Covidien Announces Method to Measure Operating Room Ergonomics

COVIDIEN

Covidien, a leading global provider of healthcare products, announces that researchers have developed a new method to measure the physical strain placed on surgeons while performing minimally invasive surgery. By analyzing surgeons’ motions in the operating room, researchers will gain new insights into proper postures, techniques and body angles that should influence the development of new ergonomically designed minimally invasive surgery instruments. Donald R. Peterson, PhD, MS, University of Connecticut Health Center Biodynamics Laboratory in the Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, presented the new criteria during an oral presentation (Abstract ET008) at the annual meeting of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), held earlier this month. “The widespread acceptance of minimally invasive surgical procedures has led to an increase in their popularity and demand. To successfully perform laparoscopic surgery, surgeons may have to position their bodies at unnatural angles and perform repetitive actions with their hands, which may cause strain and fatigue,” Dr. Peterson said. “We have now established a method to assess the biomechanical risks that surgeons face when performing minimally invasive surgery. This should provide invaluable information to guide the development and design of new ergonomic surgical tools.” Learn more at http://bit.ly/HCyuOT.