Ergonomic Ultrasound Transducer

1
Ergonomic Ultrasound Transducer

• Client
• Mark Kliewer, MD
• Dept. of Radiology
• UW Hospital
• Team
• Members
• Dana Nadler
• Kelly Toy
• Anita Zarebi
• Kunal Arya
• Cole Kreofsky

2
University of Wisconsin - MadisonBiomedical
Engineering Design CoursesINTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
STATEMENT
3
Problem Statement

• Occupational health hazards in ultrasonography
  are becoming more prevalant as the field
  continues to grow. High forces required to
  perform examinations stress the anatomical
  features of the arm, causing injury. Our goal for
  this project is to develop an ultrasound
  transducer that safely redistributes the applied
  forces so that large muscle demands are not made
  on fine motor muscles.

4
Background Information

• High Frequency Soundwaves (3-20 MHz)
• Computer algorithms create image
• OB-Gyn.
• Echocardiography
• Biopsy

5
Background Information
http//www.walgreens.com/.../feature/081803a.jpg

• 80 of Sonographers report skeletomuscular
  disorders. (Magnavita 1999)
• Tedonitis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Shoulder Bursitis
• Longer Examinations
• Population becoming more obese

Carpal Tunnel
http//www.dynaflex-intl.com/carpal.htm
6
Project Design Specifications

• Alleviate pinching
• Minimize fine muscle stress
• Redirect large force application
• Maintain precise movement capability

• Easy to clean after each use
• Cost effective
• Portable
• Does not interfere with sound wave data

7
Design 1

• Kunal Arya
• Dana Nadler
• Kelly Toy

8
Strap Design

• Adjustable strap
• Fits into palm
• Wires routed out the side

Transducer site
9
Design Accomplishments

• Reasonable cost
• Sonographer still has one free hand
• Handle shape more suitable to procedure
• Easily sterilized
• Very portable

10
Ergonomic Factors

• Lines up force with arm
• Eliminates Pinching with strap
• Increased contact area less stress

www.ergonext.com/ clipart.htm
11
Accuracy Reliability

• Fingers free to make precise movements
• Strap prevents slipping from gels
• Sonographer still controls probe pressure

http//www.precisionint.com/Ultrasound/Content/Com
fortCable.asp
12
Drawbacks

• Arm force still required
• Sonographer must adjust to new design
• Handle size may not be universal

13
Alternate Designs

• Mechanical Arm
• Two-handed Probe

http//www.generation5.org/mr999.shtml
14
Design Matrix
15
Future Work

• Research best handle shape
• Find suitable material for strap
• Forearm strap for wires
• Compatible with all probes

16
Design 2Utilizing Voice Activation

• Recent technology
• Phillips iU22
• GE Medical
• Voice Commands
• Continuous Scanning
• Flexibility in difficult scanning environments
• Liberates hand from keyboard

http//www.medical.philips.com/main/products/ultra
sound/general/iu22/features/index.html
17
Design 2 Two- Handed Ring Design

• Elimination of pinch/push
• Less awkward operation
• Force translation to larger muscle groups

Profile View
Ring
Bracket
18
Design 2 Direction of Force Propagation Through
Major Muscles
19
Design 2 Two Handed Ring Design

• Foam encasement- optimal grip comfort
• Elimination of torque strain
• Less slipping
• more control
• fine movements

Top View Of Two Handed Ring
Probe Bracketed Here
7 in
20
Design 2 Drawbacks

• No universal bracket design
• No free hand
• Adapt to new technique

21
Alternate Designs

• Foam Transducer (one hand)
• Foam fits into sulcus of palm
• Alleviates Pinching
• Mechanical Arm- Sensory Technology
• Alleviates Pushing

22
Design Matrix
23
Future Work

• Test force propagation through arm
• Bracket materials and coupling fitting
• Identifying optimal ring diameter

24
Questions?