Walkway Device and Method for Quantitative Analysis of Gait and its Modification in Rodents
First Claim
1. A method for quantitatively assessing the changes in control of asymmetric locomotor behavior of an animal comprising analyzing the phase modulation in response to imposed asymmetric stepping tasks as set forth in this application for quantitatively assessing changes in control of asymmetric locomotor behavior.
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Abstract
A system and method for quantitatively assessing the changes in control of asymmetric locomotor behavior of an animal comprising analyzing the phase modulation in response to imposed asymmetric stepping tasks for quantitatively assessing changes in control of asymmetric locomotor behavior. A walkway gait device is provided comprising an elevated grid having at least one platform having a face and at least two or more pegs located in front or back of said platform, wherein each peg has a pressure sensor or switch in communication with a detection unit for capturing the pressure detected by one or more of the pressure sensors or switches. Preferably, the grid of the walkway gait device has at least three platforms to form a closed path loop.
29 Citations
20 Claims
- 1. A method for quantitatively assessing the changes in control of asymmetric locomotor behavior of an animal comprising analyzing the phase modulation in response to imposed asymmetric stepping tasks as set forth in this application for quantitatively assessing changes in control of asymmetric locomotor behavior.
- 4. A walkway gait device comprising an elevated grid or framework having at least one platform having a face and at least two or more pegs located in front or back of said platform, each peg having a face and at least one side that extends vertically from said face, said face of said peg positioned in proximity to said face of said platform, including wherein each peg has a pressure sensor or switch, wherein one or more of said pressure sensors or switches are in communication with a detection unit for capturing the pressure detected by one or more of said pressure sensors or switches.
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12. A device for quantitative analysis of gait, comprising:
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a support framework structured to support a plurality of pegs, the plurality of pegs forming a walkway to accommodate an animal walking along the plurality of pegs, the walkway comprising a first distal end and a second distal end; a rest platform located at each of the first distal end and the second distal end; at least one sidewall affixed to the support framework adjacent the walkway; a path defined by the walkway and the at least one sidewall, the path comprising a central pathway running along its center from the first distal end to the second distal end forming a path first side and a path second side; and at least one sensor and at least one detection unit associated with at least one peg, the at least one sensor generating a signal when a foot by the animal is placed on the at least one peg and transmitting the signal to the detection unit, the detection unit detecting placement of the foot by the animal on the at least one peg; wherein each peg comprises a platform section upon which the animal places the foot when walking along the path; wherein the plurality of pegs is arranged in a linear array along the path and each peg is arranged in a staggered manner so that the platform section of each adjacent peg in the linear array is located on an opposite side of the central pathway; wherein a distance between each adjacent platform section is (d) and a distance between each consecutive platform section of a same side of the central pathway is a stride-length (SL); and wherein placement of each peg relative to other pegs and relative to the support framework is adjustable.
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13. A device for quantitative analysis of gait, comprising:
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a support framework configured as a square structure to support a plurality of pegs, the support framework comprising a first side-length, a second side-length, a third side-length, and a fourth side-length, the plurality of pegs forming a walkway along each side-length to accommodate an animal walking along the plurality of pegs, each walkway comprising a distal end located at each corner of the support framework; a rest platform located at each corner; at least one sidewall affixed to the support framework adjacent each walkway; a path defined by each walkway and the at least one sidewall adjacent thereto, the path comprising a central pathway running along its center from the distal ends of each walkway forming a path first side and a path second side; and at least one sensor and at least one detection unit associated with at least one peg within each walkway, the at least one sensor generating a signal when a foot by the animal is placed on the at least one peg and transmitting the signal to the detection unit, the detection unit detecting placement of the foot by the animal on the at least one peg; wherein each peg comprises a platform section upon which the animal places the foot when walking along the path; wherein the plurality of pegs is arranged in a linear array along the path and each peg is arranged in a staggered manner so that the platform section of each adjacent peg in the linear array is located on an opposite side of the central pathway; wherein a distance between each adjacent platform section is (d) and a distance between each consecutive platform section of a same side of the central pathway is a stride-length (SL); wherein placement of each peg relative to other pegs and relative to the support framework is adjustable; and wherein the (d) and the (SL) on an individual path are at least two parameters that define a condition. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method for quantitative analysis of gait, comprising:
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constructing a device, generating at least one path along which an animal is forced to walk during at least one walking campaign; adjusting at least one condition parameter to generate at least one condition, wherein each condition parameter is associated with the at least one path and each condition comprises devising a set of condition parameters to cause the animal to perform at least one of a symmetric locomotor task and an asymmetric locomotor task when the animal is forced to perform the at least one walking campaign; training the animal on the device by at least acclimating the animal to the at least one condition by causing the animal to perform the at least one walking campaign and/or at least one session of the at least one walking campaign; performing the at least one acclimation walking campaign and/or acclimation session until at least one of appropriate or desired inter-stride lengths are achieved for each condition and locomotor standards for each condition are met; causing the animal to perform the at least one walking campaign on the device after the training, wherein each of the at least one walking campaigns is derived by generating randomized walking sessions; and recording data obtained from the at least one walking campaign and performing data analysis of the data. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification