BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to create new ergonomic guidelines for the design of laparoscopic needle holders. METHODS: An ergonomic literature study, observations in the operating room, handle-shaft angle measurements, and anthropometric data were used to compile new ergonomic criteria, specified to the function of a laparoscopic needle holder. Based on these guidelines a new needle holder was designed. The prototype and three currently available needle holders were evaluated according to the new guidelines. In addition, a pelvi-trainer test was done to measure the extreme wrist excursions. RESULTS: The ergonomic evaluation of three commonly used handles and the new prototype indicate that the new handle is an ergonomic improvement in the field of laparoscopic needle holders: only the new handle satisfies all criteria. This is validated by the results of the pelvi-trainer test, which showed that the new prototype significantly (p <0.001) reduced the extreme wrist excursions. CONCLUSION: The new design guidelines for a laparoscopic needle holder result in an ergonomic improvement of the instrument.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to create new ergonomic guidelines for the design of laparoscopic needle holders. METHODS: An ergonomic literature study, observations in the operating room, handle-shaft angle measurements, and anthropometric data were used to compile new ergonomic criteria, specified to the function of a laparoscopic needle holder. Based on these guidelines a new needle holder was designed. The prototype and three currently available needle holders were evaluated according to the new guidelines. In addition, a pelvi-trainer test was done to measure the extreme wrist excursions. RESULTS: The ergonomic evaluation of three commonly used handles and the new prototype indicate that the new handle is an ergonomic improvement in the field of laparoscopic needle holders: only the new handle satisfies all criteria. This is validated by the results of the pelvi-trainer test, which showed that the new prototype significantly (p <0.001) reduced the extreme wrist excursions. CONCLUSION: The new design guidelines for a laparoscopic needle holder result in an ergonomic improvement of the instrument.
Authors: Gyusung Lee; Tommy Lee; David Dexter; Carlos Godinez; Nora Meenaghan; Robert Catania; Adrian Park Journal: Surg Endosc Date: 2008-09-25 Impact factor: 4.584
Authors: J R Torres Bermudez; G Buess; M Waseda; I Gacek; F Becerra Garcia; G A Manukyan; N Inaki; N Inaky Journal: Surg Endosc Date: 2008-06-14 Impact factor: 4.584