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This presentation explores the development of a fully customized ergonomic workstation aimed at reducing office injuries associated with sedentary lifestyles. The design integrates innovative casting processes suitable for doctor’s office implementation, ensuring personalization for individuals spending extensive hours at their computers. It addresses prevalent issues with current seating solutions, emphasizing the importance of biomechanics and proper posture. Key findings from research, including market potential and the impact of muscular imbalance on health, are discussed to demonstrate the increasing necessity for ergonomic solutions.
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Custom Ergonomic Workstation Group 3 Jim Herbst Jr. BME 272/273 2001-2002 2nd Oral Presentation 2/27/02 Dr. Paul King Dr. 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
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
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
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