Infotronic GONIO Sensors

The comprehensive range of this Goniometers and Torsiometers are ideal for quick, simple, and accurate measurement of joint movement in multiple planes. This sensors are lightweight and flexible, the sensors can be comfortably worn undetected under clothing, without hindering the actual movement of the joint.

This sensors are sold separately or as part of complete Infotronic ULTRAFLEX GAITANALYSIS measurement system. Available systems also include instrumentation for static angle readout, dynamic on line data acquisition in 2 to 16 channel configurations, or fully portable data collection in combination with 16 Channel CDG-footpressure measurement and /or 16 channel EMG all simultainously measured.

In general, there are no fixed rules governing which size of sensor is most suitable for a particular joint; this depends on the size of the subject. The sensor must be capable of reaching across the joint so that the two endblocks can be mounted where the minimum movement occurs between the skin and the underlying skeletal structure. In certain circumstances more than one size of sensor will be appropriate. The following table is given for guidance only and refers to an adult population. Size used will vary within pediatrics.

Applications

TWIN AXIS GONIOMETERS XM65, XM110, XM110/A, XM180, XM180/B

The "XM" series twin axis Goniometers simultaneously measure angles in up to two planes on movement. For example, to measure wrist movements, the endblocks of the XM65 Goniometer are attached on the dorsal surface using double sided tape, one end over the third metacarpal, the other over the midline of the forearm, with the wrist in the neutral position. The fixation of our goniometers on the lower extremitys you can see at goniofix  The Goniometer has two separate output connectors, one is measuring flexion/extension, the other radial/ulnar deviation. When used to measure a single axis joint such as the knee or elbow, or when measuring a single plane of a twin axis joint, simply connect one channel, the other remains redundant. All twin axis XM series Goniometers function the same way, the difference being physical size. 

Sensor Specifications

Specifications (refer to figure 1) 

Transducer type: strain gauge

Life* 300,000 cycles typical

Accuracy ±2º measured over a range of 90º

Repeatability better than ±1º measured over a range of 90º

Operating temperature range +10ºC to +40ºC

*Life test results have been collected by cycling the sensors through movements that would happen during everyday use. For example, placing a sensor on an adult elbow and moving from the neutral position to maximum flexion and back to the neutral position, the unit will function for typically 300,000 cycles.

Selected References

Research Using Biometrics' Electrogoniometers and /or Electrotorsiometers

1. Comparison of Cervical Flexion in Shop Assistants and Data Input VDT Operators - Parsons, C.; Thompson, D.; Proceedings of the Ergonomic Society's 1990 Annual Conference, Leeds England; 299-303 "The aim of this study was to obtain a quantitative comparison of the neck posture and range of neck movements during normal work of shop assistants and data input VDT operators. 24 subjects were monitored throughout the working day using electrogoniometers and datalogger recording system"

2. Continuous Measurement of Lumbar Posture Using Flexible Electrogoniometers - Boocock, M.; Jackson, J.; Burton, A.; Tillotson, K.; 1991 "A field based study, involving 4 garage mechanics, was undertaken to examine the usability and acceptability of the electrogoniometer technique for continuous measurements. Lumbar curvature was monitored continuously for a two hour period during the course of the mechanics' working day. The technique has the potential to provide quantitative information on lumbar posture necessary for non-invasive, biomechanical investigations of spinal loading, and will be particularly useful for both sporting and occupational ergonomics field studies"

3. Flexible Goniometer Computer System for the Assessment of Hip Function - The Clinical Biomechanics Award 1988; Rowe, P., MSc; Nicol, A., PhD; Kelly, I., MD, FRCS; Clinical Biomechanics 1989, 4: 68-72 " Flexible electrogoniometers were used to record the motion of both hips and knees in total hip replacement patients. Four flexible electrogoniometers are used to measure the flexion-extension angles of both hips and both knees. The electrogoniometer system has proved capable of quantifying the functional status of hip replacement patients simply and economically within the clinical environment."

4. Ambulatory Monitoring of the Pressures Beneath Compression Bandages - Sockalingham, S.; Barbenel, J.; Queen, D,; CARE Science and Practice, Vol.8 , No. 2; 75-79 "An integrated study on the performance of bandages which related pressures generated by the bandages to mechanical laboratory tests has highlighted the influence of posture on the interface pressures generated by these devices. The continuous ambulatory pressure monitoring system consisted of three elements, the pressure sensing device, a goniometer to determine the position of the leg, and the Datalogger for recording the out put of the measuring devices. The goniometer allowed the stand/sit/lie sequence to be identified relatively easily. The effect of posture was also seen in the long-term measurements."

5. Gait Analysis in Children with Cerebral Palsy Using Electrogoniometers - Cosgrove, A.; Graham, H.; Mollan, R.; British Orthopaedic Research Society Meeting, 24 Sept 91 "To date we have assessed 51 children with cerebral palsy, aged three to seventeen years. The system consists of biaxial goniometers which are attached to the skin with adhesive tape. The data is stored in small portable datalogger which can record up to four channels simultaneously. We have verified the accuracy of the goniometers to be better than two degrees of arc and have discovered no baseline drift. The results from this simple system we have found to be as reliable as any in the literature."

6. The Use of Therapeutic Electrical Stimulation in the treatment of Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy - Hazelwood, M.; Brown, J.; Rowe, P.; Salter, P.; Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 1994, 36, 661-673 "This study attempted to evaluate the effect of electrical stimulation of the anterior tibial muscles of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy on the gait pattern and the range of active and passive dorsiflexion of the ankle. Twenty children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy within the age range of five to twelve years were included in the study. Electrogoniometry was used to measure passive knee flexion, knee extension, dorsiflexion with the knee flexed, dorsiflexion with the knee extended (wit the hindfoot held in neutral) and plantarflexion. Electrogoniometry was used to record dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the ankle as the child walked. Foot switches were placed under the sole and heel of the foot and simultaneously recorded the pattern of contact of the foot with the floor so that the temporal parameters of the gait cycle could be analyzed. The use of electrogoniometers for gait analysis proved successful, and could provide therapists and physicians with a relatively cheap and versatile means of quantitatively monitoring gait pattern and the effects of therapy."

7. Single Case Experiment to Investigate a Short Term Stretching Programme for Ankle Equinus - Rome, K., BSc(Hons), DPodM, MChS; Clark, A.,DPodM; JBritPodMed 1994, 49:2; 19-23 "The aim of this study is to evaluate a short term stretching programme for ankle equinus, using a high load, brief stretch tenique. The single case study has demonstrated the flexible electrogoniometer as a reliable instrument which is easy to use in the clinical setting."

8. A Reliability Study of the Universal Goniometer, Fluid Goniometer, and Electrogoniometer for the Measurement of Ankle Dorsiflexion - Rome, K., M.Sc., B.Sc. (Hons), S.R.Ch.; Cowieson, F., M.Phil., M.C.S.P., Cert.Ed.; Foot & Ankle International, Vol 17, No. 1; January 1996, 28-32 "This study investigated the reliability of three goniometers, the universal, fluid, and electrogoniometers, in the measurement of ankle dorsiflexion. Intra- and interobserver reliability were assessed using 10 healthy volunteers and five observers. The results demonstrate that when using a highly standardized procedure, the flexible electrogoniometer (SD2.1-4.0) and the fluid goniometer (SD 2.8-4.3) were within an accepted criterion for reliability, suggesting good intra device reliability."

9. Reliability of Hindfoot Goniometry when Using a Flexible Electrogoniometer - Ball, P., BA; Johnso, G., PhD, CEng, FIMechE; Clinical Biomechanics 1993; 8: 13-19 "The clinical assessment of subtalar motion forms an essential part of the examination of the pathological foot. Furthermore, the establishment of the subtalar neutral position is required for the production of many foot orthoses. This paper describes the use of an electrogoniometer for making the relevant measurements and examines the important aspects of the clinical procedure. These results combined with the ease of use and the lack of need for alignment make this goniometer ideal for measurement of the hindfoot."

10. Dynamic Analysis of Wrist Circumduction: a New Application of the Biaxial Flexible Electrogoniometer - Ojima, H., MD; Miyake, S., PhD; Kumashiro, M., PhD; Togami, H., Meng; Suzuki, K., MD; Clinical Biomechanics 1991; 6: no 4; 221-229 "This paper shows the reliability and validity of biaxial electrogoniometric analysis in the quantification of wrist circumduction. The reliability tests demonstrated sufficient accuracy of the device. Also, validity of the measurement was recognized because the tests simulating wrist circumduction and cineradiography revealed that it could accurately detect the angle between the long axis of the forearm and the third metacarpal bone."

11. Disorders of the Neck and Upper Limbs in Women in the Fish Processing Industry - Ohlsson, K.; Hansson, G.; Balough, I.; Stromberg, U.; Palsson, B.; Norander, C.; Rylander, L.; Skerfving, S.; Occupational and Enviornmental Medicine 1994, 51: 826-832 "Wrist angles of the dominant hand were measured for 32 randomly selected women during a total of 40 representative 20 minute work periods. A two axis electrogoniometer and a Datalogger were used for recording the flexion and extension, and the deviation angles of the wrist. The angular distributions, the angular velocity distributions, and the power spectra, were calculated to characterize the wrist movements during work."

12. Quantifying work load in Neck, Shoulders and wrists in Female Dentists - Akesson, I.; Hansson, G.; Balough, I.; Moritz, U.; Skerfving, S.; Int Arch Occup Environ Health (1997) 69:461-474 "Twelve right-handed female dentists (six with and six without a history of definite neck/shoulder disorders, pair-wise matched for age) were studied when performing authentic dental work. There were large differences between the right and left hands, regarding both wrist angles and dynamic parameters. We found extremely dorsiflexed positions of the dominant hand, as well as a combination of extreme palmer flexion and ulnar deviation in the non dominant one. This may be of pathological importance."

13. A New Technique for the Assessment of Wrist Movement Using a Biaxial Flexible Electrogoniometer - Rawes, M.; Richardson, J.; Dias, J.; Journal of Hand Surgery (British and European Volume, 1996) 21B: 5: 600-603 "A new electrogoniometer tenique is described for the measurement of wrist movements, including circumduction, with the results being displayed as figures. Clinical validation has been performed and the system found to be highly accurate and reliable. It is suggested this tenique should in the future be used to assess wrist movement in clinical and research applications."

14. Position of the Wrist Associated with the lowest Carpal Tunnel Pressure: Implications for Splint Design - Weiss, N., MD; Gordon, L., MD; Bloom, T.; So, Y., MD; Rempel, D., MD; Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol 77-A, No. 11, November 1995; 1695-1699 "To determine the position of the wrist that results in the lowest carpal tunnel pressure, twenty control subjects and four patients who had carpal tunnel syndrome were evaluated with use of a new, dynamic method that continuously measures carpal tunnel pressure throughout the range of motion of the wrist. A two-axis electrogoniometer...was used to measure continuously the flexion or extension angle as well as the radial or ulnar deviation of the wrist."

15. Evaluation of Potential Interventions at a Fridge Assembly Work Place - McRobbie, H.; Wells, R.; Proceedings of the 28th Annual Conference of the Human Factors Association of Canada; 1996, 97-1002 "This study examined the effects of using an overhead tool balancer and job rotation during appliance manufacturing. Muscular activity was quantified using EMG of the forearm flexors, forearm extensors, and trapezius, and wrist posture was quantified using wrist goniometers."

16. Goniometer Measurement and Computer Analysis of Wrist Angles and Movements Applied to Occupational Repetitive Work - Hansson, G.; Balogh, I.; Ohlsson, K.; Rylander, L.; Skerfving, S.; Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, Vol 6, No. 1, 1996; 23-35 "The method was applied in field studies of fish processing industry workers with highly repetitive work and risk of CTD. A biaxial flexible electrogoniometer and datalogger were used for recording of flexion and deviation angles of the wrist of the dominant hand. In order to evaluate this fraction [forearm rotation transferred to the goniometer], a torsiometer, sensitive only to rotation and not influenced by flexion or deviation, was attached to the wrist. Our method gave objective and quantitative information concerning both static and dynamic aspects of workload on the wrist. It is time efficient due to the automated analysis and well suited for field measurements in epidemiological studies."

17. Development of an Electrogoniometer Calibration Procedure for Measurement of Wrist Angle and Forearm Rotation - Spielholz, P.; Advances in Occupational Ergonomics and Safety, 1998; 499-502 "A jig was constructed for this study that allowed direct measurement of flexion/extension, radial/ulnar deviation, and forearm supination/pronation. These results show that the electrotorsiometer may give accurate results and could be used with an electrogoniometer to produce more accurate measurements than previously reported for the full range of wrist/arm motion."

18.Choice and Measurement of Angular Variables for Biomechanical 3D Analysis and Simulation, Discussion of Results Collected by a Commercial System - Casolo, F.; Legnani, G.; Paper presented at First World Congress of Biomechanics, San Diego, 1990; Published by Instituto Degli Azionmenti Meccanici, Politecnico di Milano, 1990 "This paper deals with the experimental measure and the theoretical representation of the angular position of a rigid body in the 3-D space. The main features are summarized and compared with the parameters measured by a rather new electro-goniometer. The model proved to be enough accurate to be used in many standard situations; its accuracy was confirmed by experimental tests."

19. Clinical Methods of Goniometry: a Comparative Study -Goodwin, J.; Clark, C.; Deakes, J.; Burdon, D.; Lawrence, C.; Disability and Rehabilitation, 1992; Vol 14, No.1; 10-15 "This investigation compared the reliability and interchangeable use of three currently available goniometers - a universal goniometer, a fluid goniometer, and a electrogoniometer. Three consecutive readings of the active range of movement of the right elbow joint were taken from each of 23 healthy female volunteers; three experienced observers each used each type of goniometer on two occasions. Significant intertester differences were found to exist for both the universal and fluid goniometers. However, no significant differences were found between any of the testers with respect to the electrogoniometer. It therefore appears reasonable to suggest that, with respect to reducing intertester differences, the electrogoniometer is preferable."

20. Measurement of Joint Motion - Nicol, A., PhD; Clinical Rehabilitation 1989; 3: 1-9 "A more compact instrument has been developed, where a flexible steel strip has been strain gauged and the output of angle is independent of the shape of the strip within the plane of measurement. The device is very lightweight and the electrogoniometers can be worn beneath clothing, so the subject can move without inhibition. ...Tests using angular motion of the hip and knee joints...assessment of gait ...gait of amputees and patients cerebral palsy...assessing the postoperative performance of arthritic patients receiving the Souter-Strathclyde elbow prosthesis. It can be seen that electrogoniometers can provide information otherwise not available in a clinical environment."

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