1. Custom Ergonomic Workstation Group 3 Jim Herbst Jr. BME 272/273 2001-2002 Dr. Paul King Dr. Ed Glaser

2. 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

3. Market Potential Growing amount of computer-based jobs Growing amount of posture-related injuries Growing awareness of ergonomics.5 million display screen equipment operators working in the UK - one quarter of the work force

4. Target Market Those who spend 4 hours of more at a computer each workday Upper-middle to upper class Large companies

5. Why a Custom Ergonomic Workstation? RSI has increased by 22% in the last two years To reduce WRULD, eye strain, back and neck pain, and headaches associated with VDUs To increase employee comfort, thus increasing employee production It is difficult to accommodate people from the 5th-percentile female to the 95th-percentile male without customization

6. What’s Been Done in the Past

7. Why There’s Room for Growth There are few truly customized ergonomic chairs on the market There are no truly customized ergonomic workstations on the market 20 billion dollars paid in compensation claims for RSI in US in 1993 2/3 of all employees sit incorrectly –Sit on edge of seat –Do not use backrest

8. Injuries To Be Prevented Most frequently cited physical complaints among seated employees:

9. Ergonomic Workplace Design General workplace design Placement of VDU Chair Keyboard/mouse

10. What We’ve Done So Far Patent search Internet search Brainstorming casting techniques Creation of primary casting prototype Creation of secondary casting prototype

11. Patent Search Searched the US patent office for relevant patents Found over 200 patents None contained a patent incorporating a customized seat and desk

12. Internet Search Primary search for chair design Search for casting methods

13. Brainstorming Casting Techniques Thermoplastic RediFoam ™ custom-molded patient cushions Vac-Lok™ custom-molded vacuum cushions Plaster

14. Thermoplastic Thermoplastic material softens in warm water As it cools, it hardens

15. RediFoam ™ Single patient use Foam rises to cradle patients anatomical contours

16. Vac-Lok™ Contains tiny polystyrene beads Air is evacuated to create a rigid support Cushion can be reinflated and disinfected for another patient

17. Plaster Hardens upon application Soothing feeling Inexpensive

18. Creation of Primary Casting Prototype Easy to be administered by chiropractor Comfortable for patient Correct posture

19. Creation of Secondary Casting Prototype Fix mistakes of first prototype More comfort Better posture

20. What Happens Next? Chair design Chair materials search Workstation design

21. Works Cited www.ergonomic-solutions.com/p_seat.html www.infinn.com/infopack.html www.prbofficeinteriors.com/aeron/aeronde sign.htm http://condor.depaul.edu/~atamulis/ergo- 4.html www.ergoboy.com/ergo_for/office.php http://www.patientfixation.com/productty pes/custom-molded-body-cushions.asp