Ergonomic Ultrasound Probe

1. Ergonomic Ultrasound Probe Yao Lu Meghan Olson Emily Putzer Heather Waldeck Team Members:

3. Advisor: Client: Mark Kliewer, M.D. Department ofRadiology UW Hospital ProfessorNaomi Chesler Department of Biomedical Engineering University of Wisconsin

4. Problem Statement During ultrasound procedures, sonographers must apply high levels of force while performing detailed movements, the combination of which increases the number of work-related injuries. Our goal is to develop an ergonomic design to minimize the forces applied and improve the current ultrasound procedure.

5. Background Information • Current Ultrasound Procedures • Console and Transducer • Procedures • Echocardiogram • Biopsy

6. Background Information • Musculoskeletal disorders • Occur in 80% of sonographers • Carpal Tunnel • Tendonitis • Shoulder Bursitis http://www.everybody.co.nz/gifs/carpal.jpg

7. Problem Specifications • No interference with the collection of data • Reduce force applied • Reduce strain on joints • Still allow for precise movements and adjustments • Adaptable • Able to maintain a stable position

8. Design Proposal 1: Handle Redesign • Decouple the ‘push’ and ‘pinch’ • Force applied by palm • Fingers supply precise movements • Use splint to support wrist

9. Design Proposal 1: Handle Redesign • Advantages • Allows mobility • Prevents wrist strain by reducing pinch force • Can be used for many procedures • Disadvantages • Does not prevent strain on shoulder and upper arm • Still must apply a large force for a long time • Sanitation concern • May be uncomfortable

10. Design Proposal 2: Transducer Redesign • Force is applied using entire hand in ‘handle bar’ grip position • Transducer movement separate from main handle using elastic material • Allows for small movements

11. Design Proposal 2: Transducer Redesign • Advantages • Applies force with more natural position of hand • No pinch • Can be used for many procedures • Disadvantages • May reduce amount of precision • Apply a large force for a long time • Does not prevent strain on shoulder

12. Design Proposal 3: Mechanical Arm • Arm is locked into place to apply force • Arc design • 3 segments attached with ball & socket and hinge joints

13. Design Proposal 3: Mechanical Arm • 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 • Possible stability issue?

14. Additional Client Requirements • Prefer eliminating applied force • Currently many ideas for handle redesign • Focus on echocardiogram and biopsy procedures • Transducer held stable for long period

15. Evaluation of Designs

16. Final Design • Mechanical arm with adjustments • Allow arc to move underneath the bed • Size-adjustable arc • Allow movement back and forth • Allow storage on the side of bed

17. Future Work • Determine maximum force needed to be applied by arm • Determine type of material • Method to securely lock all arm segments and hinges • Allow transducer to be removable

18. Questions?