of activities, this function allows you to repeat the invalid activity without losing the already recorded ones. Freeze: Similar to the Pause function, but instead of letting the signal run in the pause period, the signal position is frozen at that position. This function may be helpful if you want to stop the recording and, e.g. show something of interest at the current screen position. Show Raw: For Real Time Processing this button allows you to check the signal quality of the original raw signal. This function is only available in the monitoring mode.

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Template Training (Master Edition only) When the Recording Option Template Training is activated, some special controls are available in the Right Tool Bar:

Restart Template: This control will restart the signal monitoring from the beginning (the very left time Zero position). Scale: The amplitude scaling of the template can be increased or decreased. Use this function, e.g. if the amplitude level (coming from the healthy side) is too high to serve as a guideline for the affected (typically weaker) side. Smoothing: This function allows you to adjust the smoothing of the template curve. For highly vari-able recordings (e.g. EMG curves with minor smoothing), this function flattens the amplitude spikes and makes it easier to follow the template. Deviation: This function allows you to adjust the width of the template range in the given amplitude unit. A deviation value of 10 for channel type EMG means the original curve plus/minus 10 uV, which makes a template range of 20 micro volts.

These template functions are only available in the monitoring mode: once the recording is started, all buttons are dimmed.

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Main Operation Bar Record The main operation button Record starts the data recording to hard disk. When pressed, it is re-named Finish, which allows you to manually stop the recording at any time. Depending on the avail-ability of some Measurement Options, there may be more functions available, relating to this button. For the option Triggering, which is available for the Continuous Traces and Periodic Sampling mode, the Record button first activates the trigger function: it checks the designated trigger channel ("Waiting for trigger" in the Status & Command Line) and starts the recording as soon as the trigger level is reached. In the Recording Options mode Multi Activity, the Record button toggles between: Record: starts the multi activity sequence. Next: skips or ends the current activity and prepares for the next one. Continue: when the pausing between two activities is reached, this button allows you to continue with the next one. Finish: finishes the multi activity sequences and opens the Record save dialog. Zero Offset This is the global zero offset correction button. For DC shifts, a short sequence of data points (30 by default) is used to calculate a correction to zero position: any shifted zero line is removed to true zero again. For EMG type channels, this calibration is done automatically with the start of the Measure-ment Monitor. It is still possible that an EMG baseline shift is visible (e.g. the subject has not properly relaxed). Other channel types such as angle signals, TTL switch signal, etc., are also calibrated, but in the Hardware menu (available in Measurement Setup Menu) these can be excluded from the global off-set correction by switching the control Zero to "None". In addition to global offset corrections, every channel has a local offset correction switch (the red zero sign next to each channel). Mark Mark allows you to place manual event lines in the record. This can be used to place marker lines at each start and end position of a movement. The entry box Marker with its pull down list, enables the selection of user defined marker names. To create a new marker name, overwrite an existing one. It will automatically be added to the pull down list. Close Close leaves the Measurement Monitor and goes back to the Measurement Setup Menu.

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Record Viewer Menu

Quick Start Tutorial In the Database menu, any record can be loaded to the Record Viewer. It allows you to visually in-spect the recording, apply signal processing methods, physically edit channels and place markers needed for analysis. At any time during the process the record can be printed, saved as a new record under a different name (e.g. after signal processing or editing) or evaluated with Quick Analysis. Instructions

1. Inspect a record: Use the mouse, the channel operators and other available tools to zoom in-to specific signal portions, change the amplitude scaling or overlay channel and selected time segments by dragging.

2. Apply Signal Processing: Click on the Signal Processing button in the right side panel to ac-cess menu options for rectification, smoothing, filtering and amplitude normalization.

3. Analyze a record: Click on the green Analyze button in the bottom left corner to start the anal-ysis and reporting process.

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Main Screen Element The appearance of the record viewer depends on specific settings set in the Measurement Options, e.g. if a digital video was synchronized to the recording or if real-time processing was done on the data. Finally, the "Show Bars" (see next section) function adds another window, which displays am-plitude bars on the screen. Signals – Screen The standard Signals Screen is similar to the Measurement Monitor. In the upper left corner of each channel section, the channel names, channel type unit and MVC amplitude normalization (see Signal Processing) the MVC reference value is displayed. Left panel channel selector Use the numbered buttons below All to zoom a channel to full screen size. To add more channels to this zoomed channel, hold the CTRL key on your keyboard and click again on any channel number. All displays all channels. Left panel single channel operators The current amplitude value is displayed to the left of each channel. The red - and + buttons adjust the amplitude scale for that channel only. Double clicking in the left panel section will open up the Channel Properties screen:

This allows you to adjust the amplitude scaling for Raw Signals and Processed Signals. The other channel properties can be edited in the record Edit Menu of the Right Tool Bar. Markers can be placed by double clicking the left mouse button. The Markers line indicates the posi-tion and name of the markers. By moving the mouse over the Markers line, you can drag and move the marker (mouse becomes a double arrow). If you drag the marker outside the Signals screens, the selected marker is deleted.

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Local Tool Bar Scale +/- : This control increases the amplitude display (+) by decreasing the amplitude scaling value. (-) reduces the amplitude display by increasing the amplitude scaling value. The default amplitude scaling value is taken from the Measurement Setup settings specified for this record. Auto: This control automatically scales all channels to the best view. This function is helpful when you want to review a large amount of signals and you need optimal scaling for each channel type. Zoom +/- : You can zoom time segments around the current cursor position or a marked portion with the left mouse button. (+) zooms in, (-) zooms out. At the top of the Signals screen, there is a zoom indicator bar. If a portion of the record is zoomed, a white horizontal bar indicates its length in ratio to the overall record length. You can drag this bar to move the zooming window through the record. Whole: This control restores the record to the full view. Position: This control shows the actual time value at a given cursor position. You can also use this box to enter a time value and the cursor will move to that position and allow you to, e.g. place a mark-er at that specific position. If you need to place several markers at exact time positions, it may be helpful to open the marker menu, choose the method Manual/Mouse and use the Set button to place a marker at that specific time position:

Marker: The name of the current marker is shown in the entry box. If you want to rename an existing marker, move the cursor over the marker line and type in a new name. The pull down arrow will au-tomatically list all available marker names for easier or repeated selection. Set: The green Set button can be used to set a marker at the current cursor position. This function is especially helpful as the video player moves the cursor in synchronization to the video picture and you

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want to place a marker at a certain picture position.

Bar Graph Window The Right Tool Bar option, Show Bars, adds a new window element next to the regular Signals screen element:

The amplitude values at the current cursor position are converted to a bar graph diagram. This ampli-tude value is displayed below each bar; the channel number is located below each amplitude value (see the X-axis legend). The function Show channels with units allows you to select certain channel types (e.g. EMG, force, goniometer) for the bar graph display. By default, all EMG channels are displayed. Note: The above Show Bars are available in the Record Viewer. If you would like to use the biofeed-back option during data collection, the bars will appear different (as shown in the Bar Graphs segment of the Measurement Monitor section).

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Video Window If digital video was synchronized to the signal recording, the Record Viewer will automatically display the video in a video window in the top right corner:

Below the video are some standard controls to replay the video. The video picture is synchronized to the current cursor position. At any time you can stop the video player and, e.g. place a marker that relates to this video position by using the green Set button at the right end of the traces tool bar. Use this feature to, e.g. define repetition cycles or any other start and end point of an analysis interval. The right Copy icon, in the video controls, copies the current video picture to the clipboard. You can paste this picture to the patient or record comments in the Database or to any other Windows applica-tion. The video picture follows the cursor position: if you click on any specific place in the Signals screen, the video image will automatically follow and display the related picture for that position. If you zoom in on a time interval in the Signals screen, the video for only that time segment is played.

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Right Tool Bar In the top right corner of the screen, you will find the iconized Record Type box. The record type is defined by the Application Group, chosen for this record, when it was created (see Measurement Setup Menu). The default record type is called Master Mode, but at any time the Application Group (to create new records) can be changed: e.g. if gait records are measured in the application group Gait, the record type will automatically become "Gait". Record Options Each of these option menus has it’s own local help function. To access it, first open the desired op-tions menu and click on the Help button. Here you will find a short overview of the main functionality in each menu. Marker Menu The main purpose of markers is to define analysis periods for reports. Markers can be placed by three major actions:

• In Real Time, by pressing the Mark button while recording or by setting up the metronome beeper function with the Mark beep option.

• In the Record Viewer, by double clicking a signal portion or pressing the channel tools button Set.

• By using the auto marker algorithms presented in this menu.

The markers and periods system is needed to fulfill the complex task of analyzing selected signal por-tions, TTL triggered periods, timing related onsets or sub phases in gait analysis, just to name some examples. MyoResearch offers four auto marker methods to place markers in a record:

• Manual/Mouse • Steps • Min/Max by trigger channel • Rise/Fall by trigger channel

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Manual/Mouse This method has a Position box, where you can manually enter a time point in seconds to place a marker. Marker name allows you to edit a marker name for this selection. Click the blue Set button to apply your selection. Alternatively, you can minimize the Marker Menu (blue double arrow button to the right of the Cancel button), click with the mouse on any position in the Signals screen and then click Set to apply your selection. The Position box (both in the Marker Menu and the Signal Tools bar) always refers to the cursor position. Besides using the mouse click or entering position values, there are two more possibilities to move the cursor to a desired position:

• Use the left-right arrow buttons on your keyboard to move the cursor to other positions. • The video player function will automatically move the cursor synchronized to the video. At any

time point (Position), you can stop and use the Set button to define a start or end point of an analysis interval. Minimize the Marker Menu to view the Signals and Video windows:

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Steps This method is used for continuous records or signal portions, where the time domain changes of any curve parameter are analyzed in a sequence of fixed intervals (Steps). First, you need to define a signal portion in your record that you would like to be marked and analyzed by the step method:

• By default, the whole record is selected. • Mouse marked areas are recognized and the mouse mark can be used to define the signal

portion. • The entry box, Selected Interval, allows you to enter a precise start point (From) and an end

point (Length in seconds), beginning from the start point.

Step: defines the step size in seconds. Marker name: labels all step markers. Clear markers first: deletes all previously placed markers. Click the Set button, to apply your step selection.

Min/Max by trigger channel For records including an angle / goniometer / inclinometer signal, this special method can automati-cally detect the local minimums and maximums with this curve. Typically, the local events represent a start, point of return and end position within a movement sequence.

• Set markers at... can be used to specify if markers should be placed at local minimums or maximums or both.

• ...of channel defines the angle channel within the record. • Minimum amplitude: defines the minimum range between local minimum/maximum values to

be accepted as a trigger event. The default mode Auto tries to automatically check it by ana-lyzing the highest range found within the record and accepting local ranges higher than 50% of this maximum range. Manual allows you to customize the range setting to any reasonable value.

• Clear markers first: deletes the previous markers. • The entry box Selected Interval allows you to limit the auto-marking to a selected portion in

the record. Mouse marked areas are also recognized as a limit selection.

Click Set to apply your selection

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Rise/Fall by trigger channel For records including a TTL - based trigger signal (e.g. foot switches), this method is able to identify the trigger up (Rise) and down (Fall) events. There are numerous applications that use this trigger function, e.g. in gait analysis, the trigger represents the heel strike and toe off events in the gait cycle. A trigger up can be a synchronization impulse between two measurement devices (to achieve time synchronization).

• Set markers at... can be used to specify if markers should be placed at TTL Rise, Fall or both (Rise/Fall) events.

• ...of channel defines the TTL channel in the record. • Threshold has two modes:

o Relative checks the TTL range and places markers at the 50% position between the rise and fall level. This location can be customized by the controls Rise at and Fall at... between min and max (TTL level).

o Absolute takes the current amplitude values entered in Rise at and Fall at…

• Minimum amplitude: defines the range of calculating a local minimum/maximum value. The default mode Auto tries to automatically check a feasible range. Manual allows you to cus-tomize the range setting.

• Minimum (anti-rattle) duration: defines the minimum duration a TTL event needs to last to be recognized by the algorithm. This switch can help to avoid wrong marking by artifact spikes (typically spikes of very short duration). Attention: For very short trigger events like jump ground contacts, this anti rattle duration has to be adjusted to lower values!

• Clear markers first: deletes the previous markers. • The entry box Selected Interval allows you to limit the auto-marking to a selected portion in

the record. Mouse marked areas are also recognized as a limit selection.

Lower Menu Operation Buttons Ok: Executes the applied marker settings. Set: Applies the selected marker/method. The result is previewed in the Signals screen. Delete: Deletes the selected marker. Delete All: Deletes all markers in the Signals screen. Load: Loads a stored marker set. Store: Marker sets can be stored and reloaded again if overwritten by another set. Cancel: Cancels any methods and leaves the Marker Menu.

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Edit Menu Unlike Signal Processing, all Edit operations physically change the record data set and the original recording cannot be restored. Therefore, it is generally recommended to make a backup or a copy of your data first. Alternatively, save any changes done in Edit mode with the option Save as...., which allows you to create a new record file (including all your edit changes) but keeping the source re-cord in its original status. The edit operations are organized in two Tools sections: Channel and File Tools. All channel tools can be applied by channel, whereas File Tools always affect all channels (the complete file).

Channel Tools At the top of the Channel Tools box there are 3 iconized View Modes of the signals proceeding from left to right:

• Show the processed signals. • Show the raw signals. • Show both the processed and the raw signals in an overlay.

Depending on the selection done here, any channel tool operation refers to this selection. For exam-ple, to copy a raw channel to clipboard and paste it at another location, it is needed to switch to the Show raw signals mode. New channels This function allows you to create new channel lines at any location in your record.

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Insert... offers the possibility to insert Channels from clipboard or create an empty New Channel without data. Place before: can be used to define a certain location for the insertion in the channel order. Number of channels: defines the number of new channels to be inserted. Name: edits the name of the channels. Color: loads a color palette to define a trace color for this channel. Channel type: offers a pull down list of all available channel types to be selected for the new channel. Raw Signal: organizes the amplitude scaling settings for the new channel.

Units: define the physical channel unit. Resolution: the decimal value when showing the actual amplitude value. Bottom value is lowest and Top value is the highest amplitude scaling value for the Y-axis.

Delete, Copy and Paste Channels All three buttons have the same functionality: the selection of channels is done by the channel selec-tor buttons on the left side of the Signals screen (Channel selection bar). All three functions refer to this selection. As an example, if only channel #3 should be copied (to clipboard), first click on the 3 button in the channel selection bar. For multiple channel selection, press the Ctrl key on the key-board. Delete physically erases a channel. Attention: after the confirmation, which appears when leaving the record viewer mode, this data can-not be restored! Copy copies the channel data to the clipboard. This selection recognizes mouse-marked areas. Paste fills channel data coming from the clipboard to the selected target channel. When this button is pressed, a small dialog box appears prompting:

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Selecting Yes will overwrite the existing data, No will create a new interval within the existing signal and will paste the data there (original data is not overwritten, but expanded by the clipboard data. In both operations, the data are pasted at the actual cursor position.). Attention: The paste operation Yes overwrites existing data which cannot be restored. Fill Channels The Fill channel function is an editor for amplitude values: based on a mouse mark signal portion, any amplitude value can be entered.

It will overwrite the existing ones. This function can, e.g. be used to manually eliminate artifact spikes or other invalid data portions within a channel. If you double click on the current amplitude value, dis-played at the top left corner of each channel, you can enter values to modify the current amplitude value at the cursor position or a mouse marked interval. Offset Channel(s) This edit function is mainly designed for EMG signals:

Correct zero offset automatically: For shifted zero lines (zero offsets), this function corrects it by calculating the overall mean value of the raw (EMG) signal, which is typically very close to zero. Offset by manual value: For cases where the automatic correction is not satisfactory or for other analog data, the zero offset can be corrected by entering a manual correction value.

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Scale Channel(s) This function allows you to multiply the selected amplitude data of a given channel by any factor:

This function can, e.g. be used to mathematically "amplify" (scale) the signal up or scale it down to lower values. Remove All Processing Any signal processing done on the signal is removed and the original raw data is restored.

Channel Properties This sub menu is opened when you double click on any portion left of the channel Y-axis or neighbor-ing channel info & label box.

Place before: can be used to move a selected channel before another one. Use this function to reor-der channels. Name: changes the current channel name.

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Color: loads a color palette to define trace colors for this channel. Channel type: offers a pull down list of all available channel types to be selected for the new channel. Raw Signal and Processed Signal sections organize the amplitude scaling settings for the selected channel.

Units: define the physical channel unit. Resolution: the decimal value when showing the actual amplitude value. Bottom value is lowest and Top value is the highest amplitude scaling value for the Y-axis.

File Tools File Tools are not limited to selected channels but affect the whole record.

Insert Interval: adds a user-defined interval to the record, beginning at the actual cursor position. The existing data is moved to the right side of the new interval. Delete Interval: physically deletes mouse-marked intervals from the record. Attention: Once saved, the data cannot be restored. Merge Record Merge Record is a special function to add a channel from other manufacturer's measurement files. The current version is able to merge data from Skill Technologies Movement Analysis Systems (File extension *.pdp). Revert undoes all edit operations done so far. It cannot restore changes that were confirmed by the saving dialog when leaving the Edit Menu. Record Properties is an edit mode for the most important record properties:

• Record Name • Record Type

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• Channel Names • Channel Side Indicators (RT and LT)

This submenu is identical to the record edit window available in the database menu (accessible by mouse double click on the Record Info Section).

Signal Processing Menu Typically, stored EMG data is processed by several signal processing methods such as rectification, smoothing and normalization before an analysis is started (exception: frequency based analysis types). MyoResearch XP offers the possibility to perform such signal processing in real time (see Measurement Setup Menu) or post hoc, after storing the data by selecting/loading files in the Record Viewer. Any signal processing can be restored to original raw data status.

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Five Signal Processing methods, listed under Available Operations, can be loaded (Insert) in a se-quence of processing commands (Selected operations). You can create any sequence and order of processing methods and even load them several times, if needed.

Rectification This very popular processing method multiplies all amplitude values in a signal with +1, making all negative values positive, i.e. all amplitudes below the zero line become positive amplitudes. The rea-son for this operation is to achieve positive amplitude curves that allow the user to calculate parame-ters like mean amplitude, area under the curve, etc.

Smoothing Typically, for amplitude based calculations and analysis, the raw EMG is smoothed by digital filters, root mean square or moving average algorithms. The result is, non-reproducible EMG spikes are eliminated and the mean trend of the EMG enervation is used. As described previously, another ben-efit is the easier reading of EMG patterns, which is useful for clinical tests, biofeedback oriented treat-ments or trainings. The following smoothing Algorithms are supported:

• RMS: Root Mean Square • Mean: the moving average • Mean absolute: the moving average with combined rectification

Window: allows the user to define the millisecond-based window for each algorithm.

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Amplitude Normalization 5 normalization routines are available in the pull down list of the control Normalize to: 1. Manual Value: Here the normalization value can be entered manually. You can apply manual val-ues per channel (see Apply to). 2. Peak value: This is the main method of finding MVC (Maximum Voluntary Contraction) values within MVC records. The entry Window defines a window for the MVC value calculation. The mean value of this window is taken as the MVC value. An automatic algorithm calculates each selected channel separately, where the highest mean window is located in the channel and indicates the signal portion with a green color. When done, a prompt appears that asks you to Update the MVC stack. The MVC stack is an internal memory that keeps these MVC values, as long as it is filled by the next Peak value normalization operation.

When confirmed with Yes, these MVC values are available for the next normalization routine: MVC Stack (see #4). The functions Restrict calculation to... and Pick can be used to mouse mark a signal portion in the record, with the result being, MVC calculations are only performed in this marked area. This function may be helpful in measurement designs, where a MVC recording period is part of a given record, e.g. at its very beginning. 3. To Mean Value: In this normalization method, the amplitude mean value is calculated for each channel and taken as a reference value for the normalization. This type of normalization is often used in gait analysis where time normalized EMG patterns are amplitude normalized again, each to its own

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mean value. 4. MVC-Stack: This method loads the current MVC values from the stack. This can be repeated as many times as needed, e.g. normalized records and trials done after the MVC record of a subject. The MVC values remain in the stack, even if the computer is shut down. In summary, Normalize to Peak value creates MVC values, Normalize to MVC Stack loads MVC values for the normalization of other records (of the same subject). 5. Values from other records: This method accesses normalization values found or applied from this "other" record. Only records of the same subject are listed (Normalization to another subject's muscle activation would not make sense). Please verify that the proper normalization routine was performed on this "other" record (see processing history in the Database Record Info Section). Typi-cally, this is the MVC trial of one subject, which is used to calculate/find the MVC values within the maximum contraction series. If you choose a record that was not normalized by any method, this op-eration cannot be performed. The amplitude normalization can be applied to certain channel types (typically EMG) or physical chan-nel numbers. Delete and Delete all You can remove a signal processing method from the iconized list of Selected methods or delete the complete list. Limit MVC duration In some cases, it makes sense to standardize the duration of the MVC recording (e.g. when working with only one or two muscles). When checking this control, you may enter a time value in seconds to limit MVC recording to a fixed time interval.

Filtering A set of commonly used digital filters is available in this processing method: Filter: Selects the filter type: FIR, IIR, Median. FIR - Finite Impulse Response filter

Window: Number of points used to process the data. With longer windows the quality improves. Type: The filter can act as a low, high, band pass or rejecter filter. Use the Low / High frequency: controls to specify the filter range. The following FIR – filter types are available:

• Low pass • High pass • Bandpass filter

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• Rejector Windows (below frequency): sub type selection, to define the window edge fading. The following window types are supported for FIR filters:

• Lancosh • Hamming • Von Hann • Blackman • Feier

IIR - Infinite Impulse Response Filter

The following IIR filters are supported:

• Rejector Frequency: The edge Frequency can be entered in Hz.

• Lowpass and Highpass Approximation: Defines the sub type of filter: Critical Damp Bessel Butterworth Chebyshev 0.5, 1, 2 and 3

Median - Filter The median filter is an excellent spike cleaner for analog signals: it removes spikes from, e.g. force/angle curves without affecting the original signal shape. Window: Defines the amount of data points used for the filter algorithm. Preferred values are 3 and 5.

ECG reduction MyoResearch XP is equipped with a unique algorithm to detect and selectively eliminate ECG artifact spikes. The main benefit is, the original EMG power is not significantly affected, only the ECG spikes are removed. The algorithm is a combination of pattern recognition and adaptive filtering. For this feature to work properly, you need to first "mouse mark" an area in the contaminated record, where at least three ECG spikes are available on an EMG rest line or lower activity line (ECG pulse must be visible). Choose Select Interval with ECG pulse only to mark this area in your record. The quality of this "ECG cleaning" can vary depending on the EMG recording quality and artifact condi-tions. This ECG removing function can be very helpful in relaxation studies, especially where ECG spikes can greatly influence the outcome results.

Section Apply to Each sequence of selected operations can be applied to "Channel by type", e.g. for all EMG chan-nels found with the given record. Or alternatively, be restricted to "Channels by number": In this method, each channel in the lower channel list receives a check box, which must be checked, for the

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channel to be included in the selection.

Lower Operation Buttons (Delete, Load, Save) Delete: a marked method in the list of Selected Operations can be deleted from the list. Delete All: deletes all selected operations from the list. Load/Save: any sequence of Selected Operations can be stored and loaded for repeated use. To Save a configuration, give it a recognizable name, optionally load a picture icon for it and click Ok. Load will open a window showing all available signal processing configurations. Show last <X> previews: the number X in this check box, defines the number of previously proc-essed previews for this record. Each preview is shown in an overlay plot. Use this function to study and compare the effect of different processing settings:

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Right Tool Bar Elements (Remove All Processing, Configurations) Tools Below the iconized Record Type window, you will see an important function in the Tools box: Remove All Processing. This button removes all signal processing operations done in the record viewer menu Signal Processing. Configurations The configuration bars allow a direct access to all stored Signal Processing Configurations. Just click on one to load it. 4 predefined configurations are installed by default:

• Clean ECG: a processing command to remove the ECG for raw EMG records. • Load MVC: smoothes (RMS 100 ms) and normalizes the records to the MVC values loaded to

the normalization stack (see prior section). • Make MVC: finds and stores MVC values in MVC records. • RMS EMG: a standard processing that produces smoothed/rectified EMG curves, based on

RMS at 100 ms.

Feel free to add to this list with configurations customized to your own needs.

Main Operation Buttons in Signal Processing Ok: executes all Selected Operations from the list. Preview: a preview of the Selected Operations, automatically minimizing the Signal Processing Win-dow. To maximize it, click on the blue double arrow button on the right side. Up to 5 previews can be overlaid to study the characteristics of a Signal Processing method - see Show last <X> previews, (as explained on page 95). Clear previews: deletes the set of stored previews and restores the status prior to any preview. Cancel: leaves the Signal Processing menu, without executing any processing on the signals.

Quick Analysis The Quick Analysis is the "Push of a button" report. It is equipped with some basic statistic parame-ters like the mean and peak value. Additionally, the current record viewer signal image is shown in the output. By default, the Quick Analysis refers to the analysis of the complete record. For mouse marked areas, the Quick Analysis is limited to this marked portion. Signal superposition and overlay are recognized also. Experienced users can customize the contents of the quick analysis by using the Report Edit function. For more details, please refer to the chapter Report within this manual.

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Record Tools Delete Markers: The marker closest to the cursor or all markers in the mouse marked area, are de-leted. Show Bars Function: This button activates the Bar Graph Window described under Main Screen Element/Bar Graph Window. Display Options: In this sub menu, you can enable/disable the background grid and/or the zero line for bipolar signals.

Main Operation Bar Analyze The Analyze button displays the Report Selection window. All the analysis done in MyoResearch XP is organized in reports, which can contain one or more analysis frames. MyoResearch XP is equipped with a set of standard reports, one for each Application Group. Print The Print button allows you to print out (as a hard copy) any Record Viewer image. Save As... At any time, you can store marked signal portions and channels as a new record in the database. Measure Provides a direct path to the Measurement Setup Menu, if you want to continue with the next meas-urement. Database Closes the record viewer and goes back to the main Database Menu.

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Report Setup Menu (“Analyze”)

Overview: MyoResearch XP's analysis system Once a record is recorded, typically, some specific signal processings are applied to the signals. The raw EMG channels may be rectified and smoothed prior to any analysis, for example. These process-ings are done in the Record Viewer Signal Processing Menu. The quickest and easiest way to ana-lyze this data is to mouse-mark a signal portion and click on the Record Viewer "Quick Analysis". Some standard amplitude calculations are displayed, which can be modified by skilled users. The main limitation of the Quick Analysis report is that only one analysis period can be defined. Many analyses need a more complex setup, e.g. the specific selection of channels, the analysis of several periods within this record and a special method to compare the current results to results of another record. Whenever you need a more complex channel and period selection or a specific anal-ysis type (e.g. Wavelet calculation), you can enter MyoResearch's comprehensive report system by pressing the Analyze button in the Record Viewer. Here you will find numerous reports of varying complexity, sorted by application groups like Standard Analysis, Gait, Clinical Reports, etc. If a group does not fit your application area, first try the Standard Analysis group, which contains the four basic analysis types frequently used in EMG setups:

• Standard Amplitude: Standard amplitude parameters like mean value or area are calculated in user defined analysis periods.

• Frequency/Fatigue: Frequency parameters, like mean or median frequency, plus their time domain changes (slopes) are calculated in a sequence of analysis periods.

• Average Activation: Based on suitable period definitions, "up/down" or "forward/backward" cycles or gait strides with stance and swing phase are first averaged (ensemble average) and then, this averaged curve is analyzed again by diagram statistics.

• Spectrum: A specified signal interval is used to create the power spectrum curve and describe the frequency characteristics in a frequency distribution table.

Carefully study the comprehensive Report Info panels, which are available with every report and de-termine how well the report fits your needs. All reports can be customized and modified. To do so, first start an existing report, than double click on any element that you want to modify and adjust its setup, output and parameter options! Skilled users can even add completely new analysis elements to the report. When leaving the report, you will be asked if you want to keep these changes perma-nently. If you want to create a new report from scratch, click on the New button in the Report Selection Menu and define an Application group, a report name/icon, a report type and layout, info and analysis elements for this new report (see the instruction list How to create a new report). Reports can be imported or exported from other MyoResearch XP versions, using the Report copy function.

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Select Report Menu After pressing Analysis in the Record Viewer Menu, you will enter the Report Selection Menu. A register card system organizes the main application areas of electromyography in Application Groups, such as Standard Analysis, Gait, Clinical Reports, etc. In each group you will find one or more reports addressing the typical analysis needs of this group.

Skilled users can modify predefined reports, add user-defined reports to an existing application group or create new reports in completely new application groups (Button Edit and New-see next chapters). Reports can have varying complexity, especially in the way the analysis periods are defined. In the easiest case, only 1 analysis period or the whole record has to be analyzed (e.g. Feedback Training). Other reports need a complex setup to define the channel selection, the analysis periods and an op-tional comparison to other report results (e.g. Gait). To address this complexity, the Report Type can vary on four levels:

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1. Selection / Whole record: (Class 1) The whole record or the mouse marked area will be ana-lyzed. This is the easiest case!

2. One-phase periods: (Class 2) A sequence of markers or event based (defined by trigger channels) periods without additional sub phases will be analyzed.

3. Two-phase periods: (Class 3) A sequence of periods with two sub phases will be analyzed (e.g. extension/flexion, stance/swing phase, etc.). You can freely name the first and second phase (default names are Pre and Post event).

4. Bilateral analysis: (Class 4) This class is mainly designed for left to right comparison analysis in bilateral gait measurements and splits the Period definition into left and right side periods. When selected, the Report setup scheme is split into four steps: Step 1 is the selection of channels, Step 2 is the period definition of the left side periods, Step 3 defines the right periods and finally, Step 4 defines the optional comparison mode. A short settings section in the bilat-eral analysis setup allows the user to individually name each (gait) sub phase:

The report type 1, Selection / Whole record, will automatically create and enter a preconfigured re-port, assuming that the whole record, with all channels or a mouse based selection (marked area) needs to be analyzed. Report types 2 through 4 need a complex Report Setup Scheme that allows the user to define channels, analysis periods and comparison records. The default report type is specified in the Report Info panel under Report Type (the info panel may be minimized by the small blue double arrow button of the Report Info Section). In summary: Depending on the report type and its report setup type, you will enter the analysis report (class 1: no period definition/channel selection) or open the Report Setup 3 Steps Scheme (class 2 and 3: with period definition and channel selection).

Report Info Section You will find comprehensive descriptions of each report in the Report Info panel. The info section may be minimized in your software version. Click on the blue double arrow buttons of the Report Info section to maximize it. The structure of the info text is: Summary It starts with a Summary section, explaining the Purpose, previewing a report Page Sample, describ-ing the Report Type (for more details check the local Report New/Edit menu help text), the Typical Source Data and the Typical Period Definition. Application This section describes the typical use of the selected report. It explains the type of applications the report was designed for. Period Definition There are numerous possibilities to define analysis periods in a record. Here you will find a descrip-tion of the most suitable ones when using this report.

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Report Description All graphs, calculations and table are explained here. You will also find guidelines on how to interpret the findings. Links This section will give you interesting web links that may be of interest when using the selected report and application area.

Main Operation Buttons The Main Operation Buttons of the Select Report menu are: Ok: will activate the selected report and open the Report Setup 3 Step Scheme explained later. New: will create a new report. More explanations are given below. Edit: will edit the current report properties, such as name, logo and Report Type. Delete: will erase the selected report from the list. Copy: can send and pick up reports from/to other locations or directories. Browse to the target direc-tory by selecting a copy path. The two panel copy dialog will show, on the left side, all existing reports in your current version. On the right side you will see available external reports, which were previously sent or should be imported to your current version. Carefully study the comments on MyoResearch XP’s copy system (help text of Database Menu), which works the same for all data, configurations and reports: MyoResearch XP reports are always copied to or from a special 'container directory' called Noraxon Data. This container directory is automatically created whenever you copy data out of MyoResearch XP. This special directory is needed to keep the integrity of the complex database structure of My-oResearch XP. Measurement configurations, protocols and reports are copied to this container direc-tory, not only recorded data. MyoResearch data can be sent to any location or directory on your hard disk or net drive, but this container directory will always automatically be created.

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Report New and Edit Menu When clicking on New or Edit, a new menu with 3 sections will appear: Basic Settings First, you can choose or modify a picture icon for your report. Use the Browse, Paste and Delete buttons to select or delete pictures. Use the Name entry line to name your record.

Report Class Reports can have a very differing complexity in terms of period and phase definition. For example, some reports do not require any period or phase definition at all, usually because they analyze the whole record or a mouse marked area (example: Record Viewers Quick Analysis or Spectrum Re-port). Other reports, like Gait, need a foot switch triggered period definition with 2 phases (stance and swing phase) to properly analyze the gait cycle. Bilateral gait setups add more sub phases to the gait cycle. The current MyoResearch XP version offers three levels of complexity to manage these differing tasks:

1. Selection/Whole record: The whole record or the mouse-marked area will be analyzed. This is the easiest case!

2. One-phase periods: Here a sequence of markers or event based (defined by trigger chan-nels) periods without additional sub-phases will be analyzed.

3. Two-phase periods: A sequence of periods with two sub-phases will be analyzed (e.g. exten-sion/flexion, stance/swing phase etc.).

Report Info Reports can be described by info texts of various lengths. The supported format for these info panels is the html based *.chm format that is created by Microsoft's Help Workshop. For more information on this, please visit the Microsoft web page.

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Report 3 Step Setup Menu MyoResearch XP allows you to use pre-configured analysis and reporting procedures or establish your own analyses. Reports are organized in register card sections covering various application areas of electromyography. After selecting a tab section and a report, a three-step setup menu further de-fines the channels to be analyzed, the type of period definition and the optional comparison to be per-formed. Reports like Clinical Reports/Feedback skip these three steps altogether, as no further deci-sions are needed in terms of channels, periods and comparison record selection. More complex re-ports (e.g. Gait Report) require very specific selections in each step. However, each report includes an information panel with detailed instructions.

Quick Start Tutorial Instructions

1. Select a report: Select the report application group, and the desired report in this group from the list of icons, by clicking on it. Review the report description in the Report Info panel as necessary.

2. Select channels: Select channels for the analysis by their type (e.g. type "EMG" would ana-lyze all EMG channels). You can also make the selection based on channels numbers: ch1, ch2, etc.

3. Define periods: Select one of the 5 available methods of period definition. Periods are based on the area selected by dragging a mouse or markers placed manually / automatically (e.g. based on angle values).

4. Choose a comparison record: This step is optional and can be skipped. Specify what is used for comparison: - A normative database - A different channel - A different record

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Click on Next and Finish to continue with the step scheme and you will automatically reach the report.

3 Step Setup Menu Due to the large amount of reports, all available reports are structured in application groups. They can be selected by clicking on the desired register card, e.g. Standard Reports. Once you have selected and confirmed a report with Ok, you will be guided to the Report Setup Step Scheme. This setup dialog is needed to define which channels, analysis periods and comparison records (optionally) you will use for the report. Reports set to the report type "Selection/Whole record" (the report type specified in the Report Info panels and can be modified in the Report Edit menu), will skip this setup dialog because the decision of channel choice (whole record, all channels) and periods (whole record or mouse marked area) is already done. Here you will automatically enter the report. Comparisons for this record type can be performed in the report by pressing Compare in the main operation bar.

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Step 1: Channels You can select channels two ways. Either by their channel type, e.g. Channels by type EMG: all EMG channels are automatically selected - or their physical number, e.g. Channels by number 1, 2, 3, and 8. To make a selection active, activate the check box presented for each method.

Step 2: Define Periods The period definition concept is an important key point in MyoResearch XP’s analysis concept and it is necessary that you thoroughly study its functionality. It is the basis for any advanced analysis, such as creating time normalized averaged EMG patterns, time domain frequency changes, onset calcula-tions, firing orders or sub-phases analysis in gait. Due to the complexity of analysis tasks, numerous variations are necessary to allow a maximum of flexibility. The methods to create and define analysis periods are organized in 5 major groups: Manual/Mouse Here you can manually enter two time points in Period begin and Period duration or alternatively mark a signal portion in the Signals screen.

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For a better view, temporarily minimize the Report Setup Menu with the blue minimize button at the right side of the main operation bar and mark a signal portion using the left mouse button. If a signal portion was previously marked in the Record Viewer - prior to the report selection - it is automatically recognized here. Click on Set to confirm and apply your selection. The report setup dialog will be au-tomatically minimized to show the defined period in the Signals screen:

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A new Periods line will be shown below the signals: the yellow intervals indicate the Begin and the End of the analysis interval. If you move the mouse over the left or right interval edges, the regular mouse arrow becomes a double arrow and you can manually correct the interval range by the left mouse button. Please note that only one interval can be selected for the period definition method Manual/Mouse. If you need more periods to be defined, repeat the mouse mark operation or use the method By Markers/Red Line described later. If the period is placed correctly, continue with pressing Next in the minimized Main Operation Bar of the Report Setup Menu to continue with the next step (Choose comparison). Steps This method will set a sequence of equally sized periods in the whole record or mouse marked area. Typically, it is used for static holds or long sequenced activities in ergonomic setups to demonstrate the time domain changes of EMG parameters (e.g. fatigue induced frequency shift). With the entry box Steps, you can define the step interval length in seconds. Click on Set to confirm and apply your selection. The Report Setup dialog will be automatically minimized to show the se-quences of defined period in the Signals screen:

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The Periods line will be shown below the signals: the yellow intervals indicate the Begin and the End of the whole step sequence. If you move the mouse over the left or right interval edges, the regular mouse arrow becomes a double arrow and you can manually correct each step range by left mouse button. If the sequence of step periods is placed correctly, continue with pressing Next in the minimized Main Operation Bar of the Report Setup Menu to enter the next step (Choose comparison). By markers/red lines This period definition method uses marker lines placed while recording data or auto marker options in the Record Viewer. Red lines are created by, e.g. the Multi Activity recording mode (see Meas-urement Setup Menu). They separate activities from each other.

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You can place an unlimited amount of markers in any record. Typically, a valid set of markers exists when entering this Report Setup Period Definition step. If not, you can place markers manually by double clicking in any signal portion you see in the background. Depending on the Record Type (see Report New/Edit Menu), the following marker arrangements can be used for the period definition: Record Type "One phase periods": such as Symmetry, Coordination, Frequency/Fatigue and Spec-trum. Every interval: places an analysis period at every pair of markers. Every other interval: places an analysis period at every other pair of markers. Interval after marker: places a user defined analysis period behind every marker (within interval du-ration box). Record Type "Two phase periods": such as Average Activation Patterns, EMG-Isokinetics and Gait

Every interval: places an analysis period at every pair of markers. Every other interval: places an analysis period at every other pair of markers. Every interval with event: places three marker periods (start - event - end), typically used for Gait, Isokinetics, Average Activation and other cyclic 2 phases activities. Every other interval with event: places isolated three marker periods. Every other with pretrigger: places an analysis period at every other pair of markers, but also adds a pretrigger period to the analysis. Interval before marker: places a user defined period before every marker (within interval duration box).

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Interval after marker: places a user defined period behind every marker (within interval duration box), typically used for jump tests or other TTL triggered impact/reaction tests. Interval around marker: places a period around each marker (within interval duration box). This collection of markers based period definition methods covers nearly all combinations that are typically required in all types of EMG analysis. Click on Set to confirm and apply your selection. The Report Setup dialog will be automatically minimized to show the sequences of defined periods in the Record Viewer screen:

This example shows the result of the Every interval with event mode. The Periods line is displayed below the signals: the yellow intervals indicate the first phase, the blue intervals the second phase of a Record Type Periods with 2 phases. If you move the mouse over the left or right interval edge of any phase, the mouse arrow becomes a double arrow and you can manually correct each phase range by left mouse button. If you click in any period and drag it outside the Periods line, this period will be deleted. Use this function to, e.g. eliminate invalid strides in gait analysis. Attention: Carefully check the correct position of each marker and analysis period, otherwise you may receive invalid report results. If the sequence of marker/period/phases is placed correctly, continue with pressing Next in the mini-mized main operation bar of the Report Setup menu to enter the next step (Choose comparison).

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Min/Max by trigger channel Instead of using existing marker sets, MyoResearch XP can define periods by analyzing curve events. Typically, in such cases, biomechanical sensors are used to trigger the investigated movement, such as foot switches, angle or force sensors. The Min/Max by trigger channel method is designed for the analysis of angle (and to some extent - force) curves, which typically show local minimum and lo-cal maximum values.

First, select the channel that should serve as a trigger Channel. The next selection box, Threshold, has two modes. The default mode, Auto, automatically checks the difference between the highest and the lowest amplitude value found in the trigger channel and accepts all min to max ranges higher than 50% as a local event. The mode, Manual, allows you to customize the range setting between reasonable minimum and maximum values. A set of possible period arrangements between the calculated minimum and maximum events is pre-sented in the iconized list on the left side. This list changes slightly depending on the Record Type (see Report Info Panel of a selected report). Record Types with One phase periods can use other definition modes than Record Types with Two phases periods. Once you have found a suitable method, click on Set to confirm and apply your selection. The Report Setup dialog will be automati-cally minimized to show the sequences of defined periods in the Signals screen:

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This example shows the result of the Max to max with event mode. A new Periods line is displayed below the signals: the yellow intervals indicate the first phase, the blue intervals the second phase of a Record Type Two phase periods (like extension/flexion cycles). If you move the mouse over the left or right interval edge of any phase, the mouse arrow becomes a double arrow and you can manually correct each phase range by left mouse button. If you click in any period and drag it outside the Peri-ods line, this period will be deleted. Use this function to, e.g. eliminate invalid repetitions in isokinetics testing or gait. Attention: Carefully check the correct position of each marker and analysis period; otherwise you may receive invalid report results. Due to the given TTL signal quality, there is a possibility that the auto-matic algorithms fail to find a proper min/max location! If the sequence of marker/period/phases is placed correctly, continue with pressing Next in the mini-mized main operation bar of the Report Setup menu to enter the next step (Choose comparison). Rise/Fall by trigger channel A similar period definition method, like Min/max by trigger, is the Rise/Fall by trigger method. In-stead of using angle curves, rectangular TTL signals with two levels (high/low, on/off) are used as a period definition signal (e.g. done in gait analysis by using foot switches). Again, it is first needed to select a trigger channel (Set periods by channel....).

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The option, Once for each activity, restricts the period definition to only one period within one activ-ity. Recording sections are activities in a record, interrupted by the Pause or Freeze button with the recording option "Multi Activity Recording". Activities are always marked with red marker lines! The selection box Threshold has two modes: Relative tries to automatically detect every Rise and Fall of the trigger signal. Relative checks the TTL range and places markers at the 50% position between the rise and fall level. This location can be customized by the controls Rise at and Fall at… between low and high (TTL level). Absolute: takes the amplitude values, entered in Rise at and Fall at, as threshold lines and uses it for the period definition: each time the TTL signal passes the defined threshold line, it is assumed that this event can be used to define a period. Minimum (anti-rattle) duration: defines the minimum duration a TTL event has to last to be recog-nized by the algorithm. This switch can help avoid wrong selections caused by artifact spikes (typi-cally very short spikes). Attention: For very short trigger events like jump ground contacts, this anti rattle duration needs to be adjusted to lower values!

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A set of possible period arrangements between the calculated Rise and Fall events is presented in the iconized list on the left side. This list changes slightly depending on the Record Type (see Report Selection New/Edit). Record Types with One phase periods can use other definition modes than Record Types with Two phase periods. Once you have found a suitable method, click on Set to con-firm and apply your selection. The report setup dialog will be automatically minimized to show the sequences of defined periods in the Signals screen:

This example shows the result of the Fall to Fall with event mode. The Periods line is displayed below the signals: the yellow intervals indicate the first phase, the blue intervals the second phase of the Record Type Two phases periods (e.g. gait stance - swing phase). If you move the mouse over the left or right interval edge of any phase, the regular mouse arrow becomes a double arrow and you can manually correct each phase range by left mouse button. If you click in any period and drag it outside the Periods line, this period will be deleted. Use this function to, e.g. eliminate invalid strides in gait analysis. Attention: Carefully check the correct position of each marker and analysis period; otherwise you may receive invalid report results. Due to the given TTL signal quality, there is a possibility that the auto-matic algorithms fail to find a proper Rise/Fall location! If the sequence of marker/period/phases is placed correctly, continue with pressing Next in the mini-mized main operation bar of the Report Setup menu to enter the next step (Choose comparison).

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Step 3: Choose Comparison This Report Setup step is optional. You can skip it by unchecking the Enable comparison box if ac-tive or click on the lower left Finish button.

Comparisons can also be performed in the analysis report. To open the menu, check the entry box Enable comparison. A set of four major comparison methods is displayed in the iconized selection list: Compare to other records The lower control buttons "Insert", "Delete" and "Delete All" start and manage a dialog to load com-parison records to the list shown in the middle of the menu dialog. When Insert is pressed, a record selection list is displayed that allows you to insert a comparison record. Record comparison only makes sense if records of the same type (e.g. gait sequences) are compared. The check box, Show only records of the same type, pre-selects records that match the current record type. If you press the CTRL key, you can make a multiple record selection. Attention: The comparison can only work for comparison records, which have passed at least one analysis and report run of the same type, as the one currently being used. Otherwise, MyoResearch would not know the commands of which period definition method to use (e.g. where to place markers, how to use them in period definition).

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Compare Sides In records measuring both sides of a muscle group, the Measurement Setup Menu allows each mus-cle group a side indicator (LT and RT, see Measurement Setup Menu). If this comparison mode is chosen, muscles/channels of the same name but with differing side indicator RT and LT are automati-cally compared. This function works independently of the channel numbers and arrangements: all channels of the same channel name, but with LT and RT indicator are automatically compared! Compare channels in groups Like 'Compare Sides' described above, this is an internal comparison mode between channels of the same record. The comparison is arranged in neighboring groups of channels. If 1 is entered in the entry box, Compare groups of channels, it means that each group consists of one channel: group 1 is compared with group 2, which means Channel 1 is compared with channel 2. If a comparison group has 4 channels, it means that the first 4 channels (group 1) are compared to the next 4 channels (group 2). In this frequently used channel arrangement, channels 1-4 are four muscles of one side, 5-8 are the muscles from the other side. Compare in free matrix This mode has a free matrix arrangement, where any available channel can be compared to any other available channel in that record. Each column represents a report diagram. Check at least two (or more) channels (muscles) in one column to compare them in that frame. Example: if you want to compare channel 1 with channel 4 in the first frame of your analysis, click on check box 1 and 4 in the first column. Compare to normative (records) MyoResearch XP’s unique normative data system can be used to compare a current record to a nor-mative record. Normative records are usually time normalized averaged curves of single healthy sub-jects performing a repetitive sequence of the analyzed activity. To create a normative curve, the sin-gle subject first performs a repetitive sequence, then each repetition period in this sequence is aver-aged in time normalized cycles. Finally 10, 30 or more of these individual time normalized records are averaged again in MyoResearch XP’s normative database in a group or normative curve. Once done and available in the normative database, a current patient curve can be compared to this group curve to, e.g. show differences in the EMG pattern. Attention: Only records of the same type and analyzed with the same report settings can be com-pared. The selection box Normative has a pull-down list of all available normative curves available in the current project. Choose a suitable normative record from this list.

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Compare to stored periods This comparison mode allows the user to compare the current report setup results with previous ones done on the same record. The only requirement is that the previous run(s) were stored in the Report menu: based on a given period definition, when a report is created, this period definition can be stored by clicking the Store period set in the Options menu. When selected, the current period definition of this report is stored and can now be used as a comparison for future report analysis of the same re-cord. This function allows you to compare segments in a record: e.g. you can compare the averaged curve results of the first 3 repetitions with the averaged curve of the last 3 repetitions. To do so, first restrict your period definition (any method can be used) to the first 3 repetitions and create a report. Staying in report, click on Store Period Set to save this period set. Leave the report and start a sec-ond analysis (using the same record and report), restricting the period definition to the last 3 repeti-tions. On step 3, select the comparison mode Compare to stored periods, to load the previous pe-riod set and enter the report menu.

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Report Menu MyoResearch XP's analysis system offers a very powerful report generator system that allows users to customize any preconfigured report and even create their own reports. All preconfigured reports are based on the set of analysis elements listed below. By selecting any reasonable analysis element and setting it up with some specific functions, a report can be optimized for a given application. By double clicking on an existing analysis element, a comprehensive setup system can be entered. The organization is the same for all analysis elements and are described in the section Adjust settings of an analysis frame. However, most analysis elements have some specific functions that do not exist in the other elements or slightly vary in their functionality. The specific aspects of an analysis element are described in the section Description of Analysis Elements. When you are in a report, you can double click on one of its analysis elements and see the name of this analysis element in the window caption title. Below is a list of the different Analysis Elements:

- Channel Curves - Average Period - Multi-Period Analysis - Sub-period Curves - Sub-periods of Average Curves - Sub-period (Trend) Analysis - Jump Analysis - Power Spectrum - Frequency Bands - Amplitude Probability - STFT Spectrogram - CWT Scalogram - DWT Scalogram - MRA - Phase Correlation

Quick Start Tutorial MyoResearch XP provides a set of application specific reports. These predefined reports can be mod-ified to meet the needs of each user. Double clicking on any analysis frame opens a comprehensive setup menu for modifying analysis parameters and output options. The result of any analysis can be copied to the clipboard or the whole report can be exported in HTML format. Some of the reports cre-ate new curves (e.g. spectrum, average profile) that can be stored as a new "record" file in the data-base. Time normalized average curves can be averaged to create group specific normative curves.

Instructions: Review a Report

1. Right click (alternatively: click View Signals in the right tool bar) on any graph to reload it to the record viewer and Save as a separate record.

2. Double click on any analysis frame to open a comprehensive Settings menu and customize the choice of parameters and output options.

3. Any analysis element can be copied (Copy Element) to the clipboard and pasted to other ap-plications as a bitmap graph or numeric data.

4. Time normalized average curves can be grouped and stored as normative data curves (Add to normative).

5. You can Print, Reanalyze or Compare the results.

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Right Tool Bar Element Tools Zoom: Defines the report size displayed on the screen. This function supports a range, from a 2 page overview, to 200% detail zoom. View Signal: Any graph created by the report (e.g. averaged curves) can be reloaded to the Record Viewer. Here you can not only inspect single data points, but also Store this graph as an individual record at the regular database level. The main benefit of this is that the curves can be processed, compared or exported again. Copy Element: Copies any selected analysis element to the clipboard. Click once on an element to select it (the elements receive a dashed border line). Once in the clipboard, you can paste it to any other Windows application like Excel, Word or SPSS. Many applications support the paste special command. It allows you to select if you want to paste the analysis frames as a bitmap or numerical data.

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Export Report: The complete report can be exported in HTML format and, e.g. reloaded in Word or the Internet Explorer. Print Options: Loads the Windows printer setup menu. Here you can change the Output settings for your printer and, e.g. adjust the paper size. We strongly recommend switching the printer settings to Draft Printing for daily use: it significantly speeds up the printing and saves color ink.

Options Choose Report: Allows direct access to the Select Report Menu. Here you can change to a new report and apply it to the selected record. Add to normative: This function is mainly designed for time normalized averaged patterns (as avail-able in Average Activation, Isokinetics, Gait reports). You can do either of the following for any current (averaged) curve:

New: open up a new Normative record. Add: a new record can be added to an existing one. Number of points is the time normalization vector. For example, 100 points means the signal is ex-pressed in 1% data steps; the signal is 100 data points long. For more information, check the local help text of the Normative Database Menu, which is accessible through the Main Database Menu.

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Edit Layout: This function opens the Report Edit mode: it allows you to add new and delete existing elements in your report layout. Report elements are:

• Analysis Elements • Info & Multimedia Elements • Decoration & Layout Elements

For a more detailed description, start the Report Edit mode and check the local help menu.

Main Operation Buttons Print Print will send the report to your connected printer. A short dialog offers the choice of printing the Whole Report or the Current Page.

Reanalyze Reanalyze will go back to step 1 of the Report Setup 3 Step Menu. Here you can repeat and modify the selections, done in the three steps, to setup a report (channel selection, period definition, compari-sons).

Compare Compare enters step 3 of the Report Setup Menu (channel choice and period definition stays the same). You can compare your current record to previously analyzed records of the same Record Type, perform internal channel comparisons or compare the current record to a normative record. For more specific information on comparisons, refer to the local help menu.

Close Close will exit the Report and go back to the Record Viewer Menu. If you have modified any analysis or layout elements, you will be asked if you want to store these changes permanently.

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Report Edit Menu (Master Version only)

Quick Start Tutorial MyoResearch XP Master Edition allows you to create new reports and modify existing reports. Each report has three groups of elements: Analysis, Info & Multimedia and Layout & Decoration ele-ments. You can customize the existing element by double clicking on it and/or Insert New Elements in the Edit Layout mode of any report currently displayed. A comprehensive description of all Report Elements is given in the chapters listed in the following pages.

Instructions to Insert an Element:

1. Choose a group of elements. 2. Choose a specific element. 3. Define the setup options of this element.

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Adjust settings of an analysis frame All elements in a MyoResearch XP report have a settings menu that can be opened by left mouse double click: (shown for the element Channel Curves)

Typically this menu is organized in 4 register card sections:

• Analyzed Signals & Intervals • Diagram Settings • Diagram Statistics • Output Options

By going through these sections, you can customize the analysis frame to your needs. The contents of each analysis settings section can vary from analysis element to analysis element. Some functions are common for most of them and are described later. Some specific analysis elements (e.g. wave-lets) have specialized setting sections.

Analyzed Signals & Intervals As a first step, adjustments can be made that address the selection of channels and their intervals (activities, phases):

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Restrict all calculations to activity: This control is designed for a Multi-Activity recording (see Re-cording Options in Measurement Setup Menu) such as incontinence protocols. All activities found in the current record are listed in the pull-down list and can be selected for the restriction. Restrict all calculations to phase: This control is designed for reports with a Report Class Type 2 Phase periods (see Report Setup Menu). The current analysis can be restricted to any of the listed phases. For example, for an isokinetics extension (phase 1) and flexion (phase 2) record, the analysis can be restricted to the extension phase. Use raw signals: Typically, biomedical signals such as EMG, undergo signal processing before any analysis. Some cases and conditions require you to return to the raw status. When activated, this analysis frame omits all previous processing done on the signal and refers all calculations to the raw signal status.

Diagram Settings Here you find basic settings specific to the selected analysis element, e.g. the way the inter-period space is displayed in the Channel curves element, which parameter in the Multi Period Analysis element is selected or if/how the time normalization technique in the Average period element is ap-plied.

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Diagram Statistics All analysis elements that create a new diagram or graphs (e.g. an average curve) can receive dia-gram statistics.

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The statistics parameters are sorted into 5 categories:

• Amplitude: amplitude based parameters like Area, Mean, Peak, Input% value. • Frequency: frequency based parameters like Median/Mean/Total Power, Zero Crossings. • Slope & Variability: tendency parameters like slope, intercept, "Change" values and coeffi-

cient of variability. • Sub-period: parameters that are based on threshold settings like Average Mean and Peak,

Averaged Time Before/After Peak. • Template Training Errors: special error calculations developed for Template Training records • Timing: period duration.

Some analysis elements only offer a partial selection of these categories (e.g. frequency parameters from time normalized curves do not make sense). Other categories are specific to a certain element and can only be found here (e.g. Template Training Errors).

Output Options All settings affecting the output presentation of an analysis frame are managed in this section. First, the basic "output" type can be defined by the iconized list on the left. The number of listed items de-pends on the analysis elements and its settings.

In general, analysis results can be presented as a curve graph, a histogram graph or as a parameter table. If diagram statistics are defined, they can be presented as histograms or tables, with or without the main diagram. The way these options are presented in the Output Options menu differs from analysis element to analysis element, but a general guideline for these options is:

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Graph: The data results are presented as a line/traces graph. If the Diagram Statistics are defined, they are presented next to this diagram. Table: The data results are presented as numerical values in a table. Histogram: The data results are presented as histogram bars. Statistics table/histogram: Only the Diagram Statistics values are shown in a table or histogram. Common Settings Label manually/Label text: A user-defined title can be added at the top of the analysis output frame. Header Font: Defines the font type and size of the frame title. Font: Defines the font type and size of all text signs inside an output frame. Height: Defines the space given to this element for a paper report. If not placed in a Splitter (see Re-port Edit Menu, Layout & Decoration Elements), an analysis frame automatically receives all the space between the left and right paper margin, but the height can be freely adjusted. Increase height if space available: The height of an analysis frame is automatically increased if ad-ditional space is available on the output sheet. Show phases separately: This selection is important for all reports analyzing subphases within global phases, e.g. gait or bilateral gait. Within the global gait cycle, the subphases stance and swing phase are identified. In bilateral gait, more subphases are added, such as Load, Single and Pre-Swing. If Show phases separately is activated, these subphases are displayed below the curve diagram:

Averaged Periods

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Curve settings These settings vary depending on the output style selection (graph, histogram, table). Show SD for: This selection box defines if a standard deviation range (e.g. for averaged periods) is shown behind the signal (+/- 1 SD as a colored area). For a record or channel comparison, you can choose from the pull-down list if this SD range is displayed for the current or the compared signal. Channels in: The output option Table can be arranged so the individual channel data runs in either columns or rows. The latter option is only feasible for small amounts of data because the physical paper size limits the number of columns available. For column arrangement, the report activates an automatic page return if the data does not fit on one page. Show regression line: A thin red line is displayed in the output graph (e.g. Multi Period Analysis) to indicate the tendency of data. Connect centers of samples: If activated, the data point is centered in the period interval (e.g. in a Parameter Trend shown as a graph, each data point (sample) is located in the middle of the period and connected with a linear line. Show markers, Period phases, Activities: Draws the marker lines, the period and activities bars in the graphs or below the X-axis of the Graph Output. Draw time line: Adds a time-point or period indicator line to the output tables. Y scale: Defines the Y-axis scaling. Default keeps the original channel amplitude scaling values of the Record Viewer, Auto presents each individual channel in its best amplitude scaling (the option Global scale must be turned off) and Manual allows you to manually enter Min and Max values for un-normalized channels (units) and normalized channels (%). Global scale: Forces you to scale all channels of the same channel type (e.g. all EMG channels) to the same value. This is done so the highest amplitude in the set of channels is not cut off. Statistics settings For defined Diagram Statistics, the graphical presentation can also be customized: Space between histograms: Defines the empty space between each statistics histogram graph. Show SD (standard deviation): Adds an SD indicator on top of each statistics bar. Draw difference: For a record or channel comparison, the difference of each channel parameter be-tween these two records is calculated and presented: Three formulas are supported in the pull-down list. The difference is calculated: - in % of the larger value - in % of the first value - in % of the second value

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Description of Analysis Elements MyoResearch XP is equipped with a set of analysis processors, which cover all commonly used EMG processing. Typically, an analysis element is organized into 4 register card sections:

• Analyzed Signals & Intervals • Diagram Settings • Diagram Statistics • Output Options

The settings system is described in detail, in the chapter “Adjust settings of an analysis element”. These processors create analysis frames for the report pages and you can freely combine them to a self-written/designed report. Analysis frames can be loaded as many times as desired, e.g. you can repeat the same analysis but with modified settings.

Channel Curves This element is designed to show the record viewer screen with its channel curves. It can be used as documentation of the recorded signals, the marker and period selection and the processing, done prior to analysis.

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Depending on the Output options settings, Markers, Activities (recording portions interrupted by the Pause, Beeper function or the Multi Activity recording) and selected analysis Periods are shown below the channel curves. In the tab section Analyzed Signals & Intervals of the Report Element Setup, you can restrict the curve graph to certain activities or periods or choose between raw or proc-essed data display. In the settings section Diagram Settings, you will find a pull down list (Show and analyze...) with three different view and analysis modes: 1. Whole record, ignore placed periods This selection creates a complete picture (like a screen shot) of the record, showing all periods and activities:

This example shows a test signal with three selected periods (yellow bars in the Periods line). The total minimum and maximum values are outside the yellow analysis periods. A diagram statistics, calculating the Minimum and Maximum amplitude value, is activated (see tab section three Diagram Statistics in the Report Element Setup). These diagram statistics refer to the Show & Analyze selec-tion 'Whole Record' and show the outside of the analysis periods. Use this option if you want to add overall documentation and statistics to your report that ignores any period definition. Example: origi-nal recording of a gait trial, in the gait report, calculating the averaged curves of selected strides (peri-ods). 2. Complete interval containing all placed periods In this mode, the channel curves are shown from the first period or marked area, to the end of the last period or marked area - record portions before and after the selected analysis area are discarded.

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Same test signal as shown before! But now, the portions before the first and after the last periods are eliminated. Use this option if start and end portions of a recording are not needed for documentation and diagram statistics. 3. Periods without inter-period space Only those portions, which are defined as analysis periods, are shown. In this mode, the analysis pe-riods sections are 'melted' to one continuous curve:

Again, the same test signal as above is used. All portions outside the yellow analysis periods are cut away; the statistics only refer to the remaining analysis periods.

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Diagram Statistics As previously shown in the test signal, you can load Diagram Statistics to the output graph. The se-lection includes amplitude, frequency parameters, slope & variability, sub-period, error calculations and timing parameters:

Click on Insert or Delete to customize a given selection of statistics parameters. Diagram Statistics - Available Calculations Amplitude Area: the integral for the selected interval. Mean: the mean value. Minimum: the lowest value. Maximum: the highest value. Peak: the highest amplitude value ignoring plus/minus polarity. Input % : the percentage value of each channel in ratio to the summed amplitude values of all chan-nels (=100%).

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Frequency

Median Frequency: the frequency that divides the Total Power spectrum into two equal areas. Mean Frequency: the mean value of the Total Power Spectrum. Total Power: the frequency distribution graph based on the Fast Fourier Transform calculation. Zero Crossings: the number of zero turns of the bipolar EMG signal, divided by 2. Slope & Variability

Variability: the variability of data around the mean value of the selected analysis period. Slope and Slope correlation: the regression coefficient of the regression line over all data points. Can be set to the -Whole Interval: the selected analysis period. -Max Increase: for a user-defined window, which means the steepest increase in a certain signal portion. -Max Decrease: for a user defined window, which means the steepest decrease in a certain

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signal portion. Intercept: the point where the regression line crosses the Y-axis. Change of parameters: is the difference between any user defined amplitude or frequency parameter of two analysis intervals. The entry Duration of the compared interval defines the duration of the first and last section in the selected analysis period. Sub-period Based on criteria defined in the entry line Thresholds, certain amplitude bursts (active EMG portions), local peaks and time before/after peak durations can be calculated. The Threshold criteria can be defined by an automatic algorithm that is able to detect local signal Rise and Fall portions. To avoid short spikes or artifacts that affect the calculation, a Minimum (anti-rattle) duration can be defined:

Av. Mean: This is the mean amplitude value of the active EMG portions. Av. Peak: This is the average value of all detected local peaks. Av. Time before Peak: The average duration needed to let the signal increase to the local peak. Av. Time After Peak: The average duration needed to let the signal decrease to the rest level.

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Template Training Errors

These error calculations are designed for Template Training sub-periods. The formulas used for a calculation are shown in the parameter icon. Constant error: Constant Error is the average difference from the template: mean of (signal[i]-template[i]). If it is negative, the patient is less than the template; if it is positive, the patient is above the template. If it is about zero, the patient is balanced: sometimes he is higher, sometimes he is low-er. Absolute error: The same as Constant Error, but the absolute difference is taken: mean of rectified (signal[i]-template[i]). The result is always positive. It does not show whether it is below or above, but it shows how far away the patient is from the template. Variable error: Calculates the square root from the following difference: mean squared difference minus squared mean difference. It shows how large the non-constant component of the error is. Total error score: The square root from the sum: squared constant error plus squared variable error. The selection Parameter defines the parameter on which the error calculations are performed. Duration Duration consists of only one calculation, which specifies the time duration of the selected analysis interval.

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Output Options tab The Output Option tab offers numerous settings to customize the output presentation of the Channel Curves element. Please refer to the explanations for Output Options in the previous chapter 'Adjust settings of an analysis frame'. The Record Viewer element Channel Curves is used in many of Noraxon's preconfigured reports, e.g. the Standard Analysis Report.

Multi Period Analysis This element allows you to select one specific analysis parameter and calculates it for every defined analysis period.

E.g. if you have defined 10 analysis periods (as shown above) and you want to calculate the amplitude mean value for every period, choose Amplitude / Mean in the Diagram Settings section of the Re-port Element Setup menu. These groups of parameters are supported:

• Amplitude • Frequency • Slope & Variability • Timing

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Only one parameter can be defined for this analysis frame, but you can load it to your report as many times as needed. You can load a statistics parameter for the diagram (Diagram Statistics) and pre-sent the results (Output Options) as a histogram graph, trend line or parameter table.

In this example, the histograms of the diagram shown above are converted to the output mode Graph and the diagram statistics Mean and Maximum amplitude value are loaded. The same data can also be displayed as, e.g. a parameter table:

Use these Output Options to create the best fitting result for a report. You can load the report ele-ment Multi Period Analysis as many times as you need to (like all other report elements) and display the same analysis result in different output styles. The analysis element Multi Period Analysis is used in many of Noraxon's preconfigured analysis reports, e.g. in the Standard Analysis Report.

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Average period This analysis element creates an average curve of all selected periods. This can be One phase peri-ods or Two phase periods (like gait, stance - swing phase), depending on your Report Class selection (see Report Setup Menu) and Period definition.

This average curve was created by a record measuring the knee extension (first phase) and knee flex-ion (second phase) on an isokinetics machine:

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Based on Marker lines placed within the Record Viewer, the Period Definition in the Report Setup Step Scheme is set to Markers/Red Lines and Every interval with event. This period definition cre-ates two phases (up and down, forward and backward, etc...) which are indicated by yellow (first phase) and blue (second phase) bars below the curves. In the Diagram Settings section of the report element setup menu, you can enable or disable the time normalization for the period averaging. A) Enable Time normalization Size of the average curve: Manual loads another entry box, Manual size, where you can enter the amount of data points used to present the data (typically 100 points, 1 point equals 1 percent step within the time normalized cycle). Shortest period: first checks the shortest of all periods and defines its data length as the time frame for the other periods (longer periods are shortened, shorter ones are lengthened). B) Disabled Time normalization Duration of a point: In the option Auto (default), one original data point is one data point of the aver-aged curve. The option, Manual, allows a smoothing of data: If you enter a value in the entry box Manual duration, the mean value of this interval is taken as one data point in the average curve. In the tab section, Diagram Statistics, you can load amplitude, slope & variability and timing related statistics parameters of the average curve. The Output Options allows you to select several output styles like Graph or Table, with or without sta-tistics. The analysis element Average Period is used in many of Noraxon's preconfigured analysis reports, e.g. in the Average Activation Report.

Sub-Periods Curves Introduction This report element is one of the most complex analysis processors in MyoResearch XP’s report sys-tem and it needs to be studied carefully to used correctly. Unlike regular analysis periods, which are defined by, e.g. marker lines or TTL signals, sub-periods are found within a certain analysis period and defined by channel specific criteria. Analysis periods have global marker lines which are identical for all channels in a record, whereas sub-periods have local marker lines which vary from channel to channel, depending on the channel specific amplitude characteristics. Within a global analysis period, sub-periods can be defined by Threshold values, ranges by Templates (see Template Training Re-cording mode) or Biofeedback Ranges (see Biofeedback measurement option).

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The main analysis idea of all applications is:

• when: onset, firing order... • how long: ergonomics reports, biofeedback… • how much: ergonomics, biofeedback...

…is the EMG of a muscle or signal in, above or under a certain threshold range or value? Timing pa-rameters are the main focus of analysis. Graphical Presentation of Sub-periods Based on, e.g. a mouse marked area, the interval between two markers or the interval after a TTL marker line, a global analysis period is shown together with its sub-periods:

Based on the regular period definition in Report Setup step 2, the global analysis period is indicated by a yellow bar in the Periods line below the graph, the sub-period (based on local threshold criteria) is shown as a pink bar in the Sub-periods line and the horizontal threshold line is drawn as an orange line. Whenever the signal passes the threshold line, a purple (local) channel marker is set. As with the other report elements, diagram statistics, e.g. timing parameters, can be loaded and are shown as bars on the right side. The setup menu of the Sub-period Curves Element has a special tab section called Sub-period Set-tings, which allows the user to setup the threshold criteria for the analysis:

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As previously mentioned, 5 basic methods are supported, which will be explained in more detail in the following chapters: Manual Sub-periods The first entry section Thresholds can be set to Range or Value. Depending on this selection, Min and Max amplitude values can be entered to define a threshold range or a fixed value for a threshold line. The graph shown above is set to a fixed (orange) threshold line. A threshold range is indicated by a yellow background area:

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The Minimum sub-period duration (MSD) is an important selector that needs to be carefully ad-justed depending on the signal characteristics. Its duration defines a time period immediately after the first threshold turn of the signal, and other threshold turns are ignored. Example: a first signal thresh-old turn up, defines the onset of an activity and the MSD is set to 0.01 ms. This means that any other threshold down / up event is ignored for that duration and does not create a threshold offset and/or a new onset. This function can be used to avoid the problem of single EMG spikes (within e.g. raw sig-nals) or artifacts starting or stopping a sub-period. The Set sub-period section varies with the selection of the Threshold entry (Range or Value) and can be set to: Above threshold: the signal exceeds the threshold range or line (colored in red). Below threshold: the signal falls below the threshold range or line (colored in blue). Inside threshold: the signal stays inside the threshold range (colored in green).

Each sub-period type can specifically be named with the entry line Name. Sub-periods by N Times SD This mode is operated like the Manual Sub-periods mode. The main difference is the definition of the threshold. This sub-period definition mode uses a multiple factor of the standard deviation (SD) of a certain signal portion as threshold criteria. The entry Calculate SD in interval ... after trigger de-fines the signal portion used for the SD calculation. If, e.g. it is set from 0 to 0.1 sec, the signal por-tion from the beginning of the (global) period to 100 ms is used. Typically, the EMG baseline (with relaxed muscles) is used to determine the SD.

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As in the Manual Sub-period method, a threshold line or a threshold range can be defined. The en-tries Min, Max or Value of ... times SD can be used to define the SD multiplication factor. A popular value for a fixed threshold line is, e.g. 3 times SD of the relaxed EMG baseline. Be aware that today's EMG amplifiers show much better (less noise) EMG baselines and much higher multiplication values, e.g. up to 5 to 8 times are needed to create a stable result. Together with the MSD (see mode Manual Sub-periods), this multiplication factor needs to be balanced to fit to your signal quality and character-istics. Sub-periods by peak Less popular, but much more stable, is a threshold criteria based on the local amplitude peak value. The entry line Search for peak can be set to Within the period, which means the local peak in the selected analysis period is taken. Alternatively, it can be set to Within record, which means the peak of the whole record (ignoring the selected period) is taken.

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Peak interval length allows an adjustment of the peak value definition. Usually, a single data peak point will not give stable results because EMG has too many non-reproducible signal spikes. By en-tering a time duration, the mean value of this Peak Interval length is taken as a peak reference and may produce more stable findings. All other setup options are the same as the ones explained in the Manual Sub-periods mode. Feedback Sub-periods For measurements recorded with a biofeedback window (see Measurement Setup Menu, Measure-ment Options), the threshold range settings used for the biofeedback training are stored together with the record. This biofeedback range can be used as threshold range for the sub-periods analysis:

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Like the other Sub-period definition modes, the analysis can include sub-periods Below (blue col-ored), Inside (green) and Above (red) the threshold and can receive a user defined text label. The Minimum Sub-period duration is a time interval immediately after a sub-period begins and any other threshold turns are ignored (see MSD in Manual Sub-periods).

Template Training The sub-period mode Template Training is designed for the analysis of records measured in the Template Training Recording mode (see Measurement Setup, Recording options). Typically, tem-plates are created by signals from other records, e.g. the patient has to keep the EMG activity of his injured muscle within the template range of the healthy EMG innervation. The mode is operated like the Feedback Sub-periods mode.

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Sub-period calculations in Diagram Statistics The Sub-periods curves element has a special tab section in the Diagram Statistics, called Sub-periods:

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It is a special set of analysis parameters developed for sub-period analysis calculations: Onset Time: is the time from the beginning of the global analysis period to the beginning of the first sub-period. Offset Time: time from the beginning of the global analysis period to the end of the first sub-period. Onset parameter: refers to the onset sub-period itself and allows the user to select a calculation pa-rameter for it. The Mean, Maximum, Minimum, Area, Peak and Duration of the sub-period can be cal-culated. Reaction parameter: refers to the reaction period, which is the interval between the beginning of the analysis period and the first onset event. The Mean, Maximum, Minimum, Area, Peak and Duration of the sub-period can be calculated. Conduction velocity: by entering a Distance value, the velocity is calculated until the EMG responds to an external stimulus. Firing order: based on the sub-period settings, the firing order of EMG curves is calculated for all selected channels. Attention: These calculations only create reasonable results if the sub-period definition is set to a fixed threshold value and only the Above sub-period is selected (see tab section Sub-Period settings). Amplitude and Timing calculations in Diagram Statistics The other available calculations, Amplitude, Template Training Error and Duration, can be used for both fixed threshold lines or threshold ranges. For threshold ranges, each calculation parameter is shown for the In, Above and Under threshold sub-period (see e.g. Feedback sub-period screen shown previously). For Amplitude and Timing parameters, several selections can be adjusted for the calculation, which is important to check if several sub-periods occur in one analysis period:

• Total curve, ignore all sub-periods: this mode calculates the selected parameter by analyz-ing the whole record.

• Average of all sub-periods: this mode averages the selected parameter over all sub-periods. • Sum of all sub-periods: this mode sums the selected parameter over all periods. • Sum of all sub-periods, % of total: this modes expresses the selected parameter as a per-

centage value of the overall sum for this parameter, e.g. the percent of time (duration) spent in, above and under a threshold range, in reference to the total time of the analysis period (100%).

Template Training Error Calculations in Diagram Statistics These error calculations are designed for Template Training sub-periods. Constant error: Constant Error is the average difference from the template: mean of (signal[i]-template[i]). If it is negative, the patient is less than the template; if it is positive, the patient is above the template. If it is about zero, the patient is balanced: sometimes he is higher, sometimes he is low-er. Absolute error: The same as Constant Error, but the absolute difference is taken: mean of rectified (signal[i]-template[i]). The result is always positive. It does not show whether it is below or above, but it shows how far away the patient is from the template. Variable error: Calculates the square root from the following difference: mean squared difference minus squared mean difference. It shows how large the non-constant component of the error is. Total error score: The square root from the sum: squared constant error plus squared variable error. The selection Parameter defines the parameter on which the error calculations are performed.

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Sub-periods of Average periods This report element combines the Sub-period Curves analysis explained in the previous chapter with the period averaging functions of the Average Period element (see Average Period intro). The opera-tion of all element setup functions is identical to the Sub-period Curves element.

As explained in detail in the previous chapter, the threshold definition for the sub-periods requires proper selection and balancing of the mode (by manual value, by SD, by local peak), its settings (fac-tor of SD, % of peak etc.) and the MSD factor (minimal sub-period duration). In the Diagram settings tab section, the time normalization for the period averaging can be switched on or off. The Diagram Statistics tab section supports the sub-period timing parameters, which were explained in the previous chapter:

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Sub-period (Trend) Analysis This report element supports the same functionality as the Sub-periods curves element, but it allows a repeated analysis of sub-period timing analysis parameters. Unlike the Sub-periods curve ele-ment, which calculates only the first onset, offset or firing order of one global analysis period, the Sub-period Trend Analysis element allows a trend analysis of timing parameters for many periods in one record (comparable to the Multi period analysis element described earlier in Multi Period Analysis section). Within each analysis period, one sub-period can be determined and analyzed by a set of sub-period timing parameters:

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This is a record viewer image (created by the element Sub-period curves) of a record containing 8 global periods (see yellow bars in the Periods line). By applying a threshold criteria (3 times SD), 8 sub-periods are found (see pink bars/markers in the Sub-periods line). The Sub-period trend analysis element can calculate the timing parameters of each sub-period and, e.g. show the results in a trend table or diagram:

In the example shown above, the Onset time of each sub-period is listed in a parameter table with mean statistics (right diagram); the Offset time is shown as a histogram bar with regression line and

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mean statistics (see Output options of the report element). The timing parameter for the Sub-period Trend Analysis is selected in the element setup tab section Diagram Settings:

The following time parameters are supported: Onset Time: is the time from the beginning of the global analysis period to the beginning of the first sub-period. Offset Time: time from the beginning of the global analysis period to the end of the first sub-period. Onset parameter: refers to the onset sub-period itself and allows the user to select a calculation pa-rameter for it. The Mean, Maximum, Minimum, Area, Peak and Duration of the sub-period can be cal-culated. Reaction parameter: refers to the reaction period, which is the interval between the beginning of the analysis period and the first onset event. The Mean, Maximum, Minimum, Area, Peak and Duration of the sub-period can be calculated. Conduction velocity: by entering a Distance value, the velocity is calculated until the EMG responds to an external stimulus. Firing order: based on the sub-period settings, the firing order of EMG curves is calculated for all selected channels. Once the parameter is selected, the threshold criteria for the sub-periods must be defined in the tab section Sub-period Settings:

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The functionality of the setup section is identical to the one explained in the report element Sub-period Curves. Carefully study the explanations given there before you continue reading these instructions. In summary, one of the 5 supported threshold modes (Manual Sub-periods, Sub-periods by N Times SD and Peak, Feedback sub-periods and Template Training sub-periods) and its settings have to be selected. Depending on the signal characteristics, the threshold level and the Minimal sub-period du-ration (MSD) have to be balanced. Trend analysis of the timing parameter is typically applied to threshold lines, not ranges. The switch, Below Threshold, should be unchecked to allow the calcula-tion of onset parameters. We strongly recommend testing any given sub-period setting in the Chan-nel curves element, which can show the location of each sub-period. This allows a graphical control of each setting. Once a reasonable result is found, the same settings should be applied in the Sub-period settings of the Sub-period Trend analysis element. Unlike the Channel Curves element, the Sub-period Trend analysis element can repeat the analysis for each period in the record. The trend diagrams and tables can receive mean statistics. The setup tab section, Diagram Statistics, supports trend, "Amplitude" parameters (the trend result data are considered as a new result signal) and Slope & Variability calculations:

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As shown above, the Output options allow the user to select different styles of data output presenta-tions.

Jump Analysis The Jump Analysis element is able to detect and analyze jump phases based on contact or vertical ground reaction force signals. The element supports calculations on multi-period definitions. The fol-lowing example shows the contact time and jump height analysis of a sequence of 4 drop jumps plus a diagram statistics calculating the mean, peak and standard deviation for these 4 jumps:

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To do a proper calculation, these signals need a certain polarity and order. For the vertical force sig-nal, the first landing impulse must increase the amplitude (plus polarity for increasing force). For con-tact signals, the trigger level must go up (Rise event). The algorithm is preconfigured to the following order of signal events:

• The first increase of impulse or TTL-Rise is considered to be the first ground contact of a jump.

• The first decrease of impulse or TTL-Fall is considered to be the take off from ground. • The second increase of impulse or TTL-Rise is considered to be the second landing (after the

jump). • The phase between the first decrease of impulse or TTL down and the next impulse increase /

TTL - Rise is considered to be the flight phase. • Any other signal event right after this sequence is ignored by the algorithm.

This order of signal events is illustrated by the following 2 examples: For a drop jump on a force plate:

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For a drop jump on a contact plate or on foot switches:

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In squat and counter movement jumps, the subject is already standing on the force plate or contact plate, which means the signal is already "increased" (force) or "high" (contact). To ensure that the algorithm works for all jump classes, the first force decrease or TTL-Fall is ignored. In summary, the calculations of jump parameters always start with the first trigger signal increase or Rise within the selected analysis period. To correctly calculate the jump parameters, some specific setup settings have to be defined. In the first register card section Analyzed Signal, the trigger channel for the jump event has to be defined under Channel:

The Rise at and Fall at entry lines define the position of the jump marker in the Rise and Fall event. Force signals, even TTL contact signals, need a few milliseconds to change their level. The percent-

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age values define at what percent of Rise and Fall within the trigger signal the jump calculations are applied. The Minimum (anti-rattle) duration can be used to avoid that short spikes or artifacts trigger the jump event. Example: a value of 0.005 s means that the trigger signal has to be at least 5 ms above or un-der the defined percentage level to be accepted as a trigger signal. The next step of the setup procedure Diagram Settings defines the jump parameter that will be calcu-lated:

Contact Time: The duration of the first landing, which is the period between first TTL increase/rise and decrease/fall event. The contact time cannot be calculated for squat and counter movement jumps because the subjects start from a contact position. This is only meaningful for reactive jumps like drop jumps! Flight Time: The duration between the first and the second landing, which is the period between the first TTL decrease/fall and the next increase/rise event. Jump Height: Calculated on the basis of flight time, using the formula: g /8 x t^2, where g is the earth acceleration and t is the flight duration. This calculation is only valid for vertical jumps, assuming that both landing positions are identical. The Diagram Statistics tab section supports Amplitude and Slope & Variability parameters for re-sulting data of jump sequences:

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Power spectrum You can analyze the power spectrum (based on the Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) algorithm) of a selected period or record and display it in a report graph.

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In the report element setup section, Analyzed Signals & Intervals, you can limit the calculation to certain activities, phases and channels. A very important entry box is Use raw signals, which forces the analysis to use the raw data; it does not matter what kind of signal processing was performed prior to analysis. This switch has to be turned on if the power spectrum element is combined with other analysis elements that need processed data (typically amplitude calculations). It also has to be turned on if you want to analyze the signals which were optimized by certain signal processing routines (e.g. ECG removing). In the Diagram Settings section, you can define the FFT Window length and Limit the Frequency band between a Minimum and Maximum frequency. The Output Options allow you to present the data as a graph or as a data table (see Output Options in the chapter Adjust settings of an analysis frame).

Frequency bands Besides showing and analyzing the power spectrum image, it may be of interest to calculate the fre-quency distribution in selected band steps. This analysis element calculates the power in user defined band steps:

In the Report Element Setup section, Analyzed Signals & Intervals, you can limit the calculation to certain activities, phases and channels. As in the Power Spectrum analysis element, a very important entry box is Use raw signals, which forces the analysis to use the raw data; it does not matter what kind of signal processing was performed prior to analysis. In the Diagram Settings tab section, you can define the total band by entering the desired ranges in the From and To boxes; Band defines the width of the band steps. Typically, the results are pre-sented in a parameter table (Output Options); alternatively, you can show them as a histogram or line diagram.

Amplitude probability This analysis element calculates the percentage distribution of amplitude increments for a given anal-ysis time. The X-axis shows the amplitude increments in the given channel unit, e.g. micro volts for EMG channels; the Y-axis shows the distribution in percent. If you see high bars at the left side, this means the lower amplitudes appeared with a higher frequency, i.e. more often, than the higher ampli-tudes.

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The Diagram Settings section provides several options to adjust the analysis: Resolution: Here you can define the width of the amplitude increments. Example: a value of 50 (channel units) means that, for EMG type channels, each 50 micro volt segment makes one bar/value. Ignore durations below ... percent from total time: This function allows you to define a minimum duration of time that the amplitude has to stay in a certain amplitude increment to be accepted for the analysis. This function avoids short spikes, e.g. at high amplitudes, that create too wide a range within the X-axis scaling. Use RMS ... of each: If this option is activated, the RMS EMG of user defined time intervals (...of each ...s) are used to calculate the distribution. This RMS calculation is done in addition to any signal proc-essing done prior to report analysis. If you want to perform the amplitude probability analysis with only one RMS processing, as specified here, please use the raw data. Output units Percent of the analyzed time: normalizes each value to the overall time spent in the selected time period. Seconds: counts the real time in seconds. Counts: if the Use RMS option is disabled, counts means all data points found in one amplitude in-crement. If the Use RMS option is enabled, counts means the amount of time intervals, specified for the RMS calculation. Typically, data is shown in a histogram graph, but the Output Options also allow you to present the result as a line graph or data table. ../../../../../../../../Anwendungsdaten/Microsoft/Online Help/Online Help 1.04/Report Edit 1.04/repedit.html - Top

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STFT spectrogram In Fourier transformation, the sine curves go from the beginning to the end of the analyzed interval, so the result shows how active each frequency component is in the entire analyzed signal, but it does not tell anything about where this frequency component was active in the signal. The Short-Time Fourier Transform (STFT) was introduced as an easy method of localizing frequency component activities. It is utilized by simply taking the Fourier transform periodically in short intervals. The result gives an overview of the dynamics of the signal spectrum. The report element STFT Spectrogram calculates the power spectrum, using a fixed window in 50%-overlapped steps. The spectrum generated at each step is presented in the spectrogram as a column of colored pixels; the color shows the intensity of each spectral component. Consequently, the result-ing spectrogram shows how a signal spectrum changes in time. The following picture shows the result of analysis of the sine creep, with the frequency increasing line-arly from 20 Hz to 400 Hz.

At the top of the spectrogram, the program shows the analyzed signal. On the right side, it shows the color legend of the spectrum intensities and two curves: the red one shows the peak value and the black one shows the average value of each spectral component over the whole analyzed interval. The black line is the same curve as shown by the report element Power Spectrum. Similar to the spectrum curve calculation, this report element uses the normalized Hann window to avoid the spectrum distortion caused by abrupt edges.

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The calculation settings of the report element are:

Window NNN points, defines the size of the analysis window in points. If "auto" is selected, the pro-gram adjusts the window size to make the vertical and horizontal resolution of the generated picture as close as possible. The Output settings are: Color scale: Auto/manual defines how the colors are matched to the values of the spectrogram. If the color scale is set to "Auto", the program automatically matches the color scale to the minimum and maximum values of the spectrogram; if the setting global scale is on, the maximum limits for all ana-lyzed signals will be used. If the color scale is set to Manual, the next two settings (min and max) are used to set the limits manually; this might be needed to compare the results of analysis of different signals. Height: The height of the entire record element in mm. Split vertical at / Split horizontal at: Used to define the size of the bottom and the right sub-elements. Space: The space between sub-elements.

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Title font and Ruler font: Defines fonts used for the titles of the sub-elements and the rulers. Restrict all calculations to activity / Restrict all calculations to phase: Used to perform calcula-tions only over certain activities and period phases of the complete analyzed interval. Use raw signals: Defines whether all calculations must be performed on the raw (unprocessed) ver-sion of the signals. Restrict calculations to channels: Used to override the analyzed channels defined in the Report Configuration Wizard.

CWT scalogram The Short-Time Fourier Transforms produces only a rough overview of the spectrum dynamics, be-cause the time resolution is constant for all frequencies and is defined by the length of the analysis step, but higher frequencies have more oscillations in a time interval and they need more precise lo-calization than the lower frequencies. Also, in STFT the shorter analysis step leads to a reduction of the frequency resolution. The Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT) is a method that is able to locate short activity bursts (wavelets) with only a few oscillations, so the higher the frequency, the better time localization it has. Different Continuous Wavelet Transforms use differently shaped wavelets for calculations. One common wavelet is the Morlet wavelet, which is created by the same sine/cosine curves used for the Fourier transform, but the Morlet wavelet contains only a few of their oscillations; the others are faded out. The Morlet wavelet is convenient, because being close to the Fourier transform curve, it delivers similar information, but the Morlet wavelet allows arbitrary frequency and selectable band-width. Here is the output of the report element "CWT scalogram" with Morlet curve selected for cal-culation.

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The input signal at the top of the scalogram is the same 20 to 400 Hz creep that was used for the STFT spectrogram (on page 162). The top right picture gives an overview of the wavelet used for the calculation. The curves on the right side show maximum (red) and average (black) values of the calculated levels. STFT has a linear scale, i.e. each succeeding frequency is the previous frequency, plus a fixed increment. CWT, as it can be seen on the graph, has a logarithmic frequency scale, i.e. each succeeding frequency is the previous frequency multiplied by a fixed coefficient, like the musical scale where each succeeding octave has two times higher frequency than the previous octave. The Morlet transform is convenient when it is necessary to explore a known set of frequencies in a signal with better time localization. This is especially important for short analyzed intervals. The CWT Settings of the Morlet transform are:

Begin frequency: the center frequency of the first calculated voice. End frequency: the center frequency of the last calculated voice. Number of voices: is the number of calculated frequencies. Voice bandwidth: defines the bandwidth of the voice; the value above 100% means that the neigh-boring frequencies are overlapped, the value below 100% means frequencies are not overlapped. Note: the narrower the bandwidth is, the more oscillations the wavelet contains, and hence the poorer or less accurate time localization it gives. The Output Options/Settings of the report element "CWT scalogram" are the same as for the report element "STFT spectrogram" (See earlier segment). Another common CWT type is the Mexican Hat Transform. It received this name from the shape of its wavelet resembling a high-brimmed hat. It has a relatively low bandwidth (about 4 voices per oc-tave), which is constant and cannot be changed. However, it has a good time localization resolution and therefore it is good for tracking sharp frequency changes. It doesn’t have the phase (complex) component, and the result looks like a sequence of "drops".

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Here is the output of the report element "CWT scalogram" with the Mexican Hat wavelet, selected for calculation on the same 20 to 400 Hz creep.

Mexican Hat Transform has the following calculation parameters: Begin frequency: the center frequency of the first calculated voice. Number of octaves: the number of octaves which are calculated; octave defines the frequency range: each succeeding octave begins with twice the frequency of the previous octave. Voices per octave: number of voices calculated in each octave.

MRA The Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) is based on the same idea, of locating short activity burst of known shapes, as the Continuous Wavelet Transform, but the algorithm is optimized to minimize cal-culations and to retrieve just enough frequency information from the signal to reconstruct it - nothing extra. If the wavelet used for the calculations correctly describes the shape of the analyzed signals, the result will contain only a small number of significant coefficients, which can be effectively com-pressed. In some cases, DWT can provide much more efficient and faster compression than the Fou-rier transformation is able to do. Another application of DWT is noise cleaning: low or short activities are considered to be noise, they can easily be located and erased from the transformed data and the signal can then be restored with-out significant change in its shape, but with more consistent frequency characteristics. To achieve fast calculation speed, DWT defines a special algorithm that requires wavelets conforming to certain strict criteria.

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The report element "MRA" (Multi-Resolution Analysis) offers a set of commonly used wavelets suit-able for DWT, such as Coiflet, Symmlet and Daubechies. MRA separates the analyzed signal to their approximations by the selected wavelet taken at different frequency levels. The sine creep signal used in the previous sections, analyzed with the wavelet "Coiflet 18", will produce the following result:

The first graph shows the original signal. The other graphs are the first 6 levels of approximation by the chosen wavelet. Here is the same signal, but analyzed with the wavelet "Daubechies 2 / Haar":

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The report element "MRA" has the following settings:

Wavelet type selection: selects wavelet shape for analysis. Min Level, Max Level: defines the displayed approximation levels. All other settings are similar to the settings for the report element "Channel curves".

DWT scalogram "DWT scalogram" calculates the same data as "MRA", but it calculates and shows all possible ap-proximation levels, and presents them in the same scalogram output type as is used for CWT (see the section CWT scalogram).

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Phase correlation This report element is designed for analyzing Bilateral Gait records. Based on two foot switch trigger signals, the stance and swing phase plus the subphases Loading Response, Single Support and Pre-Swing of the left and right gait cycle are averaged and compared in a phase diagram:

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The Phase correlation element has only one setup section:

Calculate can be switched between: Relative: the gait phases are expressed in % of the gait cycle. Absolute: the gait phases are expressed in absolute seconds. Some output options like Fonts, sizes and scaling can be customized in the other selection entries.

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Info & Multimedia Elements The second class of report elements, add helpful information boxes like subject and record info pan-els, legends, video pictures and muscle maps to the report.

Date & Time These info elements add the date and time of the analysis. You can customize several output options for these elements.

Legend This creates a legend for all records when you perform a comparison analysis.

Subject picture The database system allows you to add a subject/patient picture to the subject info section. This ele-ment loads the picture to the report.

Subject info With this element you can have access to all the subject properties (e.g. Patient Form) listed in the info section of the database menu and can print it in a report. Show properties allow you to select or unselect a subject property.

Subject comment The RTF based comments section in the Subject Info section of the Database Menu can be loaded to the report with this element. Edit opens the subject comments editor. All comments written here are written in the subject comments window, by default.

Record Info Similar to the Subject Info, the record properties of the Record info section in Database can be loaded to the report with this element. The Show Properties section allows you to check or uncheck items for the report.

Record Comment The RTF based comments section in the Record Info section of the Database Menu can be loaded to the report with this element. Edit opens the records comment editor. All comments written here are written in the records comments window, by default.

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Processing History This analysis frame shows a list of all signal-processing operations that were performed on the ana-lyzed record.

Measured Device This element loads the Muscle Maps (with electrode selection) and external sensors & devices (used in this record) to the report. Show views allow you to select which map is being shown in the report.

Intensities at marker position Each amplitude value (one single data point for each channel) found at a marker position is listed with this report element. Video For recordings done with synchronized video, this element shows video frames that correspond to marker positions or the position of the cursor in the Record Viewer (Show frames at...). Several other Output Options can be customized to arrange the video picture sequence.

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Description of Layout & Decoration Elements The layout concept of MyoResearch XP's reports is HTML oriented. Major layout elements found in HTML documents can be used to arrange the layout of the report. The layout concept is dynamic, e.g. if the contents of an analysis element does not fit on one page, it is automatically continued on the next page. If the printer is changed, the report layout is automatically adjusted.

Box This layout element creates a box in the report. You can give it a title and fill in one other element, e.g. an analysis element.

Horizontal line A horizontal line will be drawn from the left to the right page margin.

Splitter A splitter is a tool that allows you to separate two (e.g. analysis) elements from each other and ar-range them horizontally or vertically. The control Edge defines the position of the first element, the other is automatically placed in the remaining space. Left and Right are horizontal element arrangements; Top and Bottom are vertical arrangements. A splitter can be placed in Boxes and Sheets.

Sheet The Sheet element allows you to place several new elements in a Box and Splitter areas, which usu-ally can only contain one element.

Page break The page break forces a page break at the desired location.

Picture This decoration element can be used to add any picture to the report, e.g. the institute logo or a proto-col logo. Click Browse... to set a path to the picture you want to add to the report.

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Text & Rich Text Both elements allow you to edit any text in your report, e.g. to give a description or explanation to an analysis frame. Text is using plain text; Rich Text is using the RTF file format, which can show both text signs and pictures.

Page number The page number is added to the report.

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MyoResearch XP Application Protocols Introduction You can access MyoResearch Application Protocols by a separated program link/icon on your PC- desktop, called ‘MyoResearch Application’. It is first needed to close MyoResearch XP’s master level. MyoResearch XP’s application protocols are semi-automatic routines used to create application spe-cific analysis reports. Protocols are sorted by application groups (such as Gait, Symmetry or Incon-tinence). A protocol wizard guides you through each step in the protocol.

1. Measurement: choice of channel and recording options, online monitoring and recording of data.

2. Signal processing: such as smoothing, filtering, rectification; will be skipped in real-time proc-essed protocols.

3. Period Definition: specification of analysis periods by marker lines, trigger signals or mouse marked areas.

4. Report: typically, 1 or 2 page reports with multiple analysis frames.

Each of these steps can be adjusted to your own needs by pressing the Modify button and entering comprehensive setup menus. These protocol screens are based on the menu screen of the master level; depending on the selected protocol, fewer functions may be presented. Usually it is sufficient to click the green action button in the lower main operation bar and you will be automatically guided to the analysis report. In each application group, you can create your own protocols or store modified ones under a new name. The Database Menu allows you to re-analyze existing data and copy, ex-port or import them.

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To see the complete list of application groups, click on the pull-down button next to the Application title. Each application has a comprehensive description text, which appears when the Show Info but-ton in the right tool bar is pressed.

Protocol Entrance Screen Project New & Organize

Project is the highest level in the hierarchy of the MyoResearch XP database. This level can be used to separate different studies or several users working in the same version. If several projects are available in one version, you can click the pull-down button and change to another Project Directory.

New creates a new Project Directory.

Organize contains all operations needed to manage a Project Directory:

New creates a new Project Directory. Edit allows you to change the Project Directory name. Delete deletes the Project Directory and all its data.

Attention! Please Note: once deleted, the data cannot be restored!

Copy is bi-directional: you can send a project (and all its contents) to a directory in the network or pick up data from any location and import it into your working version.

Use the Copy command to backup your data to external drives or locations and/or restore it, if neces-sary.

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If you want to copy Subjects or single records, please enter the Database menu and use the Subject or Record Copy menu.

To Copy projects, first decide if you want to copy data in the latest MyoResearch XP data format (in-dicated as 'External Projects') or if you want to pick up projects from earlier versions of MyoResearch (98), i.e. 1.00 - 2.11 versions (indicated as '16-Bit MR Projects import only'). Next, browse the direc-tory where you want to send or pick up project data.

MyoResearch XP data is always copied to or from a special 'container directory' called Noraxon Data. This container directory is automatically created whenever you copy data out of MyoResearch XP. This special directory is needed to keep the integrity of the complex database structure of MyoRe-search XP. Measurement configurations, protocols and reports are copied to this container directory, not only recorded data. MyoResearch data can be sent to any location or directory on your hard disk or net drive, but this container directory will always automatically be created: the menu dialog prompts you "This directory doesn't contain Noraxon Data yet" and continues with the message box:

Confirm this dialog when you use the copy function for the first time at a given destination directory!

Important remark to the Copy function:

Never use Windows Explorer to send or copy single files from within this directory! Also, never directly copy data from the data directory of your MyoResearch XP version! By doing so, you may lose impor-tant index files, which are needed to correctly read the data. You can safely send, copy, burn or ar-chive the complete container file Noraxon Data, but never single components from it.

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When copying data from an external location to your current versions, MR-XP automatically looks for the Noraxon Data container directory at the selected path and checks if it contains MyoResearch da-ta. When found, a split panel screen appears: on the left side is the existing version you are currently using and on the right side, are the list of projects available in the external directory:

All projects currently available are shown in the list screens. With a left mouse click, you can select a project (multi-selection by pressing the CTRL or SHIFT button is supported) for the copy operation. Click on the Import button to copy projects from the external Projects to the local version, i.e. the ver-sion you are currently using. To send/copy data to the external directory, click the Export button.

Subject - New Element

Subjects are the second level in the MyoResearch XP database system. Typically, all records (third level) of one person are stored and listed here.

The Subject - New element shows you the currently selected subject. This means that all current and future records on this subject are automatically stored in this subject directory. To create a new sub-ject directory, click on New and enter a new subject name. To change to another subject, click on the desired subject name in the Subject list.

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Each subject in the database can receive assisting information (subject properties), such as sub-ject/patient form entries, written comments or external documents and pictures.

The Subject Info Section is organized in 4 sections:

Basic Info These are the most common entries to specify a patient. First and Last Name are required, Sex and Date of Birth are optional, but recommended. The list entries can be customized (e.g. expanded by other subject properties) by right mouse click context menu: Show/Hide fields offer a list of all existing subject properties. By checking or unchecking an entry, new properties can be added or existing ones can be deleted. Subject Form This info section can serve as a patient form. You may customize this list by the mouse context menu (right click), as described above. Comment By double clicking on the Comment tab, an edit button is offered to add comments to the subject. Edit opens the WordPad editor that comes with every Windows XP installation. WordPad allows you to create or open RTF based documents (e.g. WinWord) and paste them as a subject property to this comments section. RTF supports windows metafile graphs/pictures (in a clipboard format). Picture Use this tab section to add any Picture documentation to your subject properties. By double clicking you can access 3 controls:

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Browse: load a picture file (bmp, jpg, emf, png, ico, gif) stored on your hard disk. Paste: paste a picture from clipboard. Delete: erase an existing picture if it is no longer needed. You can use this subject property to add a patient picture directly from the USB CAM: Just make a portrait picture of your subject/patient and store or copy it to the clipboard, then load it to the subject database.

You can also add scans stored in picture format to the database (Attention: doing this, creates very large files!)

Application List This list can be minimized or maximized by the small double arrow button next to the Application title.

The presented list of iconized application groups may differ between purchased MyoResearch XP packages and update versions. To select or change an application group, left click on the group icon in this list. Preconfigured protocols (typically named with 2, 4 and 8 channels) will appear in the Pro-tocol list section. A comprehensive description of each application group and its underlying protocols can be loaded by pressing the button Show Info in the right tool bar. Users of the MyoResearch XP full master version can also access the Application Tools section in the right side tool bar. These tools allow you to create, copy, rename and export application groups.

Protocol List Protocols are semi-automatic routines to create an application specific analysis report. Each applica-tion group is pre-configured with a set of 2, 4 or 8 channel protocols. Each of these protocols can be changed to a different number of channels (see next protocol step Measurement Setup) and later be stored under a user defined name. By pressing the lower left Measure button (or by left double click) a protocol is started. Comprehensive information about the protocol contents can be accessed by pressing the Show Info button in the Right Tool Bar.

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Protocol Wizard Line The protocol wizard line helps you successfully operate a complete protocol run. Just read and follow the screen instructions. Each protocol step is shown and any required user operation is prompted.

Right Tool Bar Application Tools The toolbox appears if the application list is maximized on the screen.

Several helpful functions are available to manage application groups: New This function is designed for users who want to create their own applications. Edit Allows you to change the title and the picture of an application. Duplicate If you want to create a new application group based on the settings of an existing one, use this func-tion to first duplicate an application group and then change/edit it. Delete

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Erases an application group. Attention! Note: Once deleted the application cannot be restored! Copy The copy command works bi-directional. To copy a complete application group, click on the Copy command in the tools section and define a path to the external target directory. Any data going out of MyoResearch XP software is automatically stored in a sub directory called "Noraxon Data" (created by the copy routine). If this directory is found at any external location, drive or directory (due to former copies), the copy routine prompts you: "Some data found in this directory". Just confirm this path setting and you will enter the two panel copy dialog screen:

On the left side you see all applications of your current version, on the right side you see all available applications of the external target directory. To copy data from the left to the right side, click on the right Copy button. The left button copies data from right to left, e.g. picking up external applications and adding it to your current version. Multi selection by pressing the CTRL or Shift key is supported! Please study the important comments on MyoResearch XP’s copy system listed under Project New/Organize // Copy at the beginning of this help text.

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Protocol Tools

New Click here to create a new protocol in the selected application group. You will automatically enter the Measurement Setup screen. To continue, you will need to first define a measurement configuration and perform a test record. When done, follow the protocol wizard to define a signal processing routine (if needed), a period definition method and finally, the desired report. Typically, all protocols within one application group target the same report. Alternatively, you can access self-written or modified reports. Finally, as a last step define a name and an icon (if desired) and store this protocol and run as a new protocol. Edit Allows you to change the name and the icon for the selected protocol. Delete Erases the selected protocol. Attention! Note: Once deleted the application cannot be restored! Copy The copy command works bi-directional. To copy a protocol, click on the Copy command and define a path to the external target directory. Any protocol going out of the MyoResearch XP software is au-tomatically stored in a sub directory called "Noraxon Data" (created by the Copy routine). If this direc-tory already exists (due to former copies) in an external location, drive or directory, the copy routine prompts you: "Some data found in this directory". Just confirm this path setting and you will enter the two panel copy dialog screen:

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On the left side you see all the protocols in your current version, on the right side you see previously copied protocols in the external target directory. To copy protocols from the left to the right side, click on the right Copy button. The left button copies data from right to left, e.g. picking up external applica-tions and adding it to your current version. Multi selection by pressing the CTRL or Shift key is sup-ported! Please study the important comments on MyoResearch XP’s copy system listed under Project New/Organize // Copy at the beginning of this help text.

Show Info This button opens a description & quick info panel of the selected application. It is separated into four register card sections:

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Tab Application Info The Application Info text is the same for all protocols in the selected application group and cannot be edited by the user because it serves as a product description. It contains a comprehensive description of the application group and protocols utilized within, and are found in the following chapter:

Overview: The purpose and contents of a protocols plus a report preview. Application: Explanation where and how the protocol is being used. Testing Procedure: A detailed instruction on how to operate the complete protocol. Report: Comprehensive explanations of all analysis results. Links: < in development> Interesting and important links related to the topic. Tab Protocol Basic Settings This is brief summary of operational protocol settings.

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Channels: The number and type of channels selected for a protocol. Report: The report that is automatically created by the protocol. Period Definition: The period definition mode defining analysis periods for the automatic report.

Tab Protocol Measurement Options The main settings of all activated measurement options are listed here:

• Recording options • Real time processing • Display Options • Biofeedback • Video

See the help text of the Measurement Setup menu for more information about Measurement Options. Tab Protocol Signal Processing Many protocols use a preconfigured signal processing that is applied after raw data is stored to the PC -Hard disk (see protocol step Signal Processing). All operations applied to a given protocol are listed here (such as smoothing, rectification, filtering).

Main Operation Buttons The main operation bar works in a "traffic light" principle: the left green button is the "Go" button for the main operation in a given protocol step, the red button on the right side is the "Stop" button and stops the protocol at any time. In the middle you can access important options like the Modify button.

Measure This button starts the Measurement Setup menu and starts the selected protocol. Database To (re-) analyze a previously measured record, click this button to enter the Database Menu. If you want to analyze records with another report, other than what was originally measured (all protocols in one application group target the same report), open the application group that contains the desired report first, then click on Database and load the record to be analyzed. Exit By pressing Exit, you leave MyoResearch XP’s Application Protocols.

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Protocol Step Measurement Setup

After selecting an application and a protocol, the next protocol step is to define or confirm a Measure-ment Setup configuration. Starting from the Protocol Entrance screen, you enter the Measurement Setup Screen by pressing the lower main operation button Measure. Note that this and all following protocol screens are very similar to the menu screen of the Master Level; the only modification is the main operation bar, the protocol wizard and reduced contents of menu functions:

At that step, you can customize the muscle/channel selection or confirm an existing one. The optional button Modify allows you access to more measurement options (e.g. if you want to add synchronized video recording). These functions are identical to the Master Level functions. For comprehensive descriptions, please check the chapter Measurement Options of the Master Level in this manual. Some Application Protocols are configured with predefined measurement options like real-time proc-essing. An overview of all currently activated measurement options can be found in the Info/Meas. Options register tab below the Channels list. The button Start will continue the protocol routine and open the Measurement Monitor. The button Database allows a step back to the database menu.

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Protocol Step Measurement (Monitor, Recording) The next protocol step opens the Signal monitor. Depending on the selected protocol, the screen el-ements may differ: some protocols work with the Biofeedback Window; others use synchronized video by default, etc.

To start the data recording, click on the main action button Record. The status line above the protocol wizard will change to ‘Recording’; on the top right corner of the Tool Bar a measurement clock starts running. Use the Measurement Options and Tools of the Right Tool Bar to customize measurement options or Pause, Freeze or Restart the recording. Zero Offset, in the main operation bar, allows a new zero offset correction of the signal baseline to zero level. This function has to be used before the Record button is pressed. The button Mark, which is available right after the start of data recording, allows you to add manual marker events, la-belled by the text on the left side of the Mark button. Some protocols use the electronic training assistant (Multi-activity protocols like Incontinence or Bio-feedback), which prompts contraction commands and plays acoustic voice commands. For a more detailed description of available functions, please check the chapter Measurement Moni-tor of the Master Level. The green main action button Finish stops the recording of data and prompts you to enter a record name for your measurement.

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Protocol Step Signal Processing The next protocol step Signal Processing automatically applies the pre-configured signal processing steps selected for this protocol and displays the result in the Record Viewer Screen:

It allows you to review the results of the processing. If modifications are needed, press Modify to open up the Signal Processing Menu, which is explained in detail in the chapter ‘Signal Processing’ in the Master Level.

Protocol Step Period Definition The next protocol step, Period Definition, allows the user to define analysis periods for the report. The pre-configured period definition method is indicated in the protocol assistant and varies from applica-tion to application. Some protocols skip this step because by default, the whole measurement is ana-lyzed. Others require marker pairs or trigger signals to define analysis periods.

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MyoResearch XP’s period, definition system, is extensively explained in the chapter Report Setup 3 Step scheme (step 2) of the Master Level. When pressing the green main action button Next, se-lected periods are shown as yellow and/or blue bars in the Periods line below the traces screen. Bor-ders of periods can be corrected by left mouse drag; invalid periods can be deleted by dragging them away from the Periods line. To change or adjust the Period definition mode or select certain channels to be analyzed, click Modify in the main operation bar. By clicking Next in the main operation bar you finally continue to the Report.

Protocol Step Report The last protocol step, Report, processes the signals based on the period definition done in the proto-col step before. Reports are application specific. A comprehensive description of reports can be found in the application Info panel of the Protocol Entrance Screen.

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Explanations of single report analysis elements can be found in the chapter, Descriptions Analysis Elements, of the Master Level explanations. To identify the name and type of a certain analysis ele-ment, double click on it and check the caption title and its preconfigured settings in the register card system. As an example, the following screen shows the setup menu of the analysis element Average Period:

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Numerous Report Tools and Options in the Right Tool Bar can be used to, e.g. copy analysis data to the clipboard, export the report or add a finding to the Normative Database. For comprehensive descriptions of all report options and functions, please check the chapter Report of the Master Level descriptions. The button Next will go back to the Measurement Setup screen of the next recording; Print allows you to print a single page or the whole report. The button Reanalyze goes back to the Period Definition step and allows the user to modify the defini-tion of analysis periods. The button Compare opens the Comparison menu of the Report Setup 3 step scheme, which is ex-plained in the Master Mode text. Close ends the protocol routine.

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How to reanalyze old records or reload previous reports? Start from the protocol entrance screen: If a report finding for a certain record has to be reloaded, first make sure that you have selected the same application group that you used when you created the report the first time (Protocols are macro functions to automatically generate a certain application report). Next, click on the Database button in the main operation bar. You will enter the Database menu where now you can select the desired re-cord. The last report setup settings are stored and kept in the program memory. Just click on the Analysis button and the report will immediately be generated based on the previous settings.

How to change a report for a given record? If you have used a protocol of the application group “Standard Analysis” and successfully created an EMG standard report, but now want to perform a Frequency/Fatigue report with the same record, just click on Choose Report in the Report Options of the Right Tool Bar and select the desired report in the Report Selection menu. Next, you need to perform the Report Setup 3 Step Scheme to define the channels, periods and optional comparison mode for the new analysis report.

How to create a new protocol Start from the Protocol Entrance Screen. MyoResearch XP Master Edition users can create new application groups based on self-developed reports. First, maximize the Application list and the Application Tools section will appear in the Right Tool Bar of the Protocol Entrance screen. Click on New to open up a new application group. When done, click on New within the Protocol Tools of the Right Tool Bar. Now follow the instructions of the Protocol Wizard. To complete a protocol, a measurement configu-ration has to be defined, a record based on this configuration has to be stored, signal processing has to be defined and a report, with its Report Setup 3 Step Scheme to define channels and periods, have to be selected. If you have successfully created and reached a report for that record, click on Finish to name and store this new application protocol.

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List of pre-configured application groups in the MyoResearch Master Edition EMG Standard Analysis • Universal protocol for all types of EMG setups • Basic amplitude parameters (mean, peak) in selected analysis periods • Creates a standard graph and a histogram graph • Designed for general analysis questions

Symmetry Protocol • Comparison of affected and unaffected side • For bilateral symmetrical movements • Displays the EMG patterns and histogram statistics • To evaluate innervation differences in left/right comparisons

Coordination Protocol • Coordination analysis of agonist and antagonist muscles • For unilateral single and multi joint movements • Displays the EMG patterns and histogram • To evaluate the neuromuscular coordination

Average EMG Patterns • Create averaged and time normalized EMG patterns • For repeated movement sequences and exercises • With optional MVC normalization • To analyze the typical innervation structure of movements

Feedback Training • Biofeedback display of signals • With automatic training assistance (acoustic & optical) • With optional MVC normalization and threshold definition • Provides for the precise training of dysfunctional muscle groups

Incontinence Training • Shrinking cycle display of signals • With automatic training assistance (acoustic & optical) • Multi Activity Recording with baseline, quick flicks, max.-contractions, maximum endurance and rest line test.

Spectrum Report • Calculates the total power frequency spectrum • Utilizes adjustable “Fourier Transformation” settings • Power spectrum plot and frequency distribution statistics • To analyze the EMG frequency contents and signal quality

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Frequency/Fatigue Analysis

• Calculates the time domain frequency changes • Automatic separation in time segments • Creates a trend diagram and frequency changes statistic • To show the fatigue related frequency shift

EMG & Isokinetics • Combined EMG input vs. force output analysis • For all isokinetic exercises • Creates averaged EMG/force curves and trend diagrams • Neuromuscular analysis of isokinetic tests and exercises

Timing Analysis • Threshold based definition of sub-periods within global periods

• Supports multiple SD of baseline / % of local peak / fixed value • Create graphs showing the threshold and sub-periods • For flexible timing and onset/offset analysis

Ergonomics Protocols • EMG based analysis of neuromuscular effort within activities

• Amplitude probability or threshold related reports • Video based period definition and analysis • Explains the muscular nature and demand of any activity

Jump Protocols • Force plate or contact plate jump analysis

• Various jump types: drop-/counter mov.-/squat jump, hopping • Creates averaged curves and calculates jump heights • For the analysis of reactive and/or concentric jump activity

Template Training • Biofeedback training based on templates

• EMG/angle/force using the healthy side as a template • Shows the accuracy of performance in ratio to the template • For various biofeedback and motor learning concepts

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List of Application Protocols for the MyoResearch Basic Edition EMG Standard Analysis • Universal protocol for all types of EMG setups • Basic amplitude parameters (mean, peak) in selected analysis periods • Creates a standard graph and a histogram graph • Designed for general analysis questions

Average EMG Patterns • Create averaged and time normalized EMG patterns • For repeated movement sequences and exercises • With optional MVC normalization • To analyze the typical innervation structure of movements

Frequency/Fatigue Analysis • Calculates the time domain frequency changes • Automatic separation in time segments • Creates a trend diagram and frequency changes statistic • To show the fatigue related frequency shift

Spectrum Report • Calculates the total power frequency spectrum • Utilizes adjustable “Fourier Transformation” settings • Power spectrum plot and frequency distribution statistics • To analyze the EMG frequency contents and signal quality

Contact Information For additional information, please contact Noraxon World Headquarters USA.

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