Miridia Technology - AcuGraph® User Manual

Before You Call Tech Support

AcuGraph has few requirements for successful operation, and most problems can be solved by checking some simple items. If you are having a problem, please check on the following items before calling technical support. This will help us provide rapid service in the event of more difficult problems and eliminate excess time spent on problems that can be quickly and easily solved by users.

First, please make sure you have read the applicable sections of this manual. The instructions in this manual have been carefully produced and exhaustively tested for accuracy. More than half the calls to Tech Support are simply because the AcuGraph user ignored the instructions in this manual. Please READ and FOLLOW the manual instructions.

The AcuGraph website (www.acugraph.com) contains more thorough troubleshooting information and answers to questions, and it is available 24 hours-a-day.

In the following text, common problems are divided into the following 4 areas:

Installation Problems
Problems Setting Up AcuGraph
Problems Taking Measurements
Printing Problems

Installation Problems:

Make sure you have followed the installation instructions in the correct order. You MUST install the software first, then you MUST install the hardware before launching AcuGraph or you will get an error.
If you have problems installing AcuGraph, it is safe to stop the installation and start over.
Reboot your computer before attempting to install the software again.
Before installing, make sure you do not have any other programs open or running.
If you are still unable to install your software, please contact technical support.

Problems Setting Up AcuGraph:

If you are upgrading from AcuGraph 1.0 or 1.1, please contact technical support for assistance with upgrading your patient database. If you are upgrading from AcuGraph 2 or 3, your patient database will be updated automatically.
If AcuGraph gives you an error that there was a problem connecting to the probe, please verify that the probe is properly plugged into your USB port. Then, quit AcuGraph, unplug the USB cable from the probe controller, wait 5 seconds, and reconnect the USB cable to the probe controller. Then launch AcuGraph again.
If there are other devices connected to the USB port or ports on your computer, try unplugging these other devices.
When you plug in your probe, you must make sure the probe and hand mass are not touching any conductive surface or each other. If the probe or bar is in contact with metal at startup, the probe may fail its internal diagnostics.

For greatest accuracy, it is recommended that you connect your AcuGraph probe DIRECTLY into your computer’s USB port, using only the provided black USB cable. Do not connect your AcuGraph probe through a USB hub, extension cord, or another USB device (like a keyboard or monitor) unless absolutely necessary. If your probe is connected through another device or hub, you may receive a warning that the measurement voltage is too low.

When you plug your AcuGraph probe into the USB port, you should hear the probe make 3 startup tones. If you do not hear any tones, and you are plugging directly into your computer, please contact technical support.

Problems Taking Measurements:

If your measurements seem too high, too low, or erroneous, please re-read the “Exam” section and make sure you are following all the recommendations for exam technique. Keep in mind that some patients measure very low and some measure very high. This is not necessarily an error.

Your AcuGraph probe contains a precision microprocessor-controlled circuit that automatically calibrates itself and takes extremely precise readings. You may find this probe more sensitive than other equipment, and you should adjust your technique accordingly. A little practice will produce great results. The AcuGraph probe never needs to be calibrated or adjusted in any way.

If you are hearing the probe tones during readings but seeing nothing on your screen, make sure you are pausing between readings. A pause of about one second is necessary for the probe controller to prepare for the next reading.

Printing Problems:

AcuGraph supports most laser and ink-jet printers. The printer you wish to use must be accessible to your computer by direct connection to your computer or through a network. Best results are obtained when graphs are printed in color, and a color printer is therefore recommended.

Before you can print from AcuGraph, you must first install the driver software supplied with your printer. Please refer to your printer’s documentation for detailed installation and operation instructions.

If you are having problems printing, first verify that your printer is working by attempting to print from another program. IF YOUR PRINTER WILL NOT PRINT FROM ANOTHER PROGRAM, YOU NEED TO CONTACT YOUR PRINTER MANUFACTURER’S TECHNICAL SUPPORT DEPARTMENT. Miridia Technology provides support for the AcuGraph products specifically, and cannot help with printing problems from other programs or that are general to the system.

If you have verified that your printer prints from another program, and not from AcuGraph, please hold down the “Shift” and “Control” keys while selecting Page Setup from the “File” menu. Set whatever settings you wish and try rinting again.

If your prints are distorted or too large for the paper, please hold down the “Shift” and “Control” keys while selecting Page Setup from the “File” menu. Set whatever settings you wish and try printing again.

If you have tried the above steps and you still cannot print properly please contact technical support.