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Ergonomic tool to reduce lab technician strain

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Project Overview

Lab rodents are housed in caging on a stainless steel rack with plastic drawers that slide in and out to hold the animals. The problem is caused when the plastics stick causing strain on lab tech's shoulders, wrists, elbows because of the high forces needed to pull them. Each cage is opened 6-8 times each day and the tech has to reach the top cages as well as the bottom ones, putting them in frequent awkward postures and loads in the arms and shoulders. In order to make ergonomic improvement to reduce the lab technician strain, our team is intended to design a cage opener (pulling mechanism, lever, handle etc.) and to devise a way to make the plastics stick less (cannot alter size/shape of cages, lubricants need to be able to withstand washing).

Team Picture

Team members from left to right: Matthew Grondin, Olivia Velazquez, Yitong He, Claire Hintz, Micaella Poehler, and Jonathon Leja
Team members from left to right: Matthew Grondin, Olivia Velazquez, Yitong He, Claire Hintz, Micaella Poehler, and Jonathon Leja

Images

Final Prototype with Forces and Dimensions (Fall 2015)
Final Prototype with Forces and Dimensions (Fall 2015)
Prototype Orientation with System
Prototype Orientation with System

Contact Information

Team Members

  • Claire Hintz - Team Leader
  • Jonathon Leja - Communicator
  • Matthew Grondin - Co-BSAC
  • Olivia Velazquez - Co-BSAC
  • Yitong He - BWIG
  • Micaella Poehler - BPAG

Advisor and Client

  • Prof. Tracy Jane Puccinelli - Advisor
  • Dr. Robert Radwin - Client
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