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Design and evaluation of a new ergonomic handle for instruments in minimally invasive surgery

Abstract: Background: Laparoscopic surgery techniques have been demonstrated to provide massive benefits to patients. However, surgeons are subjected to hardworking conditions because of the poor ergonomic design of the instruments. In this article, a new ergonomic handle design is presented. This handle is designed using ergonomic principles, trying to provide both more intuitive manipulation of the instrument and a shape that reduces the highpressure zones in the contact with the surgeon’s hand. Materials and methods: The ergonomic characteristics of the new handle were evaluated using objective and subjective studies. The experimental evaluation was performed using 28 volunteers by means of the comparison of the new handle with the ring-handle (RH) concept in an instrument available on the market. The volunteers’ muscle activation and motions of the hand, wrist, and arm were studied while they performed different tasks. The data measured in the experiment include electromyography and goniometry values. Results: The results obtained from the subjective analysis reveal that most volunteers (64%) preferred the new prototype to the RH, reporting less pain and less difficulty to complete the tasks. The results from the objective study reveal that the hyperflexion of the wrist required for the manipulation of the instrument is strongly reduced. Conclusions: The new ergonomic handle not only provides important ergonomic advantages but also improves the efficiency when completing the tasks. Compared with RH instruments, the new prototype reduced the high-pressure areas and the extreme motions of the wrist.

 Authorship: Sancibrian R., Gutierrez-Diez M., Torre-Ferrero C., Benito-Gonzalez M., Redondo-Figuero C., Manuel-Palazuelos J.,

 Fuente: Journal of Surgical Research, 2014, 188, 88-99

 Publisher: Academic Press Inc.

 Publication date: 01/05/2014

 No. of pages: 12

 Publication type: Article

 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2013.12.021

 ISSN: 0022-4804,1095-8673

 Spanish project: DPI2010-18316

 Publication Url: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2013.12.021

Authorship

MARIA CRUZ GUTIERREZ DIEZ

BENITO GONZÁLEZ, MARÍA ASUNCIÓN

CARLOS GODOFREDO REDONDO FIGUERO

JOSE CARLOS MANUEL PALAZUELOS