Abstract Eighty percent of sonographers suffer from musculoskeletal disorders This is attributed to the combination of sustained pinching and pushing needed during some ultrasound procedures In order to alleviate the need for the sonographer to apply a sustained force we developed a design that can apply a force for the duration of the procedure The design consists of an arc attached over the echocardiogram bed connected to a transducer by a arm Movement is possible via a slider over the arc a ball and socket joint a hinge joint and a rotating joint where the transducer is attached The sonographer locks the arm in place to sustain a force and performs the detailed movements necessary Problem Statement Motivation Sonographers apply high levels of force while performing detailed movements increasing work related injuries Goal To develop an ergonomic design to minimize the forces applied and improve the current ultrasound procedure Background Relevant Ultrasound Procedures Echocardiogram Duration 45 min Biopsy Duration 30 60 min sln fi edu biosci2 monitor images echo j pg Background http www everybody co nz gifs carpal j pg Carpal Tunnel Tendonitis Shoulder Bursitis http www orthone com hand shoulder asp Musculoskeletal disorders occur in 80 of sonographers Product Specifications The design will Not interfere with data collection Reduce force applied over long periods of time Reduce strain on joints Allow for precise movements and adjustments Be adaptable Be able to maintain a stable position Design Options Transducer handle re design Decouple the push and pinch Complete transducer re design Force is applied using entire hand in handle bar grip position Arc with mechanical arm Evaluation Grid Ability to reduce force Ability to make precise movements Comfort Feasibility Ease of use Adaptability to different people Lack of interference with procedures Total Scale Handle redesign Transducer redesign Mechanical arm 1 2 1 1 3 3 1 3 2 1 3 2 3 1 2 3 2 3 3 2 2 14 12 18 3 High 2 Medium Design Arc with Slider Arc clamps to sides of bed Arc is able to rotate under the bed Slider moves along arc and locks in place Arm is attached to the slider Design Arm Arm consists of two lockable joints Ball and socket joint attached to slider www mcmaster co m Hinge joint attaches second portion of arm www mcmaster co m Transducer is attached at end of arm Has the ability to make small adjustments Design Evaluation Advantages Manual force not needed for long durations Allows for many positions without twisting arm Disadvantages Not applicable to all ultrasound procedures Does not allow for fast position adjustments Complex to lock and maintain stability Ethical Issues Aesthetics Testing of the sonographer patient Safety of components for sonographer and patient Injury during use of device Accommodation for variability in patient size and weight Future Work Arc Attachment to bed Design clamp to fit bed and arc Determine best place of attachment Rotating arc under bed Find a ball and socket joint for arc Eliminate problem of bed handle preventing rotation Future Work Arc Allow height adjustments at ends of arc Motion of slider Lock slider in place Reduce friction Current ideas Rollers on the inside of the slider Teflon coating Material Stainless steel Future Work Arm Determine best materials Lock joints Devise an easier method to adjust the second arm length Lock adjustable arm Determine method of attachment of transducer Future Work Transducer Phalange improve comfort for sonographer Soft springs allow for natural movements of patients Detachable transducer facilitate cleaning different transducers Mechanism to allow sonographer to make small adjustments Surround transducer handle with ball bearings Future Work Construction Determine correct dimensions of all components Depends on location and method of clamping arc Find appropriate bending machine for arc Determine best method to construct slider Acknowledgements Chris Arnold Machining Nicola Ferrier PhD Robotics Dr Frank Fronczak Materials Joints Machining Timothy Hall PhD Mock Transducers John Ma Rapid Prototyping and SolidWorks Robert Radwin PhD Ergonomics Tim Walker Sonographer References Kliewer Mark UW Hospital Radiology Dept Personal Interview January 2004 The Franklin Institute Online sln fi edu biosci2 monitor images echo jpg Last accessed 4 29 04 Orthopaedics Northeast Website www orthone com hand shoulder asp Last accessed 4 29 04 Everybody Health website New Zealand www everybody co nz gifs carpal jpg Last accessed 4 29 04 McMaster Carr website www mcmaster com Last accessed 4 29 04
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