Bioelettronica Forza User manual

User Manual v1.3
forza
Single channel amplifier
Read this manual carefully before using forza

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1GENERAL DESCRIPTION..............................................................................................................................4
2FORZA KIT CONTENT ...................................................................................................................................4
3END USER.....................................................................................................................................................4
3.1 CONTRAINDICATIONS.............................................................................................................................................. 5
3.2 SIDE EFFECTS ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
4SAFETY CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS ...........................................................................................................5
5SYMBOLS USED ON FORZA AND IN THE USER MANUAL .............................................................................6
6TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ......................................................................................................................8
7DETAILED DESCRIPTION .............................................................................................................................9
7.1 CONTROLS,INDICATORS AND ADAPTER ...................................................................................................................... 10
7.2 BATTERY CHARGE PROCESS .................................................................................................................................... 11
7.3 SYSTEM REQUIREMENT FOR PC ............................................................................................................................... 12
8 USE OF FORZA DEVICE ...............................................................................................................................12
8.1 INTENDED OF USE ............................................................................................................................................... 12
8.2 PLACE OF USE .................................................................................................................................................... 12
8.3 PC USE OF FORZA ............................................................................................................................................... 12
8.4 ANALOG MODE USE OF FORZA…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………13
8.5 FORMULA FOR THE FORCE CALCULATION ..................................................................................................................... 13
9 TROUBLESHOOTING ...................................................................................................................................13
10 FORZA MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE........................................................................................................15
11 TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS ..................................................................................................................17
12 WARRANTY .................................................................................................................................................18

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1GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The forza is single channel general purpose amplifier. This system has been designed to amplify and to filter any differential
single ended signals.
The information detected from the input are conditioned and then transferred to a PC with a wired connection (USB) or available
in analog modality on the output connector.
Forza connected to a PC via USB:
Forza works with a software named OT BioLab+ in order to display and process the data. This software is part of the Forza
system and it is also possible to download it for free on the website www.otbioelettronica.it in the Downloads section.
Forza in analog mode:
Forza can be connected to other devices (e.g. to the AUX-IN connector of the devices: EMG-USB2+, EMG-USB, Quattrocento e
MEBA) or it can be connected to a standard acquisition board or to an oscilloscope.
2FORZA KIT CONTENT
•1 single channel amplifier forza;
•1 miniUSB connection cable to recharge internal
battery and for PC connection.
•1 2,5mm 4 poles Jack - BNC cable
3END USER
USER: Specialized operator
a) Knowledge: Minimum. Basic notions about physics
b) Languages: Italian and/or English
c) Experience: Minimum. Minimum training about the device use

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d) Handicaps:
•Maximum reduction of the hearing of 40% with residual hearing at 60%;
•Maximum sight reduction of 40% with residual sight at 60%
3.1 Contraindications
Forza has no particular contraindications when used jointly with personal computers, provided that all the electrical devices
connected to it comply with safety rules and standards concerning grounding and leakage currents.
3.2 Side effects
No significant side effects are known. The materials used for manufacturing all the parts in contact with the patient are
biocompatible. Possible slight cutaneous allergic reactions (e.g. skin reddening) are reduced to a minimum during short duration
of signal acquisitions.
4SAFETY CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS
The use of forza is forbidden in the following conditions:
•Simultaneous use of electro surgery systems, shortwave or microwave therapy or near these type of devices;
•Unsound mind patient;
•The device is damaged;
•Near inflammable anaesthetics with air, oxygen or nitrous oxide.
•To make an electrocardiographic exam
These warnings must be followed:
•Contact immediately the manufacturer if foreign materials (liquids, etc.) come into contact with the device.
•If the device falls in to the ground or something similar happens, check if the device is undamaged. In case of doubt,

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contact the manufacturer.
•The forza could be sensitive to electromagnetic interferences of other devices that could alter its electromyography
measurements and consequently the variables calculated on the basis of the information detected. For this reason, do not
use it near devices that could cause the problems described above, for example mobile phones, instruments with power
transformer, etc.
•The operator must be sure that the battery of the device is completely charged following what is indicated in this User’s
Manual before to use the device.
•The device must be kept out of reach of children or unsound mind patient
•Do not clean the device using acetone, ether, freon, oil products or any other solvent
•Do not use soap or water on the connector pin
•Do not clean forza or connection cables with water, in autoclave or steam cleaning
The device must not be used in any other way than indicated in these instructions
5SYMBOLS USED ON FORZA AND IN THE USER MANUAL
Read carefully the instruction remarks before use
Serial number
Manufacturer
Do not dispose this product as unsorted municipal waste. Collection
of such waste separately for special treatment is necessary following the 2002/96/EC Law of the European Parliament
and Council of the European Union about the disposal of e-waste.

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CE marking - Device in compliance with applicable Community directives.
Read the instructions of use

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6TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
The forza device is a battery system designed following the medical regulations in order to ensure the patient safety.
The signal amplified by the system is transferred to a PC by wired USB.
In table 1 technical specifications of the forza device are reported.
TAB. 6.1: forza technical specification
Model
Forza
Classification
Battery system
Degree of Protection
IP20
Case
Painted plexiglas case
Power Supply
3,7V Battery, rechargeable
Battery time
8 Hours (full charge)
Charging time
2 hours
Numbers of Channels
1
Dynamic
0 ÷ 50 mVPP
Bandwidth
0 ÷ 33Hz
Input Noise
< 10 VRMS
Gain (digital mode)
100 V/V
Gain (analog mode)
Selectable: 100-200-500-1000 V/V
CMRR
>96 dB
Output Dynamics
0 ÷ 5 V
A/D converter resolution
24 bits
Wired transmission modality
USB
Sampling rate
100 Hz
Dimensions
59 x 95 x 20 mm
Weight
100g

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7DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Controls, indicators and connectors of the forza are shown in Fig. 1 and described in the following section.
Fig. 7.1: Front and Back view of the forza device.
Frontal view
Offset Null Button
Gain Button
Jack Output
Connector
Analog out
USB Connector
Switch
Posterior view

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7.1 CONTROLS,INDICATORS AND ADAPTER
Description of controls, indicators and connectors shown in fig.7.1:
Controls:
•Load Cell Input: This input allows the connection of bridge transducers like load cells.
•ON/OFF switch: With this switch is possible to turn off and on the forza system.
When the system is connected via USB to the PC it is automatically on, independently of the ON/OFF switch position.
•Offset Null button: this button allows you to reset the output offset of forza in the analog mode use (for digital mode
use offset reset occurs via SW).
•Gain Select button: this button allows you to change the system gains in the analog mode use (digital mode use has
fixed gain of 100V/V).
•OUT: At this connector is available the analog force signal amplified, filtered and with the possibility to delete offset
(everything is after the optical isolation of the device).
•USB connector: this connector is used to recharge battery and to transfer data from forza to PC.
LEDs:
Battery/Error
Status
Recharge
Gain

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•Battery/Error LED: This red LED is normally off, it switches on when the battery is empty, or when there are problems’
connection.
•Status LED: This LED flashes blue when forza is working.
•Recharge LED: This red LED switches on to indicate that battery is under charge. It switches off when battery is fully
recharged.
•Gain LED: This led shows the selected gain with different colors: gain 100 = led off, gain 200 = light green, gain 500 = light blue,
gain 1000 = red LED.
Adapters:
•forza adapters: The analog output signal of forza available on the output OUT can be sent to other systems with
the J - BNC adapter cable that allows to connect forza to other devices with BNC input (other custom adapters can be
developed to connect forza device to other devices that have inputs different from the classic BNC).
•USB cable - charge battery cable: The forza device has as accessory a USB cable called CUSB03 (USB –
miniUSB). This cable allows charging forza by its connection to a USB PC port or to a power supplier that incorporates
an USB output.
7.2 BATTERY CHARGE PROCESS
Behaviour of the device during battery charge process:
During the battery charge process the red Recharge LED, located on the forza right side (posterior view) becomes red till the
end of the recharge process, when the battery is fully charged the red LED switches off.
Charge the device for at least 2 hours before to use it.

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7.3 SYSTEM REQUIREMENT FOR PC
1. Windows Operating system for PC (Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8).
2. USB port to recharge the forza equipment.
8USE OF FORZA DEVICE
To use the forza system properly, please follow these instructions.
8.1 INTENDED OF USE
Forza has been designed to be used as a force measurement device for signal produced by load cells or torque-meters with
differential output.
The device is not intended to be used near inflammable anesthetics.
8.2 PLACE OF USE
Forza is intended to be used primarily as a laboratory device and secondly as a hospital device: as a home device, the patient
uses the device at home during the day and as a hospital device the operator uses the information detected from it in order to
make a diagnosis.
8.3 PC USE OF FORZA
• connect the load cell to the forza device using the Load Cell Input;
• connect the device to your PC using CUSB03 cable;
• launch the SW OT BioLab+ and select the device forza;
• create the appropriate setup and enter the values of sensitivity and full scale of the load cell;

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• delete offset via SW and proceed with the display of the signal.
8.4 ANALOG MODE USE OF FORZA
• connect the load cell to the forza device using the Load Cell Input;
• connect the device to an acquisition system using the cable called J-BNCcable;
• adjust the gain of the system using the button Gain Select;
• delete the offset using the button Offset Null.
8.5 FORMULA FOR THE FORCE CALCULATION
Vout measured [V] * F.S. [kg]
Force [kg] =
Sensibility [mV/V] * 5 [V] * Gain [V/V]
Where:
F.S. = Full-Scale, it is indicated on the load cell;
Sensibility = depends on load cell;
Gain = depends on how to use, in PC use it’s sets on SW, in analog use it’s sets with the Gain button.
9TROUBLESHOOTING
This section describes the most common problems that may be found by forza users, with some suggestions to solve them. For
problems not described in this section contact the technical support service of OT Bioelettronica.

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GENERAL PROBLEMS
Problem
Possible cause
Solution
The red LED Error is
switched-on
The battery is empty
Recharge it
Data transmission error
TAB. 10.1: Troubleshooting of the general problem that can occur using forza.

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10 FORZA MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE
Fora has to be used, transported and stored in the following ambient conditions:
Temperature: from 10°C to +40°C
Maximum relative humidity: from 30% to 75%
Atmospheric pressure: from 700 hPa to 1060 hPa
It is recommended to turn off the forza at the end of every session.
The forza should be stored with all the enclosed accessories on a safe place far from all conditions described in the Warnings
section of this manual. The forza does not need any particular maintenance procedure to work. To maintain the battery
efficiency, recharge the device before every use and check regularly the efficiency status of the battery.
If during the use and after the battery charging the battery lasts less than 1 hour, contact the manufacturer to check
the electrical source itself.
Cleaning: At the end of every use, please clean the forza with a clean cloth.
Do not clean the forza using acetone, ether, freon, oil products or any other solvent;
Do not use soap or water on the connectors pin contacts.
Do not clean the forza or its cables with water, in autoclave or with steam cleaning.
WARNING: clean electrodes adapter cable only with hospital disinfectants before every use to avoid
microbial contamination between patients and healthcare professionals.

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Disposal: The forza contains electronic parts that must be disposed of as e-waste. Dispose the device and the accessories
following local regulations. Follow the disposal regulations of your country in order to ensure the correct disposal of the forza
and its accessories. For further information about the disposal of this device, contact the Environment Department and local
authority.
Warning: Do not dispose this product as unsorted municipal waste. Collection of such
waste separately for special treatment of necessary, following the 2002/96/EC of the
European Parliament and European Council on waste electrical and electronic
equipment.
(WEEE) The regulation is not valid in case of corrupted product.
Life span of the device
The forza system is produced in order to last if the use and maintenance conditions indicated in this User’s manual are
followed. The life span of the device is determined by the life span of the battery (5 years). After this period it is
recommended to take the device to the manufacturer every two years.

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11 TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Model: forza
Risk class: I in compliance with the standard 93/42/CEE.
Classification: IP20, Protected against solid objects over 2.5mm –Not protected against falling drops of water
Case: Painted plexiglas case.
Power supply: Internal Rechargeable Li-Po battery 3.7 V
Input channels: 1 independents
Bandwidth: 0 ÷ 33 Hz
Total noise (RTI): < 10 µVRMS
Signal gain: 100 V/V for digital mode, 100-200-500-1000 V/V for analog mode (selectable)
Resolution: 24 bits
CMRR: < 96 dB
Commands: 3 pushbuttons
Dimensions: 59 x 95 x 20 mm
Weight: 100 g

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12 WARRANTY
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Forza has no parts that can be replaced or repaired by the user; contact the distributor for assistance so that he/she can repair
or replace the products under warranty.
Maintenance and replacement of parts, modifications and/or reparations made by unauthorized Companies and/or operators by
OT Bioelettronica will forfeit entitlement to warranty.
OT Bioelettronica denies any and all responsibility for damages caused directly or indirectly as a result of maintenance,
replacement of parts, modifications and/or reparations made by Companies and/or operator that are not authorized by the OT
Bioelettronica.
Forza does not need any prior maintenance.
WARRANTY
OT Bioelettronica ensures that every new product has no defects due to materials and labour and will repair and/or replace in
warranty products used following the intended use and used in the use conditions described in this manual.
Warranty lasts 2 years only after filling and signature of the warranty application form that you find below.
Warranty conditions: the obligations of OT Bioelettronica following the warranty are limited exclusively to what follows:
•reparation will be made by and no later than 30 work days after the receipt of the product and only after the
verification that the malfunctioning is not due to inadequate or inaccurate use, maintenance and /or reparation.

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If OT Bioelettronica verifies that the malfunctioning is not due to inadequate or inaccurate use or unauthorized
maintenance/reparation, the reparation costs (materials and labour) will be invoiced only after acceptation of the budget of
reparation by the owner.
These warranty conditions substitute all the other warranty conditions, explicit or implicit, included, but not within limits of the
general conditions specified in the international sale regulations.
OT Bioelettronica reserves the right to refuse the reparation of any products sent by the user for reparation; this refusal will be
conveniently explained. The only obligation of OT Bioelettronica is that of returning the product to the user at its own expenses.

Designed and produced by:
OT Bioelettronica s.r.l.
C.so Unione Sovietica 312
10135 –Torino (TO) - ITALY
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.otbioelettronica.it
[email protected]