Helping Surgeons' Hands: A Biomechanical Evaluation of Ergonomic Instruments

Area of Science:

• Surgical Instrument Design
• Human Factors Engineering
• Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

• Surgical instruments often lack ergonomic considerations, leading to surgeon discomfort and inefficiency.
• Surgeons frequently work in awkward positions with non-ergonomic tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of ergonomic surgical instrument handles on required force and surgeon preference.
• To engineer and test novel ergonomic screwdriver handles tailored to specific glove sizes.

Main Methods:

• Developed 3D-modeled ergonomic screwdriver handles based on dental studies and ideal handle principles.
• Recruited 10 participants (glove sizes 6-8) to test ergonomic handles against a standard screwdriver.
• Assessed digital peak force, digital contact area, and participant preference for different handle designs.

Main Results:

• Ergonomic handles for glove sizes 6 and 7 significantly reduced thumb peak force compared to standard screwdrivers (e.g., 567 N vs. 1780 N).
• All tested ergonomic handles required less thumb and index finger force.
• 80% of participants preferred handles designed for their glove size or one size larger.

Conclusions:

• Ergonomic surgical instrument handles can decrease the force needed for procedures, particularly benefiting surgeons with smaller hands.
• Tailored ergonomic designs improve surgeon preference and may lead to a more comfortable and efficient surgical environment.
• 3D printing offers a viable method for manufacturing customized ergonomic surgical tools.