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Work related injury is an epidemic among medical sonographers and echocardiographers. Surveys have indicated that more than 84% of sonographers scan with some degree of pain, and 20% sustain injuries that are potentially career ending. Sonographers are being forced to do more examinations for longer periods of time due to the
need for increased resolution of ultrasound pictures. Increased resolution has made the sonograph a more multi-faceted clinical tool. The technology of the machine has morphed for the better, surpassing the older and outdated ergonomics of the instrument. Most sonographers have injury in their hands, wrists, and elbows. An ultrasound examination requires the sonographer to firmly grip the probe, or pinch it like a pencil, while pushing down forcefully into the patient. This act of ‘pinching and pushing’ puts a lot of strain on the sonographer’s arm. Years of repeated strain results in a wide variety of disorders, including tendonitis, tenosynovitis, bursitis, thoracic outlet syndrome, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Ergonomic advances and after-market ultrasound accessories help alleviate some of the stresses incurred during an examination. The current ergonomics minimally reduce the large pushing forces that must be applied by the sonographer on the patient. As a result, injury is allowed to remain a big problem.
Ergonomic Ultrasound Group (from left to right): Kunal, Kelly, Cole, Dana, Anita.
We have built a prototype and finished the final semester report.
| Week | Reporting Period Beginning | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 3 | Researched background information; set up meeting with client. |
| 2 | September 10 | Met with client; wrote first draft of Product Design Specifications (PDS). |
| 3 | September 17 | Split team into two small groups; began brainstorming possible solutions. |
| 4 | September 24 | Met with Prof. Radwin about ergonomic factors; continued refining possible designs. |
| 5 | October 1 | Decided upon a design; started developing mid-semester presentation/paper. |
| 6 | October 8 | Gave mid-semester presentation in class to professors and peers. |
| 7 | October 15 | Finished up and turned in mid-semester paper as a whole group. |
| 8 | October 22 | Reviewed feedback from professor and set up meeting with client. |
| 9 | October 29 | Presented ideas to client; discussed project direction for the rest of the semester. |
| 10 | November 5 | Developed designs for a two-handed probe prototype. |
| 11 | November 12 | Decided on design and materials for a prototype |
| 12 | November 19 | Purchased materials for prototype; received shop passes. |
| 13 | November 26 | Thanksgiving break: short week, started prototype building. |
| 14 | December 3 | Finished prototype; gave final semester presentation. |
| 15 | December 10 | Finished and turned in final semester report. |
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Product Design Specifications (Oct 1 2004, 24 kb) |
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Mid-semester Presentation (Oct 8 2004, 684 kb) |
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Mid-semester Report (Oct 15 2004, 330 kb) |
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Final Presentation (Dec 3 2004, 3974 kb) |
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Final Report (Dec 8 2004, 436 kb) |
