Ultrasound Probe Covers

The Ultrasound Probe Covers were developed as an ergonomic intervention for Duke Medical. The project was a joint effort between North Carolina State University’s Industrial Design program and the Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University.

The project was created to improve the working environment for ultrasound technicians, by reducing the stress created from ultrasound imaging operation. Ultrasound technicians work in an extremely stressful environment. They work long hours directly with patients, and are required to manipulate and move the patients body to obtain high quality images. Most patients requiring ultrasound imaging are overweight or pregnant, which makes obtaining clear images difficult.

When imaging obese patients, ultrasound technicians must force the probe against the patients body and move excess skin all while operating the imaging computer. This complicated task is extremely difficult and stressful for the technician’s arms and hands.

Due to the extreme stress of the technicians work environment, there is a large turnover rate for ultrasound technicians. Reducing work related stress from probe operation could potentially reduce hospital expenses for hiring new technicians and improve patient care and ultrasound image quality.

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