Animazoo and Axtion Link to Provide Revolutionary Diagnostic Capabilites 

Doctors and physiotherapists can now make a more accurate diagnosis of patients with injuries or posture problems following a link between award-winning motion capture company, Animazoo, and software specialists aXtion.

The link will enable medical professionals to make faster, more in-depth diagnoses based on scientific data and analysis recorded using motion capture. aXtion worked with TNO, a knowledge and research organisation, to independently test motion capture systems before embarking on the project.

“This strategic link gives a whole new industry sector access to motion capture technology which, due to the complexity of optical systems, was only available to University research teams” explained Ali Kord, Founder and Chief Technology Officer at Animazoo. “The technology will be able to analyse angular velocity and magnitude of the patient's motions, translating it into data and visual imagery that is simple to understand for the physiotherapist. It brings to life the analysis of injuries for medical teams, comparing the data with that of a healthy human body, indicating precisely the problem of the patient.”

The mocap measures angles and tracks movements to provide powerful gait analysis. To use it, the physiotherapist straps the patient's body into a motion capture system consisting of special high speed gyroscopic sensors. The patient performs a series of simple exercises which show up on a computer screen as graphics.

Axtion created the biomechanical software for this specialised product. Yolanda Marani, Founder of aXtion explained: “Working with Animazoo has enabled us to import very accurate data direct from the patient into our database software system. We can now produce more scientific, diagnostic information never available before. The technology will also offer medical professionals the added benefit of comparing their patient’s problems with that of other patients around the country.”

TNO independently tested a number of mocap systems before selecting Animazoo’s IGS-190.

Wiltfried Pathuis, Scientist at TNO ICT said: “We tested a range of options and Animazoo was selected for its accuracy and ease of use. We needed a proven solution which sticks to the basics: reliable, accurate motion capture. Animazoo delivered just what aXtion needed with the IGS-190. Other solutions on the market add some interpretation or correction of the motion data onto internal (biomechanical) models and also need some calibration methods which simply cannot be performed by the patients. For this purpose it needed non-interpreted motion data. We looked at other manufacturers of inertial gyroscopic systems and optical systems but found the solutions insufficiently matching our criteria.”

Prior to the availability of motion capture, medical professionals would have to diagnose by sight what the problem was with a patient and make a recommendation for treatment. Where the benefit of a second opinion was required, a two-dimensional video would have to be despatched to the third party. This is now available online in an instant.

Online access to data also offers the additional benefit of the ability to compare other factors affecting the patient. Each recording will go into a national database to build a picture for comparison by medical professionals. The impact of factors such as the environment can be compared with other cases online.

Notes to editors:
About Animazoo
Animazoo has been at the forefront of innovation in the world of motion capture since the early 90's. Based in Brighton, the company is the manufacturer of the award winning Gypsy mocap range and the original groundbreaking gyroscopic IGS-190. It is the market leader in its field.

Portable, accurate and easy to operate, Animazoo products are used for live to air television broadcasts, live performance animation, even in assisting motorcycle designers and future astronauts.

Animazoo’s motion capture technology is used around the globe by a host of household names including; game developers such as Rockstar North – producers of Grand Theft Auto, and broadcasters including the BBC and RAI TV in Italy. Systems are also used at some of the world's most prestigious universities including Warwick, Glasgow Caledonian, Tokyo and MIT.

For further information about Animazoo visit: www.animazoo.com or call +44 (0) 1273 417440.

About Axtion
aXtion is a fast growing IT company located in the Netherlands. It was established by Yolanda Marani who has built the company to a team of 10, including IT experts and practical business management professionals. Using thorough process analysis techniques, the team creates products that not only excel in their technical ingenuity, but are also easy to apply.

The company works in a variety of sectors including social services, government and the business community. aXtion is the innovative partner that has the know-how in IT and communication, and applies business administration in developing its products and services.

For further information about Axtion visit: www.axtion.nl or call +31 (0)591 676 271.

For further press information please contact: Ruth Reynolds on tel: 07976 909044 or via email: ruth.reynolds@animazoo.com