Projects

Overhead Drilling Project
Of all industries, construction has the highest rate of musculoskeletal loads to the neck, back, and upper extremity. One of the most physically demanding tasks is over-shoulder work, especially overhead drilling into concrete for the attachment of anchors, bolts, etc. in order to hang pipes, ducts, wiring, and equipment. For more information see the project Web Page. Generation four of our device is up and running.
[project page]

Computer Display Position
Because the position of a computer display affects the user's posture, eye opening, and blink rate, and hence comfort, we are investigating the relationship between display position and these measures with the aim of determining optimal display positions. Particular interests include multiple and large-area displays.

Lower Extremity Exoskeleton Reduces Back Forces in Manual Material Handling
Manual material handling remains a physically demanding task, and existing assist devices have found limited success. The project involves a lower extremity exoskeleton device which adds a restoring moment to the subject's upper body during nonneutral postures, thus reducing forces on the low back, transmitting forces directly to the ground via the exoskeleton structure. The device has been found to effectively reduce low back forces during static tests and is being evaluated in a variety of other situations. This project is being undertaken in conjunction with the UC Berkeley Human Engineering Laboratory.

Forearm Support Reduces Pain among Computer Users
A simple workstation modification, the addition of a forearm support, was found to reduce upper body pain and prevent musculoskeletal disorders among customer service workers who use a computer for more than 20 hours per week. In this randomized controlled trial, the 182 participating workers were followed for 1 year. Based on a cost-benefit analysis, employers could see a full return on the cost of providing arm boards to all employees within 11 months of the investment. The Morency rest forearm supports are manufactured by R&D Ergonomics of Maine. The study received the 2006 International Ergonomics Association/Liberty Mutual Prize.
[The full article is available here]

In Vitro Tendon Loading
A new in vitro tendon loading system was developed to simultaneously apply different strain profiles to multiple tendons in a tissue culture environment. The system is used to evaluate the effects of precisely controlled cyclical loading on gene expression in tendons. You can watch a video article on this topic at the JOVE website.

In Vivo Tendon Force
Tendon force is measured during surgery of the hand in order to determine the relationship between fingertip force (external force) and tendon force (internal force).

Carpal Tunnel Pressure
Fluid pressure within the carpel tunnel has been measured in 37 healthy people. The purpose is to identify hand postures associated with high pressures. These postures should be avoided in designing work and hand tools.

Computer Keyboard Studies
The effect of altering the deyboard design on hand posture, muscle load, and hand pain has been studied in laboratory and epidemiologic studies.

Computer Mouse and Fatigue of Long Duration Studies
A new method of measuring muscle fatigue was developed and validated. The technique was tested during extensive computer mouse use and recorded fatigue after 3 hours of mouse use.

Space Station -- Glove Box Design
In cooperation with the Japanese Space Agency and NASA, a new design was developed for the glove box. The glove box will be used for all biological experiments on the space station.

Experimental Model for Occupational Hand Disorders
To understand the direct cause of musculoskeletal disorders or diseases of the elbow, hands, and fingers, we have developed a rabbit repetitive finger flexor model. In this model, the finger is flexed for a set number of repetitions at a predetermined frequency and force. After the flexion sessions are completed, the elbow (epicondyle), carpal tunnel, and finger joints are examined by histology and biochemistry for pathology.
[read more]