User guide

Charnwood Dynamics Ltd. Coda cx1 User Guide – Gait Analysis II - 3
CX1 USER GUIDE - COMPLETE.doc 26/04/04 88/162
This ‘marker-model’, along with acquisition parameters and the specifications for all stick-
figure and graph views, is permanently retained within appropriate setup files (as supplied,
with ‘.stp’ filename extensions) to be loaded by selecting ‘Load Setup..’ from the ‘Setup’
menu. Setups may, of course, be changed within Codamotion Analysis and resaved, or
edited externally using a text editor.
At this point it is worth checking the marker set-up on the patient with the Real-time stick
figure display (CODA menu:‘Display Stick Figure’) which would immediately reveal
incorrect marker positioning (or wrong .stp file loaded). Response from the force-plate or
EMG transmitter may also be checked on the same menu.
We are now almost ready for the first acquisition of the session. It remains only to check
the Acquisition setup… (CODA menu) to confirm that the parameters (sample rate and
length, marker numbers, trigger options, etc..) are still valid, and to reset the force-plate
amplifier. ‘Ctrl A’ instigates acquisition.
It would be prudent to check each acquisition in turn to confirm that markers were in view
and that force data were acquired. A cursory glance at the ‘marker-in-view %’ multi-bar
gaph or the acquisition summary (automatically displayed after acquisition) will suffice,
though alternatively, you may wish to engage in the fuller analysis to be obtained at this
stage. The acquired data are saved as a Movement Data File (MDF).
If, however, the patient is expected to perform a series of acquisitions it is well worthwhile
choosing the ‘Multiple Acquire & Save...’ option whereby a chosen file name is
automatically suffixed with the acquisition number and file extension and acquisitions are
triggered and auto-saved in rapid succession without necessarily opening any graphs or
other views.
In any case the data are saved for analysis and the patient may be freed from all the
trappings (the drive-boxes must be placed on charge again) but he or she may not be
dismissed unless the requisite, up-to-date, anthropometric (static) data are already logged
in the Patient Data Base (‘File’ menu). If we are dealing with a new patient he or she will
have to be weighed and measured in order that a PDB file be created. (This is essential
for an accurate segmental model with well positioned hip joints, though default data may
be used as an interim measure).
Analysis and Report
This may follow the patient session immediately or at any time thereafter and, though one
may have forgotten the particulars, all such information (including the filename of the
setup which created it) is safely stored within the MDF format.
For the purpose of generating a report the ‘Motion Analysis Database’ application will be
required but all MDFs due for reporting will need to have been processed within ‘Analyse’
to obtain gait cycles and all other derived variables.
Upon (re)loading any MDF the ‘Data configuration’ reminds us what was acquired and,
in particular, whether we have left or right leg force data to select for a report.
The ‘summary’ view should be consulted to confirm both its content and that the correct
Setup file is also loaded.