90% individuals experience musculoskeletal disorders
18% encountering career-ending injuries.
65% of sonographers consider the pressure application during scanning highly irritating
Handle shape: Force grip to encourage elbow supination/pronation over wrist ulnar/radial deviation.
Circular base: Curvilinear array for maximum movement degrees and improved precision.
Handle angle: Downward force applied at base's centroid for enhanced control.
Wrist indent: Inclusion for comfort and support during use.
CHOSEN DESIGN
Demographic: 87% women, 13% men; average age of employed sonographers is 43 years old.
Design Target: Cater design towards women while considering the larger average male hand size (7.6" long, 3.5" wide).
Strength Capacity: Ultrasound transducer requires about 10% Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC) force.
Consideration: Account for weaker sonographers (5th percentile female, 50-59 years old) with approximately 21.6 N at 10% MVC grip strength.
USER TESTING & PROTOTYPING
After our calculations within generating a standard body measurement to use for our prototyping, we have used the Berkeley Innovation Lab to 3D Print our designs for user testing.
We were priviliged to conduct user testing within the Human Ergonomics Lab and Berkeley Biology Lab.
Looks funny :) yet our creations succeeded user evaluations and REBULA necessities, signifying it'll benefit individuals!
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33% male hand measuring 6.5” long and 3” wide // with a 33% female hand measuring 6.5” long and 3.1” wide
Outcome:
Decreased wrist pain with the new design.
Unmatched wrist support and neutrality compared to existing transducers.
Reduction in time spent in awkward wrist positions (old design: 60 degrees, new design: 15 degrees).
Hammer grip implementation and elimination of shoulder abduction.
Significant improvement in RSI score confirmed during task collection process.
Deemed impractical with over 30° ulnar deviation in the sagittal plane. Requires standing during use and lacks structural support for transducer components.
LAB PROJECT || Human-Centered Medical Redesign in collaboration with UC Berkeley Ergonomics Lab
UltraTech : Optimizing Ultrasound Technology
TIMELINE
Jan 2023 - Present
FUN FACT : On the market, there is no transducer that provides the same level of wrist support and neutrality like our design 🤓
Ultrasound examinations play a vital role in non-invasive medical diagnostics, utilizing high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of internal body structures.
These safe and painless procedures are widely used in healthcare to assess various conditions. However, current examination practices can lead to discomfort for sonographers, who repeatedly perform movements like abduction, external rotation, and supination/pronation while holding the ultrasound device.
COMMITMENT
By aiming to achieve a 90% reduction in musculoskeletal discomfort, we strive to promote greater ergonomic comfort for sonographers and improve their overall experience during ultrasound examinations.
Our project aims to prioritize sonographer well-being by developing an advanced transducer design that focuses on wrist neutrality and reduces strain levels.
Retrospective and Future Task Assessment
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
To address this, ergonomic improvements have gained importance in the healthcare industry. This analysis highlights key competitors and their products aiming to enhance ultrasound examination comfort.
CURRENT DESIGN'S REPORT ( HANDPAK)
Intensity of Exertion Force (IM): % Maximum Voluntary Contraction (%MVC) = 10% Multiplier (IM) = 1.57
Exertions per Minute (EM): Approximately 10 exertions per minute Multiplier (EM) = 2.60
Duration per Exertion (DM): About 1.50 seconds Multiplier (DM) = 0.92
Hand and Wrist Posture (PM): Maximum 15 degrees of extension Multiplier (PM) = 1
Hours Worked (HM): Sonographer works for 8 hours a day Multiplier (HM) = 1
Revised Strain Index (RSI) = IM * EM * DM * PM * HM RSI = 1.57 * 2.60 * 0.92 * 1 * 1 RSI = 3.76
INTERVIEWS & GUEST TALKS
We have joined Anna Wojdecka’s Healthcare Design Talk to have a better understanding of our design process and conducted user research and testing with sonographers in North Carolina University:
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Key Findings:
Sonographers experience pain in neck, back, shoulders, or hands, impacting work for 61% (SDMS survey).
The ultrasound transducer's 60º wrist extension causes wrist strain.
Design goals: Reduce awkward wrist positioning (27° ulnar deviation) and minimize applied pressure.
Demographics considered: Majority of sonographers are women, diverse hand sizes, and strength capacities.
Success criteria: Neutralize wrist positioning, provide wrist support, and reduce strain for an ergonomic transducer design.
GOAL
SOLUTION CRITERIA
Minimize wrist strain by reducing ulnar deviation (up to 27°) during ultrasound scans.
Current Strain: Industry standard transducer causes RSI of 5.46 due to wrist strain during rocking motions for better imaging.
Target: Keep wrist in a neutral or near-neutral position to enhance comfort.
Alleviate wrist, upper arm, and shoulder pain by reducing pressure applied during scanning.
Current Issue: Pressure applied to the transducer contributes to discomfort and pain.
Solution: Implement a different grip on the transducer to enable more effective force application and reduce wrist pain.
1.
2.
Enable a wider range of motion (e.g., wrist extension/flexion or elbow supination/pronation)
Optimize grip for minimal strain and effective force application (force grip)
Clear visual indications for correct usage and injury prevention
Compact and one-handed usability.
Easy-to-clean design for clinical settings.
Maintain feasibility without compromising internal hardware.
Ideating:
Handle grip
Rocking motion
Logistic considerations
Discarded due to increased wrist strain from transducer weight at a greater distance. Loss of precision and control during ultrasound process.
Discarded: Increased wrist strain due to torque from transducer weight at a greater distance.
One of the final contenders with curvilinear array, transforming radial and ulnar deviation into wrist extension/flexion (150° range). Discarded for lacking wrist support.
MOVING FORWARD
SCREENING DESIGN ( IN PROGRESS)
As we collaborated with the Berkeley Ergonomic Lab for product re-design, our initial focus was on improving the physical aspects of the wireless ultrasound device, particularly the transducer's ergonomics.
However, we acknowledge that our approach did not initially encompass the design of the accompanying screen/app that sonographers will use on their phones while utilizing our device. Moving forward, individually aim to expand our scope to include the seamless integration of an intuitive and user-friendly screen/app interface for a comprehensive user experience.
Vision: Enhance ultrasound device accessibility and affordability, making them widely available for everyday use, including at home.
Goal: Develop a user-friendly application for simplified scanning logs and direct access to medical information, empowering users with valuable healthcare resources.
LOW FIDELITY PROTOTYPING
Current ultrasound monitoring apps lack patient medical info and logs, accessible only to medical professionals, sacrificing simplicity. Our goal: bridge the gap with a user-friendly app, empowering patients, providing comprehensive ultrasound monitoring, and personalized scanning logs for accessible healthcare.
Our user research and testing are ongoing, and we are actively working on showcasing our ideation process for the screen designs. Stay tuned for an exciting display of how we envision the user interface to look like!
PROTOTYPE BRAINSTORMING ( IN PROGRESS)
We aim to make medical support more accessible and affordable for PCOS patients and their families. Our integrated application simplifies the monitoring journey, providing user-friendly and cost-effective assistance.
Sonographers experience pain in their neck, wrist, and hand due to prolonged awkward positioning while holding a transducer during ultrasound.
A redesign of the transducer would reduce this awkward positioning in sonographers, allowing them to do their job pain-free.
8 HOUR SHIFTS :Each ultrasound appointment is generally around 30 minutes to an hour long. Sonographers tend to complete 9-11 examinations per day.
Samsung Medison
Height-adjustable console, articulating monitor arm, and floating keyboard for flexibility and user comfort.
Butterfly Network GE
Streamlining examinations with AI, reducing cognitive workload.
Clarius
Lightweight, compact design with rubber handles to reduce physical strain.
Vscan
Sensitivity adjustments and wireless transducers for added convenience.
DESIN EXPLORATIONS
Special thanks to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lab for helping us navigating interviews!
Success Criteria: Neutralizes wrist positioning, Provides wrist support, Meets functional criteria
Limitations: Could be more uncomfortable for male sonographers due to size
66.67%
ergonomic // human centered redesign improvement rate
Blender and Unity Models
REFLECTION & IMPACT
Witnessing the preference for replacing injured sonographers instead of investing in ergonomic medical equipment was disheartening. It was also disheartening to see hospitals prioritize financial gains through manufacturer promotions and contracts over the well-being of their staff. Our mission is to make healthcare more accessible and user-friendly for the dedicated individuals who save lives every single day. Let's work towards a future where ergonomic designs are embraced, leading to a healthier and more supportive environment for medical professionals.
The design process this semester has been both challenging and rewarding. The most challenging aspect was coordinating our schedules, making it difficult to meet regularly. This led to occasional procrastination on assignment deadlines. However, the diversity of our team, with backgrounds in graphic design, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, and more, brought a range of perspectives and creative solutions. Despite the challenges, we remained driven and ultimately proud of the new ultrasound transducer design we developed together.
MY ROLE
Lead Designer
Meta Zhou
Ailun Shi
Laney Fong
Sean Slavich
TEAM MEMBERS
TOOLS USED
Women
Men
87%
13%
84%
less expectancy of injury due to long uncomfortable posture
Old RSI score: 5.46, aiming for substantial improvement. Focus on PM score to improve wrist flexion and extension.
Target: Reduce wrist extension from 60 to 15 degrees for an ergonomic redesign. Result: Decreased risk of musculoskeletal strain, providing safer and more comfortable ultrasound scanning experience for sonographers.
HandPak
Blender
Unity
Figma
3D Printing
2- SCAN RETOUCHING
Current wireless screening applications offer complex retouching and editing features. However, through interviews with sonographers, we identified three crucial features mainly used for abdominal check-ups: Denoise, Biopsy, and Depth. Feedback revealed that current designs lack customization and scaling options. Our designs will prioritize making scaling and adjustments as easy as possible to enhance user experience and efficiency.
1- EASY ACESS TO PATIENT HISTORY
The home page will allow sonographers or scanners to search and access previous scans along with medical and personal information. This feature provides valuable insights and highlights changes within scans, making it easier to identify potential medical threats and trends more efficiently. They are also able to switch from scan to report mode easily through one button.
3- SCAN PREVIEW
User feedback has highlighted a significant gap in current applications, as they lack scan logs and previews, making it challenging for sonographers to store and review data. Our main priority is to provide easy-to-use editing and data storage options, along with scan previews. Through these previews, sonographers can access essential information like duration, medical background, patient details, and related data, ensuring a seamless and efficient scanning experience.
4- ORGANIZING EXAMINATIONS
Hospitals currently rely on EHR and HIS software to track examinations and appointments. While effective for monitoring, these systems lack personalization and are limited to desktop access.
By integrating our application with these software solutions, hospital logs can be instantly updated with any changes made, and sonographers can easily track their examinations and access patient information before appointments, all in a user-friendly and accessible manner. This integration aims to streamline the process and enhance the overall efficiency and convenience of examination management within healthcare facilities.
THE PROBLEM
ABSTRACT
Happy to see you here, Lets connect!
2023 · Deniz Milli || Made with lots of iced chai 🧊