New ergonomic handles for laparoscopic instruments

A considerable amount of the instruments that are used during laparoscopic surgery cause physical, discomfort. One of the reasons for the insufficient design of instruments is the lack of standards for instrument design in th is field. In our project we create new standards for instrument design. Aim of this study is to see whether the new instruments that became available on the market recently, are improvements in the field of ergonomics. Accord ing to pilot: tests, literature studies and anthropometric data, new ergono mic criteria are formulated. With this new criteria new instruments are des igned and prototypes are manufactured. Currently available handles and our new prototypes are evaluated according to these new ergonomic criteria. Onl y our new developed prototypes satisfy all ergonomic criteria. The latest c urrently available instruments on the market are indeed improvements in the ergonomic field, but still do not satisfy all criteria.