Support

Here you will find a selection of software and downloads that will assist with the installation and running of the GENEActiv.

This support page is for GENEActiv. If you require more support, please contact us.

You may also find it useful to read our FAQs below.

GENEActiv

Software

GENEActiv Software for Microsoft Windows section link
GENEActiv Software for Apple mac OS section link
GENEActiv Example Run Data (.zip) section link

Instructions

GENEActiv Operating Instructions section link

Recycling

GENEActiv Recycling Returns Form section link

Digital Measures

Digital Measures One-pager section link

Downloads

R Markdown PA Report Example section link
R Markdown Sleep Report Example section link
Product Information Sheet section link

GENEActiv R Markdown Analysis Tools

To receive a .zip file of the Activinsights GENEActiv R Markdown analysis tools, please read the following licence terms, enter your contact and click ‘Accept’ below. You will receive an email with the .zip file so please check your inbox.

These resources are provided ‘as is’ without warranty of any kind. The resources are openly available for the research community but are restricted to use within the Activinsights ecosystem with limited rights of redistribution. The agreement clearly states it can only be used for the non-commercial analysis of raw data.

By clicking ‘Accept’ you agree to these terms. Usage is subject to the full licence agreement found in the .zip file.

Software

GENEActiv Software
for Microsoft Windows		 section link
GENEActiv Software
for Apple macOS		 section link
GENEActiv Drivers for
Microsoft Windows (.zip)		 section link
GENEActiv Example
Run Data (.zip)		 section link

Instructions

GENEActiv Operating
Instructions		 section link

Recycling

GENEActiv Recycling
Returns Form		 section link

Digital Measures

Digital Measures One-pager section link

Downloads

R Markdown PA
Report Example		 section link
R Markdown Sleep
Report Example		 section link
Product Comparison Sheet section link
Product Information Sheet section link
GENEActov R Markdown
Analysis Tools		 section link

To receive a .zip file of the Activinsights GENEActiv R Markdown analysis tools, please read the following licence terms, enter your email address and click ‘Accept’ below.

These resources are provided ‘as is’ without warranty of any kind. The resources are openly available for the research community but are restricted to use within the Activinsights ecosystem with limited rights of redistribution. The agreement clearly states it can only be used for the non-commercial analysis of raw data.

By clicking ‘Accept’ you agree to these terms. Usage is subject to the full licence agreement found in the .zip file.

Your personal information will be processed & stored in line with our Privacy Information Policy

FAQs

Have questions? No problem, you’ll be able to find all the information you need below.

Hardware FAQs

For Practitioners

Once you have received your GENEActiv device(s), allow them to fully charge in the cradle for 3 hours before configuring with the software.

This can be done via the USB port on your computer or using a USB wall plug. We recommend using a wall plug when charging your devices so that it does not interfere with the GENEActiv software. It is essential that the power supply provides 500mA on every port to ensure the devices fully charge.

A red light on the device will indicate that the device is charging. After 3 hours, a green light will flash. This indicates that you can now connect the device to the software to ensure the battery is full and the device is ready for configuration. The LED lights are just visual indicators – it is essential to check the battery level in the GENEActiv PC software for a reliable reading. When fully charged, unplug, and remove from the cradle if not configuring straight away.

It is important that GENEActiv devices are charged every 2 months for 3 hours to maintain good battery health, even when not in use. IMPORTANT: DO NOT leave GENEActiv devices on charge for longer than 3 hours at a time. Following a full 3 hour charge, the GENEActiv should have over 90% battery prior to deployment.

For Participants

Once you have received your device from your practitioner, you will not need to charge it. This will have already been done for you and the battery will last for the duration of the study.

When a unit is placed in the cradle and it is charging correctly the red light will flash (for 3 hours). The LED light will flash red or green to indicate it is charging. Any other LED light activity or inactivity indicates that the unit is not correctly seated in the cradle and the unit should be removed and then replaced.

Once the unit has been fully charged for 3 hours, the battery status should be checked by the software. It is then ready for immediate configuration and deployment. Otherwise, it should be removed from the cradle for storage.

The battery life of GENEActiv is determined by the measurement frequency selected to record. For example, recording at 100Hz lasts for 7 days and 20Hz records for 30 days.

It is important that GENEActiv devices are charged every 2 months for 3 hours to maintain good battery health, even when not in use.

The charging cradle holds 4 GENEActiv units.

Yes, the GENEActiv is fully waterproof up to 10m (IP – 1m for 24 hours). Users can therefore swim and shower whilst wearing the device. The device should be removed when entering a sauna, however.

Yes, the device is safe to wear alongside other medical equipment. The GENEActiv does not contain magnets and will not interfere with other equipment, such as pacemakers and blood pressure monitors. You should however take the device off for an MRI scan.

It is safe to take the GENEActiv through airport security and can be worn like a watch as normal. During the flight, it must be worn on the wrist or stored in carry-on luggage and not put in the hold.

Once you have configured your device, if you put the unit back into the cradle once it has started recording, it will cease recording and its current data will be lost. You should only return the device back to the cradle once data collection is complete.

The linear active thermister temperature sensor measures near-body temperature which is influenced by both the wearer and environment. The device has a range of 0 – 60 degrees Celsius, taking measurements a minimum of every 30 seconds.

The data you get from GENEActiv is the raw data so you can apply any algorithm you like to the data.

The GENEActiv is for everybody. GENEActiv has been deployed in many baby, child, adult, and elderly studies around the world. We also offer various adjustable straps which can be useful for different age groups and allow the device to be used in multiple body locations.

Yes, the GENEActiv is widely validated by researchers across the globe. Please visit our publications section for more information

Typically, most studies are carried out with the device worn on the wrist. However, we offer different strap options in a range of materials so that the device can be used in multiple body locations including waist, ankle and chest.

To clean the GENEActiv, wipe with a cloth or scrub with a soft bristle brush using warm soapy water or a mild detergent solution and allow to air dry. Alcohol wipes and mild sterilising solutions are also appropriate.

To disinfect the GENEActiv, use a Clinell Universal Wipe or equivalent product. Thoroughly cover and wipe the device so all surfaces are wetted. Ensure the device is allowed time to air dry completely before next use. Change the wipe if it becomes dry or soiled and dispose of it appropriately.

If the GENEActiv is excessively soiled, we recommend removing the wrist strap to clean the parts separately. Should wrist straps become increasingly worn, additional straps can be purchased and easily replaced.

The charging cradle can be cleaned with a dry cloth.

GENEActiv units should be stored at temperatures between 5-35 degrees Celsius to ensure optimal battery life.

IMPORTANT: It is important that GENEActiv devices are charged every 2 months for 3 hours to maintain good battery health, even when not in use.

The software may not recognise the device due to lack of charge, a poor connection or because the device has gone into reset mode.

The GENEActiv includes protective circuitry which prevents it connecting to the GENEActiv PC Software if the battery is not sufficiently charged. This prevents data loss which could occur if the GENEActiv battery ran out of power during extraction. Ensure the GENEActiv is regularly charged to allow it to connect to the software on demand. Please see {Link to ‘how to charge my device’} for best practice on charging the GENEActiv.

The device may not be connecting due to one of the following three reasons:

Insufficient Battery
There is insufficient battery life in the device. This is prevalent in devices that have not been charged or used regularly and it may have gone into reset mode. Charging a device once may not be enough to take it out of reset mode.

Poor Connection
The GENEActiv charges and connects to the software through the gold contacts on the device and the gold pins in the charging cradle.

  • Ensure all 8 contacts and pins are clean and free from any residue. Please see our cleaning guidance here {Link to the cleaning FAQ above}.
  • Try removing and re-entering the device into the charging cradle. The device needs to be seated correctly and should clip into the charging cradle with an audible click.
  • Try a different position in the charging cradle as any damage or wear to the gold pins or clear plastic clips on the charging cradle may impair the connection.
  • Do NOT move or disturb the cradle whilst connected to the PC software or whilst charging.

USB Error

If neither the battery nor connection are the cause, the device may have seen a rare USB error. USB errors are often accompanied by a constant red light on the device.

There is a simple process that can be followed to take the device out of reset mode. This should not affect the data on the device and once out of reset mode, data should be available to download as normal.

  • Give the device(s) a full charge by placing it in the charging cradle for 3 hours (preferably via a USB wall plug).
  • Once complete, remove the device(s) from the charging cradle and set aside overnight (this is important).
  • The next day, give the device(s) a second full charge in the cradle for a further 3 hours.
  • The device should now be out of reset mode. It should now connect to the software as intended. You can check the battery status of the device via the GENEActiv software.
  • Once out of reset mode, you should complete a 7-day test by following the instructions below.

If you continue to experience issues with charging or connecting devices to the software please contact us via email {info@activinsights.com}.

Following a reset, how can I ensure my device is working correctly?

After resetting your device(s), we recommend that you carry out a 7-day test to ensure your device is collecting data correctly.

To do this, configure a fully charged GENEActiv to collect data at 100Hz for 7 days.

After 7 days of data has been collected, connect the GENEActiv to the software. Check that 90% of the memory has been used and that the device has an acceptable amount of battery left. We would normally expect devices to have around 40% battery remaining after a 7-day test (this may vary depending on the age of the device).

If both the battery and memory are working as expected, you can then reconfigure your device to be used again in the field.

After resetting your device(s), we recommend that you carry out a 7-day test to ensure your device is collecting data correctly.

To do this, configure a fully charged GENEActiv to collect data at 100Hz for 7 days.

After 7 days of data has been collected, connect the GENEActiv to the software. Check that 90% of the memory has been used and that the device has an acceptable amount of battery left. We would normally expect devices to have around 40% battery remaining after a 7-day test (this may vary depending on the age of the device).

If both the battery and memory are working as expected, you can then reconfigure your device to be used again in the field.

Software FAQs

The GENEActiv software allows you to set up the device and extract raw data as a .bin file. The software offers capabilities to convert this into .csv compressed epoch files, which are readable in Excel. The raw data .bin files and .csv epoch files provide endless further analysis opportunities using analysis packages you are familiar with such as R and Matlab.

The download can take up to 20 minutes for 4 units with full data collection.

Data Acquisition & Analysis

Data Acquisition & Analysis

ActivInsights supports the analysis of data from our professional wearables and other connected devices.

Algorithm Development

Algorithm Development

ActivInsights’ long-standing commitment to open data formats and open algorithms has provided a platform for hundreds of algorithm developers to create new techniques.

Secure data infrastructure with privacy by design

Data Infrastructure

ActivInsights has secure, privacy-by-design data infrastructure to support the timely retrieval of data from the field and delivery of analysed outputs into studies.

How can we help you?

Our friendly team have extensive experience in remote monitoring technology and can advise you on what products and services will best suit your project needs. Contact us to discuss your requirements.

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