FreeWalkScan system takes (optional high‐speed) video of animal (mouse or rat) walking on a clear bottom plate either in the dark or using normal light conditions. The video of the ventral view (underside view) of the animal is obtained using camera mounted directly under the plate. The video captures animal movements on the plate, as well as the foot/paw prints of the animal. Information of animal movements and foot/paw print are integrated seamlessly, which yield rich information useful for pathophysiological studies.

FreeWalkScan can reliably analyze the video, and determine various characteristic parameters that are related to the pathophysiological conditions. These parameters include Right Overlap (distance between sequential footprints of the front and hind limbs on the right side), Left Overlap (distance between sequential footprints of the front and hind limbs on the left side), Front Base (distance between sequential footprints of front limbs, measured orthogonal to the walking direction), Hind Base (distance between sequential footprints of hind limbs, measured orthogonal to the walking direction), Right Front Stride (distance between two sequential footprints of the right front paw), Left Front Stride (distance between two sequential footprints of the left front paw), Right Hind Stride (distance between two sequential footprints of the right hind paw), Left Hind Stride (distance between two sequential footprints of the left hind paw). It also can measure Paw Pressure for each of the limbs.

For each defined event, corresponding Free‐Walk data (including Right Overlap, Left Overlap, Front Base, Hind Base, Right Front Stride, Left Front Stride, Right Hind Stride, Left Hind Stride) is shown in the bottom window. This allows the user to study gait parameters during different behavior events (e.g., in different zones), thus revealing relations between gait data and various behaviors. The results are updated as the analysis takes place.

After analysis, FreeWalkScan can output the detailed results of these parameters as Microsoft Excel files, which allows the user to do further analysis through statistical analysis software like SAS or SPSS. Complete experiment database management function is provided for large group study. Advanced functionalities, such as visualization and post‐analysis, batch mode analysis, group export, export video clips corresponding to specific detect event, record are available.