Improving the Right-Hand Ergonomics of the Modern GI Endoscope ; The Future of Medical Risk Management: Software in Medicine

How can medical professionals and hospital administrations improve working conditions within the hospital?
How can right-hand ergonomics be improved during gastrointestinal endoscopy? During colonoscopy procedures, gastroenterologists are required to perform non-ergonomic favorable tasks such as standing for long periods of time, tilting their head and putting their wrist and fingers in unfavorable position while operating the procedure. The right-hand specifically experiences pain due to high gripping force and torque. In order to combat this a medical device will be designed in order to improve the right-hand ergonomics during colonoscopy. We aim to reduce the torque below 1.5Nm and the grip force by 10%. By doing so this would ensure that gastroenterologists will perform procedures more comfortably and have a longer work life.
How can doctors, nurses, patients and medical students utilize computational software and technology to mitigate risks? Medical software and technology is meant to mitigate risk, but it can also introduce new risks. To mitigate both current and new risks, systems must work with software and technology instead of depending on it. Researchers have concluded that clinicians must learn how to use software systems instead of depending upon them entirely. Software must be used to obtain the information necessary to guide sound healthcare decision. Software systems are best used as an information gathering tool and to build trust relationship between doctors and patients.

School of Engineering and Applied Science
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering
Technical Advisor: Timothy Allen
STS Advisor: Peter Norton
Technical Team Members: Brendan Berkel, David Mai, Julia Pasco-Anderson