Zebris Pressure System Integration & Application Guide

This guide will provide step-by-step instructions on how to install the Zebris hardware and MR software, adjust device settings, and record measurements, and use the pressure data.

Zebris pressure systems integrate with myoRESEARCH as a way to measure synchronized plantar pressure data through an instrumented treadmill or overground walkway. The pressure data can be used alone to evaluate pressure and center of pressure distribution during gait, running or stance and balance, or synchronized with other Noraxon technology such as EMG, IMU-based motion capture, and 2D video analysis.

This section describes hardware and software needed to run a Zebris pressure system.

Part #700A: Zebris Interface Box

Part #CBL02: USB A to B cable

Part #700B: Zebris Power Supply (built into the treadmill)

Part #700C: Zebris Sync cable (optional, used to synchronize Zebris pressure systems with other Noraxon systems)

Reference the 🔗Zebris Interface Box Installation Guide for more details on how the Zebris Interface Box is connected to the treadmill.

The Zebris Interface box should already be mounted below the treadmill and installed by a technician. Reference the diagram below to ensure the hardware listed above is plugged into the Zebris Interface Box.

In order to set the FDM-T platform into operation, the power supply unit, the USB type A-B cable, and Zebris sync cable must be connected to the platform according to the diagram below.

The A-end of the USB cable plugs into the PC and the 3.5 mm stereo end of the sync cable plugs into the Noraxon MyoSync Master Station.

LED Indicators:

POWER—The power LED will be illuminated as soon as the power supply unit is plugged into the interface box and connected to mains.

STANDBY—Standby will be illuminated if the power supply unit is connected to mains, the USB socket is connected to the PC and the hardware driver of the platform is properly installed.

MEASURE—The measure LED will be illuminated during the measurement.

USB—The USB LED will be illuminated when the USB socket is connected to the PC and the hardware driver of the platform is properly installed.

Synchronization:

For more details on setting up the Zebris device for use with the MyoSync in MR, reference the 🔗MR4 Synchronization Guide.

Zebris platform or walkway

Part #CBL02: USB A to A cable

Part #700B: Zebris Power Supply

Part #700C: Zebris Sync cable (optional, used to synchronize Zebris pressure systems with other Noraxon systems)

Reference the 🔗Zebris FDM Specifications and Operating Instructions for technical specifications, dimensions, and more details about use, cleaning, and basic operation.

In order to set the FDM-T platform into operation, the power supply unit, the USB type A-A cable, and Zebris sync cable must be connected to the platform according to the diagram below.

One A-end of the USB cable plugs into the PC and the 3.5 mm stereo end of the sync cable plugs into the Noraxon MyoSync Master Station.

LED Indicators:

GREEN FLASHING—The power supply unit is connected to mains and a correct supply voltage is provided. A USB connection is not established yet or recognized. The platform is not ready for initialization or measurement.

GREEN SOLID—The power supply unit is connected to mains and a correct supply voltage is provided. A USB connection is established and recognized. The platform is ready for initialization or measurement.

ORANGE SOLID—A measurement is in process

ORANGE / GREEN FLASHING—A measurement is in process and infrared synchronization signals (from other zebris devices) are received. The orange flashing signalizes that valid synchronization signals are received.

Synchronization:

For more details on setting up the Zebris device for use with the MyoSync in MR, reference the 🔗MR4 Synchronization Guide.

The Zebris pressure ystem requires software to perform its function. The equipment is offered in combination with the following computer program packages:

Noraxon myoRESEARCH® Software Platform and myoPRESSURE Software or Zebris FDM Software.

The Noraxon myoRESEARCH software is recommended when using the Zebris pressure system with multi-device setups.

For the latest myoRESEARCH Computer specification requirements, reference the link below.

🔗myoRESEARCH Computer Specification Requirements [PDF]

To utilize the full functionality of the Zebris pressure system, and ensure the system has updated drivers, Noraxon’s myoRESEARCH® needs to be installed on the computer.

Note: The Zebris device requires the Zebris USB device driver which is pre-installed by the MR software installation

1. Download the latest version of the Noraxon myoRESEARCH software from the 🔗Software Downloads page.

2. Open the installer application, and follow the instructions.

3. After installation, an icon will be created on the Desktop

The installed companion software must be activated before unrestricted use is possible.

1. Open myoRESEARCH (MR).

2. A dialog box will indicate how many more times MR can be opened in trial mode.

3. Click on Activate.

4. Enter the License ID by Noraxon and click Ok.

If you have an internet connection, click Activate by Internet for immediate activation.

a. Alternatively, email the provided activation ID to activation@noraxon.com.

b. Noraxon Support will email or respond by phone with the Activation Code.

c. Enter the provided Activation Code to remove any restrictions on use.

Step 1:

Open the MR software, click on the settings icon in the upper right-hand corner, then click Hardware Setup.

Step 2:

After connecting the Zebris device to a USB port on the computer, select the Zebris platform icon in the New Devices area, and click Insert.

NOTE: Ensure the power supply is plugged into the Zebris device

Step 3:

The Zebris device hardware setup window will appear as shown.

Use Noraxon MyoSync: If using the MyoSync, select YES

Manual Sensitivity Adjustment %: Only used for older platforms as calibration sensitivity declines. Contact Noraxon Support if you are experiencing any bad data or issues with your pressure platform.

Step 4:

Click Ok to save the hardware settings and close the setup window.

Watch this short video to see how the system is used within a real myoRESEARCH protocol. This example demonstrates how the software setup, data collection, and analysis steps come together in an applied workflow, helping you connect the basic setup process with meaningful analysis outcomes.

NOTE: The device used as a reference is for EMG, but basic protocol workflow steps are still relevant.

After adding your Zebris device to a protocol configruation, select settings relevant for your desired application.

Measurement Modes:

Gait mode: Used for gait and running analysis. With this mode enabled, MR automatically segments the foot contacts into left and right feet when saving. This mode is required to be enabled for measurement in order to generate any gait and running reports in MR.

Stance mode: Used for balance and stance analysis. With this mode enabled, MR automatically segments the feet into left/right feet and forefoot/rearfoot. This mode is required to be enabled for measurement in order to generate any balance or stance reports in MR.

Raw pressure distribution mode: Used only for raw pressure analysis. With this mode enabled, MR will not attempt to segment the pressure contacts into feet. There are no compatible MR reports for this mode, so it should only be used when raw pressure data is needed and when exporting raw pressure data outside of MR for further analysis.

Frequency:

The maximum frequency of mode Zebris platforms is 120 Hz unless a high speed upgrade was purchased to expand the frequency to either 250 Hz or 300 Hz.

Select the frequency based on your application.

• Stance measurements: 60-80 Hz
• Walking Gait Analysis: 100 Hz
• Running Analysis: 250-300 Hz

NOTE: If a high frequency >100 Hz is selected for balance recording, you may notice heavy delay in pressure data appearing in MR in real-time. This is due to bandwidth limitations on the Zebris device that prevents all active cells from being transmitted for two foot contacts at the same time at high rates. Pressure distribution data does not change frequently for stance measurements, so a lower sample rate (60-80 Hz) is recommended.

Record Sync:

Select the checkbox next to Record Sync if you want to measure the sync trigger channel. It is not required to enable this setting for synchronization to work, but it is recommended to record it for troubleshooting purposes.

When ready to record a measurement, click MEASURE. MR will prompt you to step off the platform before clicking ACTIVATE. Ensure no one is standing on the platform during this phase, and ensure nothing else is resting on the pressure measurement surface.

Click RECORD when ready to record. For treadmill gait/running, it is recommended to have the subject walk at the desired measurement speed for roughly 30 seconds before recording.

When finished recording, Save & View to save your pressure measurement and review the data. Save & measure again to continue with additional measurements before viewing data.

For more details on the reporting and analysis features of the MR software related to Gait and Running Analysis, view the recorded webinar below.

For more documentation on pressure distribution element definitions and use scenarios, visit the 🔗Education and Applications – Pressure section of the Knowledge Base.

Q: How do I turn the pressure platform on and off?

A: The platform is switched on and off by the software control as soon as the Noraxon software on the PC is started or shut down. If the device has been connected correctly, the green LED operation mode indicator illuminates on the interface box

Q: My Zebris pressure device is not detecting in the MR software.

A: To troubleshoot the root cause of the pressure platform not detecting, check the following:

1. Ensure the power supply is plugged in.
2. Ensure the USB cable is plugged in.
3. For pressure treadmills, ensure the ribbon cable is plugged into the back of the Zebris interface box, in case it was unplugged during recent service.

Q: I was able to collect data successfully, but am not able to generate a report.

A: Check to ensure your measurement mode matches your application. For instance, if you recorded in Stance Mode, but recorded pressure distribution data of a patient walking on a treadmill, a gait report cannot be generated since the pressure contacts were not detected properly (e.g. Gait Mode).

Refer to section 3.1 of this guide for more details on which measurement mode to select for each application.