Gait analysis device for small animals
By designing a small animal gait analysis device, and using pressure sensors and cameras in combination with simulated caves to simulate the natural environment, the problems of data distortion and single data collection in small animal behavior monitoring were solved, and multi-dimensional data collection and efficient experimentation were achieved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- FOURTH MILITARY MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
- Filing Date
- 2026-04-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-24
Smart Images
Figure CN122440169A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of laboratory animal behavior monitoring technology, and in particular to a small animal gait analysis device. Background Technology
[0002] In scientific research in fields such as biomedicine, neuroscience, and psychology, monitoring the behavior of experimental animals is a core step in obtaining experimental data and verifying research hypotheses. Commonly used monitoring scenarios include open field experiments and monitoring of spontaneous activity experiments.
[0003] The monitoring methods in existing technologies have the following core flaws: 1. The lack of simulated natural living environment for animals leads to animals being in unfamiliar and stressful environments, resulting in significant differences in their behavior compared to their natural state. This directly causes distortion of behavioral experimental data and a significant reduction in the accuracy and reliability of experimental results. 2. The data collection is limited to a single dimension, relying mostly on observation to collect data, which leads to data homogeneity and inaccuracy. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the problems of single data acquisition method, data acquisition distortion, and data acquisition efficiency in the existing technology by proposing a small animal gait analysis device.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: Design a small animal gait analysis device, including a collection area consisting of a collection chamber and a support base. The collection chamber is fixed above the support base. Above the collection area is a device platform, which consists of a crossbar, support columns, sliders, and a handle. The support columns are welded to the top of the collection chamber and are symmetrical about the center of the collection chamber. Crossbars are installed on the two support columns and fixed with nuts. Sliders are inserted through the crossbars, and there are slide rails on the crossbars. The inner wall of the sliders has wedges that match the slide rails. The handle is welded to the upper surface of the sliders, and a camera unit is set on the lower surface of the sliders. The camera unit consists of a supplementary light and a high-speed camera embedded below the sliders. The collection chamber contains an animal activity area, a gait collection unit, and a control terminal unit.
[0006] Preferably, the animal activity area includes a floor, a mat, and a feeding area. The floor is embedded in a support base, and several pressure sensors are arranged in an array between the floor and the support base. The floor surface is covered with a mat, and a food trough is placed on one side of the mat surface.
[0007] Preferably, the gait acquisition unit includes a simulated cave and a roller assembly, wherein the simulated cave is placed on the surface of the mat.
[0008] Preferably, the roller assembly includes a roller, a support, and a thin film. The support is welded to the inner wall of the collection chamber, and the roller is inserted between two supports. The thin film is wrapped in the middle of the roller and extends onto the mat and passes through the simulated cave.
[0009] Preferably, the control terminal unit includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a display terminal. The input terminal of the CPU is electrically connected to the pressure sensor, the high-speed camera, and the output terminal of the supplementary light, and the output terminal of the CPU is electrically connected to the display terminal. The CPU includes a data acquisition module, an image processing module, and a behavior recognition module. The image processing module incorporates a deep learning-based experimental animal behavior recognition algorithm for target recognition, activity trajectory tracking, and behavior classification of image data acquired by the high-speed camera. The behavior recognition module calculates the real-time weight, activity location, activity frequency, and duration of stay in the area of the experimental animal based on the pressure change data from the pressure sensor.
[0010] Preferably, the pressure sensor is a thin-film pressure sensor, and the array is evenly distributed between the support base and the floor, with a quantity of 4 to 6 sensors. The spacing between adjacent pressure sensors is 2-5 cm, forming a pressure distribution acquisition matrix covering the entire activity area. This matrix is used to collect pressure change data when the experimental animal moves on the floor, thereby obtaining the animal's real-time weight, activity frequency, location distribution, and duration of stay in the area.
[0011] Preferably, the supplementary light is an infrared supplementary light, and there are 2 to 4 of them, which are evenly distributed around the inner wall of the slider. The light intensity of the supplementary light is 5-20 lux and the wavelength range is 850-940 nm. It is used to provide a shooting light source for the high-speed camera without interfering with the natural behavior of the experimental animals.
[0012] Preferably, the mat is a flexible sound-absorbing mat to reduce environmental noise generated by animal activities; the mat can be removed and replaced.
[0013] Preferably, the thin film paper is used to collect footprints of experimental animals, which facilitates the analysis of the animals' gait.
[0014] The small animal gait analysis device proposed in this invention has the following advantages: This invention utilizes an array of pressure sensors and a high-speed camera to simultaneously collect behavioral image data and pressure change data of experimental animals, thereby achieving the synchronous acquisition of behavioral performance and physiological activity data and improving the comprehensiveness of experimental data.
[0015] This invention allows for the adjustment of the position of a high-speed camera by moving a slider using a handle, enabling flexible capture of images of experimental animals and significantly improving the range and accuracy of data acquisition.
[0016] This invention significantly reduces stress responses in experimental animals by setting up food troughs inside the collection chamber and simulating the natural habitat and activity environment of experimental animals through simulated caves and flexible soundproof pads. This avoids distortion of behavioral data caused by animal stress and greatly improves the accuracy and reliability of experimental data. At the same time, the thin film paper can collect animal footprint samples simultaneously, realizing the simultaneous completion of behavioral monitoring and sample collection, thus improving experimental efficiency.
[0017] This invention, through the cooperation of a central processing unit and a display terminal, can process, recognize, and visualize collected pressure and image data in real time, greatly improving experimental efficiency. At the same time, it facilitates researchers to monitor the behavior of animals in real time and respond to abnormal situations in a timely manner.
[0018] This invention can be widely applied to the behavioral evaluation of animal models in fields such as drug screening for neurodegenerative diseases, rehabilitation assessment for spinal cord injury, and diagnosis of motor dysfunction. Attached Figure Description
[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a small animal gait analysis device proposed in this invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the data collection chamber in a small animal gait analysis device proposed in this invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the support base in a small animal gait analysis device proposed in this invention. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the electrical connections of the control terminal unit in a small animal gait analysis device proposed in this invention; In the diagram: 100 Data Acquisition Chamber, 101 Support Base, 102 Pressure Sensor, 103 Floor, 200 Fill Light, 201 High-Speed Camera, 300 Crossbar, 301 Support Column, 302 Slider, 303 Handle, 400 Food Tank, 500 Roller, 501 Bracket, 502 Thin Film Paper, 600 Mat, 700 Simulated Cave, 800 Central Processing Unit, 900 Display Terminal. Detailed Implementation
[0020] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.
[0021] Reference Figure 1-4A small animal gait analysis device includes a collection area consisting of a collection chamber 100 and a support base 101. The collection chamber 100 is fixed above the support base 101 and is a cylindrical chamber with an open top, integrally molded from transparent acrylic material, which facilitates direct observation by experimental personnel and isolates the experimental animals inside from external environmental interference. Above the collection area is an equipment platform, which consists of a crossbar 300, support columns 301, sliders 302, and handles 303. The support columns 301 are welded to the top of the collection chamber 100 and are symmetrical about the center of the collection chamber 100. The crossbar 300 is installed on the two support columns 301 and fixed with nuts. A crossbar 300 is inserted through the crossbar 300. The slider 302 has a slide rail on the crossbar 300, and the inner wall of the slider 302 has wedges that match the slide rail. The upper surface of the slider 302 is welded with a handle 303, and the lower surface of the slider 302 is provided with a camera unit. The camera unit consists of a supplementary light 200 and a high-speed camera 201 embedded below the slider 302. The collection chamber 100 contains an animal activity area, a gait collection unit, and a control terminal unit. The lens of the high-speed camera 201 is vertically downward, facing the internal cavity of the collection chamber 100, and is used to capture full-field behavioral images of the experimental animals. The top of the slider 302 is provided with a handle 303, which is used to move the slider 302 by holding the handle 303, thereby adjusting the position of the high-speed camera 201.
[0022] The animal activity area includes a floor 103, a mat 600, and a food trough 400. The floor 103 is embedded in a support base 101, and the size of the floor 103 matches the inner diameter of the support base 101. Several pressure sensors 102 are arrayed between the floor 103 and the support base 101. The pressure sensors 102 are high-precision thin-film pressure sensors, evenly distributed on the upper surface of the support base 101. The detection surface of the pressure sensors 102 faces upward and is in close contact with the lower surface of the floor 103. They are used to collect real-time pressure changes when experimental animals move on the floor 103, and then the central processing unit 800 calculates and obtains core data such as the animal's real-time weight, activity position, activity frequency, and duration of stay in different areas. The surface of the floor 103 is covered with a mat 600, and the food trough 400 is placed on one side of the surface of the mat 600.
[0023] During the experiment, when the experimental animals move freely on the surface of the mat 600 in the collection chamber 100, their own weight and the dynamic pressure generated during the movement are synchronously transmitted through the floor 103 to the detection surfaces of the pressure sensors 102 arrayed below. The pressure sensors 102 convert the collected real-time pressure change signals into recognizable electrical signals and transmit them to the central processing unit 800. The central processing unit 800 performs signal filtering, amplification, and processing to obtain core behavioral data such as the experimental animals' real-time weight, activity position, activity frequency, and duration of stay in different areas. The food trough 400 is used to place the feed and water required by the experimental animals, providing them with stable survival and extending their natural activity time in the collection chamber 100. The mat 600 provides a flexible contact surface for the experimental animals and can also collect their excrement, preventing contamination of the floor 103 and the pressure sensors 102 below.
[0024] The high-precision thin-film pressure sensors 102 arrayed between the floor 103 and the support base 101 enable full coverage and high-sensitivity acquisition of pressure data across the entire activity area of the experimental animals. The central processing unit 800 can accurately calculate and obtain multi-dimensional behavioral core data, effectively solving the shortcomings of traditional devices in terms of single data acquisition dimensions and insufficient accuracy. At the same time, the combination of the removable and replaceable flexible mat 600 and the food trough 400 creates a low-stress and comfortable activity environment for the experimental animals, ensuring the authenticity and reliability of experimental data. It also greatly improves the convenience of cleaning and maintaining the device before and after experiments and enhances the reusability of the device.
[0025] The gait acquisition unit includes a simulated cave 700 and a roller assembly. The simulated cave 700 is placed on the surface of the mat 600. The simulated cave 700 is a light-proof PVC cave structure with openings at both ends. The internal cavity can accommodate experimental animals to freely enter and exit and inhabit, and is used to simulate the natural light-proof habitat of experimental animals.
[0026] The roller assembly includes a roller 500, a support 501, and a thin film 502. The support 501 is welded to the inner wall of the collection chamber 100. The roller 500 is inserted between two supports 501. The roller 500 first passes through a hole on one support 501, then the thin film 502 is put on it, and then it continues to pass through a hole on the other support 501, making it detachable and easy to replace the thin film 502. The thin film 502 is placed in the middle of the roller 500. The thin film 502 extends to the mat 600 and passes through the simulated cave 100. The thin film 502 is segmented for easy cutting. After collecting the footprints of the experimental animals, the experimental data can be obtained by tearing along the segmented positions.
[0027] Before assembling the apparatus, first insert one end of the roller 500 through the pre-drilled hole on one of the supports 501. Then, coaxially mount the film paper 502 to be used onto the middle area of the roller 500. Next, insert the other end of the roller 500 into the corresponding hole on the other support 501, completing the detachable installation of the roller 500 and enabling quick replacement of the film paper 502. After assembly, pull the free end of the film paper 502 out of the roller 500 and lay it flat on the mat 600. The surface of the paper 502 is prepared by passing the flat section of the paper through the internal cavity of the simulated cave 700. During the experiment, the experimental animal's feet will come into contact with the surface of the paper 502 as it moves in and out of the simulated cave 700, leaving clear footprints on the paper 502. After the experiment, the paper 502 sample containing the animal footprints can be quickly removed by tearing and cutting it along the preset segment positions, thus completing the collection of footprint data for gait analysis.
[0028] The detachable, interlocking roller 500, in conjunction with the support 501, enables rapid disassembly and replacement of the thin film paper 502, significantly improving the efficiency of pre-experiment preparation and post-experiment sample retrieval. By laying the thin film paper 502 flat and extending it through the simulated cave 700, the animals' natural tendency to seek darkness and avoid light, and their preference for cave dwelling, are guided to naturally step on the thin film paper 502 to leave footprints. Passive collection of footprint samples can be completed without human intervention, avoiding animal stress reactions caused by human intervention and ensuring the authenticity and naturalness of gait footprint data. At the same time, the segmented design of the thin film paper 502 allows for rapid cutting and separation of samples, further simplifying the experimental operation process and improving the overall efficiency and data reliability of gait analysis experiments.
[0029] The control terminal unit includes a central processing unit (CPU) 800 and a display terminal 900. The CPU 800's input terminals are electrically connected to the pressure sensor 102, the high-speed camera 201, and the output terminals of the supplementary light 200. The CPU 800's output terminals are electrically connected to the display terminal 900. The CPU 800 is an embedded processor based on an ARM architecture and includes a data acquisition module, an image processing module, a data storage module, and a data transmission module. The data acquisition module receives real-time pressure data collected by the pressure sensor 102 and performs preprocessing such as filtering and amplification on the signal data. The image processing module incorporates a deep learning-based experimental animal behavior recognition algorithm for target recognition, activity trajectory tracking, and behavior classification (including but not limited to: stillness, walking, running, exploration, grooming, standing, etc.) of the image data collected by the high-speed camera 201. The data storage module uses a large-capacity solid-state drive to store the collected raw pressure data, image data, and processed results. The data transmission module uses a dual-mode module with both wired Ethernet and wireless WiFi to stably transmit the analysis results to the display terminal 900. A detailed schematic diagram is provided in the figure.
[0030] The supplementary light 200 is an infrared supplementary light, and there are 2, 3 or 4 of them, which are evenly distributed around the inner wall of the slider 302. The light emitted by the infrared supplementary light will not interfere with the natural behavior of the experimental animals, while providing sufficient shooting light source for the high-speed camera 201, ensuring that clear and motion-free behavioral images can be captured even in low-light and light-avoiding experimental environments.
[0031] The mat 600 is a flexible sound-absorbing mat used to reduce environmental noise generated by animal activities; the mat 600 can be removed and replaced, so that it can be easily removed and replaced when experimental animals need to be observed for a long time or when excrement is generated during the experiment, thus avoiding soiling the floor 103 which is difficult to clean.
[0032] The thin film paper 502 is used to collect footprints of experimental animals, which facilitates the analysis of the animals' gait.
[0033] The process of using this device: Preparation before the experiment: Place the apparatus stably on the experimental table. Adjust the horizontal position of the high-speed camera 201 according to the experimental requirements by moving the handle 303. Turn on the supplementary light 200. Cover the surface of the roller 500 with a thin film 502. Place the experimental animal into the collection chamber 100. At the same time, place food and water in the food trough 400. Isolate the experimental animal from external noise and light interference and allow it to move freely. Synchronous data acquisition: When the device is turned on, the pressure sensor 102 collects the pressure change data of the experimental animal in real time and transmits it to the central processing unit 800; the high-speed camera 201 captures the behavioral images of the experimental animal at a preset frame rate, and at the same time transmits the footprints on the film paper 502 captured to the central processing unit 800. Data processing and real-time display: The central processing unit 800 processes the received pressure data and image data in real time. The image processing module identifies the animal's behavior type and tracks its activity trajectory. The pressure data is used to calculate parameters such as the animal's weight change, activity frequency, and duration of stay in the area. The processed results are transmitted to the display terminal 900 in real time for visualization. At the same time, the raw data and analysis results are stored in the data storage module. Experimental conclusion: After the experiment, shut down the apparatus, remove the experimental animals, replace the thin film paper 502 on the surface of roller 500, collect the excrement, remove the mat 600, replace the mat 600 with a new one, and clean and disinfect the inside of the collection chamber 100 to complete this experiment.
[0034] This device can be widely used in various experimental scenarios such as gait acquisition experiments, spontaneous activity experiments, anxiety behavior monitoring, and behavioral evaluation of drug intervention in laboratory animals. It has a wide range of applications, comprehensive data collection, and accurate and reliable experimental results, effectively solving many shortcomings of existing technologies.
[0035] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.
Claims
1. A small animal gait analysis device, comprising a collection area, the collection area consisting of a collection chamber (100) and a support base (101), the collection chamber (100) being fixed above the support base (101), an equipment platform being provided above the collection area, the equipment platform consisting of a crossbar (300), a support column (301), a slider (302), and a handle (303), the support column (301) being welded to the top of the collection chamber (100) and symmetrically arranged around the center of the collection chamber (100), the crossbar (300) being mounted on the two support columns (301) and fixed by nuts, the slider (302) being inserted through the crossbar (300), a slide rail being provided on the crossbar (300), a wedge block matching the slide rail being provided on the inner wall of the slider (302), and a handle (303) being welded to the upper surface of the slider (302), characterized in that: The lower surface of the slider (302) is provided with a camera unit, which is a fill light (200) and a high-speed camera (201) embedded in the slider (302). The collection chamber (100) is provided with an animal activity area, a gait collection unit and a control terminal unit.
2. The small animal gait analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The animal activity area includes a floor (103), a mat (600), and a food trough (400). The floor (103) is embedded in a support base (101). Several pressure sensors (102) are arranged in an array between the floor (103) and the support base (101). The surface of the floor (103) is covered with a mat (600), and a food trough (400) is placed on one side of the surface of the mat (600).
3. The small animal gait analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gait acquisition unit includes a simulated cave (700) and a roller assembly, wherein the simulated cave (700) is placed on the surface of a mat (600).
4. The small animal gait analysis device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The roller assembly includes a roller (500), a support (501), and a film paper (502). The support (501) is welded to the inner wall of the collection chamber (100). The roller (500) is interspersed between the two supports (501). The film paper (502) is sleeved in the middle of the roller (500). The film paper (502) extends to the mat (600) and passes through the simulated cave (700).
5. The small animal gait analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control terminal unit includes a central processing unit (800) and a display terminal (900). The input terminals of the central processing unit (800) are electrically connected to the output terminals of the pressure sensor (102), the high-speed camera (201), and the supplementary light (200), respectively. The output terminal of the central processing unit (800) is electrically connected to the display terminal (900). The central processing unit (800) is equipped with a data acquisition module, an image processing module, and a behavior recognition module. The image processing module has a built-in deep learning-based experimental animal behavior recognition algorithm, which is used to perform target recognition, activity trajectory tracking, and behavior classification on the image data acquired by the high-speed camera (201). The behavior recognition module is used to calculate the real-time weight, activity location, activity frequency, and duration of stay in the area of the experimental animal based on the pressure change data of the pressure sensor (102).
6. The small animal gait analysis device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The pressure sensor (102) is a thin-film pressure sensor, and the array is evenly distributed between the support base (101) and the floor (103). There are 4 to 6 of them, and the spacing between adjacent pressure sensors is 2-5 cm, forming a pressure distribution acquisition matrix covering the entire activity area. It is used to collect pressure change data when experimental animals move on the floor (103), and then obtain the real-time weight, activity frequency, location distribution and regional stay time data of the animals.
7. The small animal gait analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The supplementary light (200) is an infrared supplementary light, with a quantity of 2 to 4, evenly distributed around the inner wall of the slider (302). The light intensity of the supplementary light is 5-20 lux, and the wavelength range is 850-940 nm. It is used to provide a shooting light source for the high-speed camera (201) without interfering with the natural behavior of the experimental animals.
8. The small animal gait analysis device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The mat (600) is made of flexible sound insulation material to reduce environmental noise generated by animal activities; the mat (600) can be removed and replaced.
9. The small animal gait analysis device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The thin film paper (502) is used to collect footprints of experimental animals, which facilitates the analysis of the animals' gait.