Ergonomic Computer Mouse
Problem
Wearing a wrist brace to reduce triggering inflammation and impingement can be an effective solution for many people with joint and nerve issues. However, in this situation, the client’s wrist brace prevented them from comfortably and efficiently using a computer mouse, which is essential to their occupation.
One of the main issues with the wrist brace is that the splint portion of the brace extends into the mid-palm area of the hand, interfering with the curvature of a standard mouse. As a result, the client’s hand is more elevated, and they cannot reach the buttons on the mouse without lifting their elbow to rotate their hand and forearm downwards. This puts them in compromised position and does not promote an ergonomic work environment. After trying multiple variations of computer mice including a vertical mouse, the client reached out requesting a custom solution.
The Design Process
To start the project my team and I met with the client to gain a deeper understanding of their needs and expectations. Some of the key requirements outlined by the client included that the solution must be lightweight, easy to set up, must maintain wireless functionality, and allow for ergonomic use. While the first three criteria were easier to analyze, the ergonomics was more challenging. Fortunately, my team had the privilege of collaborating with occupational therapy students who provided valuable insight into the ideal wrist, elbow and shoulder joint angles associated with an ergonomic position.
After considerable design refinement, a 3D printed prototype design was sent over to the client to gain feedback. As seen in the diagrams, the mouse top shell contains many noticeable features including a groove in the middle that decreases the brace interference, an elevated thumb rest that allows for a more relaxed grip of the mouse, and angled buttons to promote a slightly supinated wrist position.
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The general feedback from the client was that the wrist groove needed to be deeper and the overall size of the mouse top should be increased.
Refined Solution
After modifying the above design to meet the client’s requests, a digital version of the mouse assembly was prepared. This version includes the necessary hardware which was borrowed from a standard Bluetooth Logitech mouse. As a result, the design includes wireless functionality that is easy to set up with a computer as it uses common drivers. There is also a micro USB port at the front of the device to allow for the device to be charged while being used.
Note: This design was later passed on to a group of summer students who finished up the remainder of the project with the client. This summary reflects the process up to that point.