Automated FTIR-based gait analysis system for quantitative locomotor assessment in mice and rats, measuring step patterns, coordination, and kinematic parameters without pretraining requirements.
Director of Science · ConductScience
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From 2021 to 2025, 821 animal research papers mentioned gait analysis. The count covers the test on any apparatus, not only this one.
The FTIR Walkway provides automated gait analysis for rodents using frustrated total internal reflection technology. The system captures detailed locomotor parameters including step patterns, footprint positioning, inter-leg coordination, and temporal gait characteristics without requiring animal pretraining. Available in mouse (80cm length) and rat (104cm length) configurations, the walkway features acrylic glass construction with integrated mirror bases for comprehensive paw print visualization.
The system quantifies multiple kinematic parameters including instantaneous and average speed, swing time, stance time, step length, footprint area, and body linearity indices. This approach offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional gait analysis methods while providing both qualitative and quantitative motor performance assessments for neuroscience and motor function research applications.
The FTIR Walkway operates on the principle of frustrated total internal reflection, where light propagating through the acrylic glass walkway surface undergoes total internal reflection except at contact points where the animal's paws create optical disruption. When a paw contacts the walkway surface, the refractive index change at the glass-tissue interface allows light to escape, creating bright illumination of the contact area against a dark background.
The integrated mirror system positioned beneath the walkway enables simultaneous capture of paw prints and lateral body movement, providing comprehensive visualization of gait patterns. Video recording captures the temporal sequence of paw contacts, allowing extraction of kinematic parameters including swing and stance phases, step frequency, and coordination patterns between limbs.
Post-acquisition analysis quantifies multiple gait parameters from the recorded footprint sequences, including instantaneous and average walking speeds, individual and average step lengths, swing and stance times for each limb, footprint contact areas, and body linearity indices that reflect postural stability during locomotion.
These IDs come from NCBI Taxonomy. Use them in data records and methods sections.
NCBITaxon:10090 NCBITaxon:10116 | Measurement | Mouse | Rat |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 80 cm | 104 cm |
| Wall height | 15 cm | 19 cm |
| Feature | This Product | Typical Alternative | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walkway Length Options | 80cm mouse and 104cm rat configurations with species-optimized dimensions | Fixed-length systems often require single size for multiple species | Species-appropriate dimensions ensure natural gait patterns and reduce wall contact artifacts during assessment. |
| Detection Method | FTIR-based optical detection providing clear paw contact visualization | Pressure sensors or camera systems may require threshold adjustments | Optical detection captures actual contact area without pressure sensitivity settings or calibration drift issues. |
| Pretraining Requirements | No pretraining required for immediate testing capability | Many systems require multiple habituation sessions | Eliminates training variables and reduces study duration while minimizing animal stress from repeated handling. |
| Mirror Integration | Integrated mirror system for simultaneous top and lateral view capture | Separate camera systems or single-view analysis | Comprehensive gait analysis including body posture and limb coordination from single recording session. |
| Parameter Scope | Multi-parameter analysis including speed, timing, coordination, and spatial metrics | Limited parameter sets in basic walkway systems | Comprehensive motor assessment reduces need for multiple testing apparatus and enables detailed phenotyping studies. |
The FTIR Walkway provides species-optimized automated gait analysis with optical detection technology, integrated mirror visualization, and comprehensive parameter quantification. The no-pretraining design and dual-species compatibility offer practical advantages for research applications requiring detailed motor function assessment.
| Model | Size | SKU | Listed price | Status | Shipping box |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mouse | Length 80 cm · Wall height 15 cm | ME-4151 | $2,300.00 | Available | 43.2 × 38.0 × 27.9 cm |
| Rat | Length 104 cm · Wall height 19 cm | ME-4152 | $2,400.00 | Available | 43.2 × 38.0 × 27.9 cm |
Verify spatial calibration using known reference objects before each experimental session to ensure accurate step length and footprint area measurements.
Why: Spatial accuracy is critical for detecting small changes in gait parameters between treatment groups or across time points.
Clean the acrylic glass surface with appropriate solvents that maintain optical clarity without damaging the FTIR properties.
Why: Surface contamination can reduce footprint contrast and affect automated detection algorithms.
Allow animals to acclimate to the testing environment for several minutes before recording to reduce stress-related gait alterations.
Why: Acute stress can modify normal locomotor patterns and confound motor function assessments.
Record multiple walking passes per animal and average parameters to account for natural variability in gait patterns.
Why: Single-pass measurements may not represent typical locomotor performance due to exploration or hesitation behaviors.
If footprint contrast is poor, check lighting alignment and ensure the acrylic surface is clean and free of scratches.
Why: Optimal FTIR requires proper light propagation and clear interface between the walkway surface and animal paws.
Ensure walkway walls are appropriate height for the species being tested to prevent falls while allowing natural walking behavior.
Why: Wall height affects animal confidence and natural gait patterns while providing necessary containment during testing.
ConductScience provides a standard one-year manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, with technical support available for setup, calibration, and operational guidance.
An alternative to the conventional method was provided by Hamers, Lankhorst, van Laar, Veldhuis, and Gispen, W.H. (2001), who developed an automated apparatus for gait analysis. However, their device did not allow flexibility over the parameters that could be observed and recorded. Further, most automated devices in addition to limiting the flexibility of parameter observations also tend to be expensive. The fTIR Walkway, on the other hand, is a relatively inexpensive automated device that allows a qualitative and quantitative measure of motor performances.
The fTIR Walkway device consists of a 12 × 8 × 7 inch chamber that is equipped with a guillotine door. The testing area is 7 × 8 inch with a 5 × 8 inch start area. The chamber is supported by support posts off the surface with the help of post clamps. Under the chamber, a 45° angled mirror (12 × 8 inches) is placed. The cool white background backlight is provided using LED lights (12 × 8 inches) above the walkway. Additionally, the apparatus comes with eight ceramic cups having 2.5 inch diameter and a height of 1.5 inches.
Clean the apparatus before and after use to prevent any lingering stimuli from affecting the subject’s performance and quality of video recording. The apparatus does not require any pretraining. The tests can be initiated simply by placing the subject on the walkway and recording the performance.
Investigation of the gait of free moving mice
Wild-type C57BL/6J mice were evaluated for their motor functions on the fTIR Walkway device. It was observed that the initial contact involved the entire paw touching the surface almost simultaneously with prominent pressure being exerted by the metatarsal and metacarpal pads on the hind and forelegs, respectively. The pressure was observed to be gradually transferred rostrally to the toes before liftoff in the stance phase. It was further observed that up to one-third of the stance phase is dedicated to supporting by toes, which was found to be independent of the walking speed. Toe spreading was observed at the end of the swing phase 20 to 30 ms before ground contact, indicating an active neuronal control. It was also observed that faster subjects displayed approximately 20% longer step strides and shorter phase stance of about 50 ms (minimum) in comparison to slower subjects. (Mendes et al., 2015)
The fTIR Walkway allows automated recording of motor and locomotion parameter including step patterns, footprint positioning, inter-leg coordination, and footprint contact parameters. The following set of kinematic parameters can be recorded in the fTIR Walkway device:
Strengths
The fTIR Walkway is an automated device. Therefore, human errors are significantly reduced during the investigation. The device, in comparison to other automated devices, is inexpensive and provides flexibility of observing additional parameters of locomotion and motor capabilities of the subjects. The device does not require any pretraining and testing procedures are simple and straightforward. Thus, the assessment procedure is relatively faster in comparison to other methods. When compared to tests like the Gait Test, the fTIR Walkway doesn’t require any additional supplies such as ink, nor does it use an aversive motivation such as fear of falling. Hence, the subjects are not affected by external factors like stress and anxiety. The acrylic glass surface allows a better fTIR signal-to-noise ratio in comparison to glass, thus allowing more contact between the subject’s paws and the walking surface.
Limitations
The acrylic glass scratches more easily than glass. Thus it may lead to interference with the fITR signal and subsequent tracking. This can be rectified by replacing the scratched glass. Repeated trials on the fTIR Walkway may cause muscle fatigue in the subjects. Allowing rest periods between each trial is important. Factors such as strain, species, age, and sex can also affect performance. Subject’s own emotional and mental status can also influence the results.
Hamers, F.P., Lankhorst, A.J., van Laar, T.J., Veldhuis, W.B., & Gispen, W.H. (2001). Automated quantitative gait analysis during overground locomotion in the rat: its application to spinal cord contusion and transection injuries. Journal of Neurotrauma, 18(2):187-201.
Mendes, C. S., Bartos, I., Márka, Z., Akay, T., Márka, S., & Mann, R. S. (2015). Quantification of gait parameters in freely walking rodents. BMC Biology, 13(1). doi:10.1186/s12915-015-0154-0
From the Maze Engineers documentation for this apparatus.
What temporal resolution can be achieved for gait parameter measurements?
Temporal resolution depends on video recording frame rate; the system measures swing time, stance time, and step frequency parameters, with measurement precision in milliseconds and cycles per second as specified in the parameter list.
How does the FTIR detection compare to pressure-sensitive walkway systems?
FTIR detection provides optical visualization of actual paw contact areas without requiring pressure thresholds, potentially offering more sensitive detection of partial weight-bearing or altered gait patterns compared to pressure-based systems.
What cleaning protocols are recommended between animals?
The acrylic glass surface should be cleaned thoroughly between subjects to eliminate residual odors that could influence animal behavior; consult product datasheet for specific cleaning solution compatibility.
Can the system detect subtle gait asymmetries in disease models?
Yes, the system quantifies individual limb parameters including step length, swing time, and stance time for each paw, enabling detection of left-right asymmetries and inter-limb coordination deficits.
What video recording specifications are recommended?
Recording requirements depend on desired temporal resolution for gait analysis; consult product datasheet for recommended frame rates and camera positioning for optimal footprint visualization.
How is spatial calibration maintained across experimental sessions?
The system requires spatial calibration using known reference dimensions to ensure accurate step length and footprint area measurements; calibration procedures should be verified regularly to maintain measurement accuracy.
What analysis software is compatible with the recorded data?
The system captures standard video output that can be analyzed using various gait analysis software packages; specific software compatibility and data export formats should be confirmed with product documentation.
ConductVision is our video-tracking software. Record your sessions on video, and it reports the measures listed below.
This test needs the Advanced Rodent Module, an add-on to the ConductVision license.
A 5-year license is $3,990 in total.
The Advanced Rodent Module runs on this license. On its own, the license scores standard tests such as the open field, the elevated plus maze, the Y-maze and the Morris water maze. Results export as CSV files.
A 5-year module license is $3,990 in total, the same as the 5-year base license.
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