Gait assessment system BIO-FMA

automatic

Presentation
The Foot Misplacement Apparatus (FMA) is an automatic system for objective, high‑resolution assessment of gait, coordination and motor deficits in mice and rats. The system records the number, position and duration of paw misplacements as subjects traverse a horizontal ladder toward a dark goal compartment. Removable rungs and adjustable spacing enable graded task difficulty and creation of traps for cerebellar learning paradigms.

Operating principle
A start and a goal box are placed at each end of a ladder enclosed in an opaque corridor. Two arrays of 77 infrared sensors located above and below the ladder (total 154 IR sensors) detect limb contacts and misplacements. The system timestamps and records errors (front/hind paw and tail), measuring exact position and duration. Corridor width and rung spacing are adjustable to switch between mouse and rat configurations and control task difficulty.

Key features

• Fully automatic, operator‑independent scoring
• Aversive start box with cold white blinking light motivator
• Interchangeable corridors for mice and rats on a single instrument
• Two sets of 77 infrared sensors (154 total) for high spatial and temporal resolution
• USB‑powered via PC (USB compliant)

Domains of application

• Functional, toxicological and genetic models
• Toxicity and alcoholism studies
• Research on myopathy and ataxia
• Degenerative disease models (Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, osteoarthritis)
• Recovery assessment after brain or spinal cord injury

Software
The FMA software records and filters sensor data, differentiates front paw, hind paw and tail errors, and generates an exportable results file per subject (Excel compatible). Adjustable detection thresholds and automatic sorting facilitate data analysis and calculation of crossing time, error rate and time/error ratios.

Detailed experimental report parameters

• Total crossing time
• Input and output latency
• Number of errors (missteps or slips)
• Error type (front paws, hind paws or tail)
• Duration of each error
• Position of each error

Models & Accessories

• BIO-FMA-M — Foot Misplacement Apparatus for Mice
• BIO-FMA-R — Foot Misplacement Apparatus for Rats
• Accessory: BIO-FMA-VID — Video Recording

Benefits / Key advantages

• Operator‑independent, fully automatic scoring for reproducible, unbiased datasets
• High spatial and temporal resolution from infrared sensor arrays
• Adjustable ladder difficulty and removable rungs for behavioral challenge and cerebellar learning assessment
• Single instrument supports both mouse and rat corridors
• PC connectivity via USB for data handling and power

Caractéristiques / spécifications techniques

• Corridor width: 80 mm for rats, 50 mm for mice (one corridor included)
• Rung spacing: 1/3 cm (customizable)
• Overall dimensions: 124 x 28 x 20 cm (L x W x H)
• Power supply: CE 15 V standard charger (self‑powered by PC USB)
• Sampling rate: 10 ms
• Technology: 154 IR sensors (two sets of 77 above and below ladder); USB compliant
• Applications: CNS, motor control, muscular system, arthritis & osteoarthritis