Humac Norm (CSMI) Integration Guide

This guide explains how to integrate the Humac Norm Isokinetic from CSMI within the MR software environment. It covers the hardware required, step-by-step setup in the software, and the types of reports available for data analysis. In addition, you’ll find troubleshooting tips to address common setup and communication issues, ensuring a smooth and reliable workflow from data collection to reporting.

The following hardware is required for integration of your Biodex isokinetic machine into the MR software.

Figure 1: Noraxon Analog Input System (part #222B)

Figure 2: HUMAC64 Auxiliary BNC Cable for NORAXON. This cable connects the analog output from the Humac to the BNC inputs on the Noraxon AIS.

NOTE: This cable must be purchased from CSMI. Noraxon does not sell it.

Step 1: Connect the AIS to the Humac Norm through the Auxiliary Interface port using the HUMAC64 to AIS cable.

Step 2: Connect the AIS to the PC via the USB A to B cable.

Step 3: Open the Hardware Setup in MR, insert the AIS device, and choose Detect.

Connect the Humac Norm to the Noraxon AIS using the HUMAC64 Auxiliary BNC Cable as follows:

• Cable labeled “Torque” → BNC 1 on AIS
• Cable labeled “Velocity” → BNC 2 on AIS
• Cable labeled “Position” → BNC 3 on the AIS

The “Direction” cable can be connected as desired, but does not require scaling.

Refer to the diagram below for reference on the pin locations for the Analog Outputs.

The Position and Velocity values for the HUMAC NORM analog integration are from a digital encoder and do not vary across systems. The Torque value is from strain gauges, and the conversion factor varies across systems. Therefore, a torque calibration is required.

To obtain the correct torque conversion factor for your system:

1. From the Utilities → Calibration menu, click the View Log button.
2. Average the ConvFact for Dir 0 and Dir 1. This will be Your ConvFact used to compute your MR min/max values in later steps.
3. To obtain the Torque value in Newton-Meters, multiply your resulting Torque Value by (360/488).

Since the conversion factors for Position and Velocity are consistent across all devices, they are provided in the format needed for input into MR below. You must compute your own Torque scaling factor based on the criteria mentioned at the beginning of this section.

MR requires the +/- max voltage and the +/- max values for the protocol setup. They are provided in the table below. Since the Torque scaling factor is different per device, the equation is written in place of the value.

As an example, if Your ConvFactor = 0.017395, then the min and max scaling values for torque is calculated as follows:

• Min Value = -(10*.017395)/0.0003391981125 = -512.827
• Max Value = (10*.017395)/0.0003391981125 = 512.827

Step 1: Select any Application, then create a new Protocol. For more details on general protocol creation, reference the guide linked below.

🔗How to Create and Use Protocols in MR4

Step 2: In the Protocol Configuration, add the AIS device, then enable channels 1, 2, and 3.

Note: If you are synchronizing your torque, angle, and velocity data from the Humac Norm with EMG, you can also add your EMG system here, if it was set up ahead of time.

Step 3: Select the User-defined sensors tab and click “Insert/Delete Sensors” to add new sensor channels. This is where the Torque, Velocity, and Angle channels will be added.

Step 4: Add new sensors to the list, matching the type and units for the Position, Velocity, and Torque channels per the table below.

NOTE: The image below demonstrates what the values look like in MR, but the values you use should match the table above.

Step 5: Once the user-defined channels are added, assign each sensor to Channels 1-3 by double-clicking on the sensor in the user-defined sensors list when the desired channel in section 2 is highlighted. The channels are assigned as follows:

Channel 1 = Torque

Channel 2 = Velocity

Channel 3 = Position

Once assigned, the Sensor, Amplitude, and Units for each channel will be automatically filled in.

Step 6: Name channels 1-3 manually in the sensor selection list.

Step 1: Start a measurement in the Humac Norm software to start streaming through the analog outputs and into MR.

Step 2: Begin recording in MR by clicking MEASURE from the Home page or Protocol Configuration.

Step 3: Check the signals and click RECORD when ready to record.

Step 4: When finished, click STOP and save your data using one of the save options listed when the recording has finished.

A report for the CSMI Humac Norm is available pre-built into the MR software. If you assigned a report when you created the protocol, the report will be automatically generated. The “Biodex Isokinetics Knee” report is designed for the analysis of synchronized measurement of EMG and biomechanical output signals (torque, angle, velocity) during any isokinetic activity. The isokinetics output signals need to physically connected and integrated into the EMG recording, at minimum the torque and the position signal has to be recorded. The report setup depends on the given Isokinetics device and the predefined report setup may need some adjustments to the given isokinetics system.

Period Definition:

Mode: Min/Max by trigger channel, Min to Min with event (based on isokinetics angle signal)

Automatic period definition is based on a trigger detection algorithm, which typically uses the angle or velocity input signal. These settings can be adjusted in the next screen after selecting this report or via operating “Re-analyse” in the report preview menu. At least one repetition cycle of extension / flexion, ab- / adduction, in – / out rotation must be found. Detected periods are indicated by yellow (first phase) and blue (second phase) bars in the Viewer screen

Recommended processing:

Bipolar (raw) EMG signals need to be rectified and smoothed with a moving average or RMS algorithm with typically 50 to 100ms time constant. Bipolar torque curves should be rectified.

Report contents:

1. Page: Subject header, Averged Curves screen with Mean and Peak value bar graphs

2. Page: Subject header, time domain changes bar diagram for Mean EMG and torque/angle for both motion phases (e.g. knee extenstion/flexion), time domain statistics table

Analysis and interpretation:

The main purpose is to document the typical activation pattern and firing characteristics within each repetition cycle of the isokinetic activity (e.g. extension – flexion, abduction – adduction, in- / outward rotation, etc.). Angle, velocity or direction signals derived from the isokinetics device are used to time normalize and average EMG patterns for comparisons with the average torque output curve. The second page of the report provides a time domain analysis of the amplitude mean and peak values in a parameter trend diagram. This analysis reflects the changes in the neuromuscular recruitment within the recorded test or training set.

An example report is shown below. All reports in MR can be customized to show desired and relevant metrics for an individual’s project. 🔗Request support to learn more about report customization for this application.

Q: My analog signals are very noisy due to high frequency noise in the surrounding environment. How do I filter my signal to achieve reduced noise?

A: Since all of the analog data comes in at low frequencies (below 40 Hz), a low pass IIR filter with a 40 Hz cutoff can be applied either in post processing or within the Protocol Configruation through the Online Processing tools.

To learn how to add this filter to the real-time capture, follow the steps below to include the lowpass filter in the Protocol Configuration. For more information on how to apply filtering after data collection, reference the article below to learn more about Noraxon’s Signal Processing Tools.

🔗Signal Processing Tools Tutorial

(Click on the image below to enlarge)

Q: My velocity signals appear to be swapped between the positive and negative axes. How do I account for this in the setup?

A: Some machines may have the velocity or torque channels flipped in polarity. To account for this in MR, swap the min/max voltage directions in the user-defined sensors setup.

Velocity or Torque:

• Min V: +10.0
• Max V: -10.0
• Min value: +512
• Max value: -512