Custom Ergonomic Workstation

Group 3Jim Herbst Jr.BME 272/2732001-2002

2nd Oral Presentation2/27/02

Dr. Paul KingDr. Ed Glaser

Objectives

• Design and prototype the first complete one-piece fully customized ergonomic workstation

• Invent a casting process which can be administered in a doctor’s office

• Reduce office injuries related to a sedentary lifestyle

Market Potential

• Growing amount of computer-based jobs

• Growing amount of posture-related injuries

• Growing awareness of ergonomics

Revised Target Market

• Those who spend 4 hours of more at a computer each workday

• Individuals who have serious back problems

• Individuals who frequent chiropractor

Thoughts From 1st Oral

• List problems of current chairs• Insurance issues• Biomechanics goal• S-Curve

Problems of Current Chairs

• Most users are not educated to take advantage of adjustments

• Generic seat designs do not suite the individual

Insurance Regulations

• Resident chiropractor noted that there should not be a problem with coverage

• Those who are interested in chair will be willing to pay since they have invested much money into their back already

Habitual Posture

• Influences kinesthetic awareness• Sitting posture

– Stretches shoulder blades and back– Shortens chest, hips, and shoulders

• “Normal” posture places low back in a lordosis

Biomechanical Goal

• Provide therapeutic benefit• Reduce muscle energy expenditure• Place back in a neutral alignment

Anatomy of the Back

• Normal curvature is S-shaped

• Curvature can deviate due to muscular imbalance

• 80% Americans have faced low back pain

• Ages 25-60 have highest probability to complain

Posture and Muscle Imbalance

• Muscular imbalances manifest themselves in a person’s posture and alignment

• Neutral alignment is best equipped to deal with external stress and strain

• Neutral alignment results in the least amount of muscle energy

Postural DeviationsMalalignment Tight Muscles Weak Muscles

Lordosis Lower back, hip flexors

Abdominals, hip extensors

Flat-back Upper abdominals, hip extensors

Lower back, hip flexors

Sway-back Upper abdominals, hip flexors

Obliques, hip extensors

Kyphosis Internal obliques, intercostals, shoulder adductors

Erector spinae, scapular adductors

Forward Head Cervical extensors trapezius

Neck flexors

Classic Postural Deviations

• Kyphosis-lordosis– Increase in inward curvature of low back– Outward curvature of thoracic spine

• Flat back– Decrease in normal inward curve of low

back– Pelvis in a posterior tilt

• Sway-back– Long, outward curvature of thoracic spine

• Scoliosis– Lateral curve of spine

Lordosis: A Closer Look

What We’ve Done So Far

• Patent search• Internet search• Brainstorming casting techniques• Creation of primary casting prototype• Creation of secondary casting prototype• 1st seat prototype

Creation of Secondary Casting Prototype

• Fix mistakes of first prototype

• More comfort• Better posture

First Prototype of Chair Back

Chair Back Cont.

Future Work

• Pad chair• Attach Legs• Attach Arms• Comfort Test• Revise• Create Compatible Workstation

Works Cited

• www.ergonomic-solutions.com/p_seat.html• www.infinn.com/infopack.html• www.prbofficeinteriors.com/aeron/

aerondesign.htm• http://condor.depaul.edu/~atamulis/ergo-

4.html• www.ergoboy.com/ergo_for/office.php• http://www.patientfixation.com/

producttypes/custom-molded-body-cushions.asp