Abstract
BackgroundThe implementation of ergonomics in the operating room helped in reducing Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and hand injuries. However, there are still many issues that surgeons, primarily female proceduralists, face when dealing with medical instruments. In previous work, 67.8% of surgeons reported trouble using surgical instruments. Prior research used different 3D scanning methodologies alongside plastered hands for gaining anthropometric data for instrument redesign.ObjectiveTherefore, utilization of a handheld 3D scanner along with the physical surgeon’s hand without using a plaster is employed to determine accurate female hand sizes. The primary objective is to validate 3D scans compared to direct anthropometric measurements (DM) of subjects’ hands.MethodsAn EinScan Pro HD 3D scanner (Shinning 3D®) was used to get anthropometric hand data from participants. Measurements such as the hand length, finger length, DIP breadth, and PIP breadth were obtained from manual anthropometric measurements (DM). A paired t-test was used for comparison analysis.ResultsData showed no significant difference between the measurements of the handheld 3D scanner and DM.ConclusionUsing 3D scans for hand measurements is preferable because it is more efficient and has the same accuracy as DM. It is also useful for having these measurements in a simulated environment for easier manipulation and design specification.Learning OutcomesValidating handheld 3D scan data is crucial in having a better representation of the surgeon hand-instrument injury experience. The next step in our innovative approach would be to capture different hand postures handling instruments to help in the redesign process.