3D Digital Human Models (DHMs) provide industrial designers 3D and 4D information on the dimensions of the human body and its range of motion. Current models are based on outdated data from research on military populations making them unrepresentative for civilian populations. Available DHMs require experience to properly use them, are vague on what they represent and positioning them is demanding. 3D scanning is gaining importance in the field of human factors engineering as personalized products can accurately be formed to match the users body and movement. Examples are the Exo-L, MeshLingerie and numerous cast- and prosthetic designs. Measurements extracted from 3D scans are currently equal or better than measurements done by hand, offering a quick and easy way to renew outdated data. yet no translation of 3D scans into DHMs has been made. In order to create an easy to use, intuitive ergonomic tool based on full body 3D scans, the medium of Virtual Reality (VR) was chosen. VR has proven itself an intuitive computer interface, promising for the handling of a 4D DHM, as well as increasingly affordable. Based on a literature study and field research requirements for a 4D DHM were put up. A functional prototype was built based on the found requirements and results from creative sessions. The effectiveness of the new tool was investigated through usability research. From this research it can be concluded that 3D scans can be used for creating 4D DHMs and that VR is a good medium to position such DHM for ergonomic assessment. All eight participants succeeded in positioning the DHM to their liking within ten minutes after first introduction to the tool.

Purpose As a result of the worldwide aging population, Vertebral Compression Fractures (VCF) are commonly detected in osteoporotic patients; these can originate from traumatic events or occur spontaneously. The existing VCF devices and their corresponding surgical instruments have their limitations in terms of short- and long-term performance, efficiency, safety, and complications. Amber Implants has developed an innovative new Titanium Implantable Vertebral Augmentation Device (TIVAD) that overcomes the shortcomings of the available state-of-the-art VCF devices. However, the specific surgical instruments required for the insertion and deployment of the TIVAD are yet to be developed. Methods A knowledge-driven iterative design process that includes extensive theoretical and empirical research together with spine surgeons, concept development, and experimental verification phases has been executed. Results The outcomes of the experiments have shown that the final TIVAD inserter and expander met the predefined requirements regarding efficiency, mechanical properties, and usability. These results lead to a significant contribution to the overall TIVAD procedure. Conclusions To summarize, it can be stated that the essential surgical instruments, the TIVAD inserter, and expander, enable the surgeon to insert and deploy the TIVAD to relieve the patient from its pain sensation and to restore the adequate spine curve while reducing the number of surgical steps, the overall surgery time, and thus costs. Additionally, the risk of infection and pulmonary embolisms is decreased significantly due to the TIVAD’s non-PMMA minimally invasive surgical procedure.

Objective: To develop a steerable neuroendoscopic instrument (SNI) based on user requirements found by several means of user research, and to evaluate this instrument on usability and safety. Only 5% of the potential intraventricular neuroendoscopy (INE) cases are currently treated with endoscopy. For the other 95%, an endoscopic approach is impossible, due to the risk of damaging the surrounding tissue by movement of the endoscopic system, needed to reach the affected areas inside the ventricles. A hand-held SNI is theorised to overcome these problems. Methods: A human-centered design (HCD) approach was taken to come to engineering solutions. Expert interviews, surveys and secondary research were performed to acquire the design input. Intermediary prototypes were developed and tested. For the final experiment, 10 participants, of which one neurosurgeon, performed a task in a box trainer. The endoscope was equipped with markers, used to evaluate the movement of the endoscope during the test by means of video analysis, comparing a rigid instrument and the new prototype in a two-tailed paired T-test. Usability was measured through a questionnaire. The spans between digit 1-2, 2-5 and 1-5 of the dominant hand of the participants was measured. Results: A biopsy forceps with a shaft length of 290mm, with a laser-cut articulating portion of 14mm and maximum bending of 40° was developed. Handle dimensions were based on a grip between the distal phalanges and the thenar area of the palm of 10th percentile hand measurements to enforce a stable grip. Significantly less non-angular movement than in the old instrument(p=0.009) was observed. Angular movement reduction was significant in one direction (p=0.032) but not in both (p=0.063). The handle prototype is slightly too large. The forces on the controls were comfortable. No relationship was detected between the finger span measurements and the usability score per participant. Conclusion: The prototype consists of a handle design based on human factor guidelines and multiple user evaluations, and an articulate tip based on DEAM’s technology, now with dimensions optimised for INE biopsy and ETV. Safety is improved by significantly limiting movement in the system during use.

On 15th of October 2018 the kick-off of the project took place. The assignment was to design a science based methodology for the creation of SRFACE wetsuits. The current design process is still almost entirely based on trial and error. A product designer draws seam lines on a 2D body outline, based on his knowledge about fit, insulation and performance. The production company creates and grades the pattern based on this design. A sample is made and adjusted based on the feedback of customers. This report investigates the opportunities of modern day technologies such as 3D body scanning to generate a new methodology. In the analysis phase the different stakeholders are assessed together with the current methodology. This resulted in a redefinition of the problem. The production company handles the creation and grading of the patterns based on the 2D design of SRFACE. This design is open for interpretation which results in a time and cost consuming optimization phase. Furthermore the anthropometry of the customers is unknown to both SRFACE and the production company. The sizing is therefore based on the sizing of other wetsuit brands. The feedback of the customers is the only input for improving the fit of the different sizes. The analysis phase resulted in the following main goals for the new methodology. It should incorporate: The creation and grading of wetsuit patterns Design for fit approach with the use of 3D body scans Digital prototyping Research was performed into the anthropometry for the creation of a sizing chart. The 3D body scan database CAESAR has been used as representation of European population. The scans of more than 1800 individuals have been filtered and classified into sizing groups using the height and chest circumference. In this process a new method is proposed for the creation of a new sizing system using the DINED Ellipse tool. This resulted in the creation of digital mannequins that represent average body types for every wetsuit size. These mannequins were then used as basis for the creation and testing of wetsuit patterns. The current SRFACE wetsuit pattern and materials were digitized and simulated in pattern design software Clo3D. The tightness during static and dynamic fit were assessed and used as reference for future wetsuit design. A new workflow is investigated that uses 3D digital pattern drawing with the 3D mannequins as basis. The resulting pattern was optimized using the stress and strain simulations and graded. A prototype is created of the base pattern to validate the design workflow. As a result a new methodology is proposed that incorporates a 3D wetsuit design workflow and digital prototyping. This new methodology gives SRFACE more control in optimization and reduces the amount of physical prototyping. Assessment of the prototype has shown that the new methodology is able to produce feasible pattern designs with a good fit. But further optimization is required. Using this methodology over time will increase its accuracy and build on gained knowledge. Multiple prototypes are still required but will decrease over time.

This report contains the entire process of the graduation project of the Industrial Design Engineering master, Integrated Product Design at the TU Delft. This project is a cooperation between me, Emmylou Hoppe, and the company CrossGuard and the TU Delft. The goal of this project was to gain knowledge about current shin protection in use during field hockey and apply this together with design and production techniques used at CrossGuard. The result is a superior ergonomic redesign of the current shin guards including a new part: the knee pad.The report has six phases; the introduction is a dive into the assignment and its context; the analysis is a closer look at the sport, its players and the market; the design brief in which all the data is interpreted and translated into usable criteria for the design; the synthesis is a combination of the ideation and conceptualisation phase in which the conclusions are applied in a design; the embodiment explores the chosen concept and details all aspects of the concept; and finally the reflection looks back at the process, progress and goals set in the beginning. During the introduction, the focus was on exploring the scope of the project. Finding a good place to begin and exploring the context of the assignment. At the end, specific project and personal goals were set and a planning was formulated to guide the process towards success.The analysis phase consisted of research into all aspects of the project. The goal was to be able to answer most of the research questions at the end of it. First the leg physicality was researched, finding weak spots and studying the geometry using 3d scanning. Secondly the target group was set and researched, using questionnaires and interviews. This concluded in a clear vision of what the consumer wants. The interaction with the current products and the current products themselves were benchmarked based on predefined aspects and tested for their efficiency in those aspects. Lastly the current sizing system was researched and a new sizing system was advised based on gained insights of the physiology and 3d scans.To conclude the analysis phase and to provide a guideline for the project the design brief was formulated using a vision: The shin guard should feel like a indestructible second skin. Protecting the sensitive areas, while not obstructing any movement nor causing any discomfort. And a challenge: To design a shin guard that provides the highest possible protection for the lower leg with modular options for specific situations, without compromising comfort nor maneuverability. In the design brief the criteria to validate the product are also set out, together with trends in this specific scope that can inform design decisions.The synthesis phase is the combination of the ideation and conceptualisation phase in which the found data will be applied towards a shin guard redesign. Rapid prototyping techniques to iterate between working on paper and having a physical prototype to try out were valuable to the success of this project. It allowed the combining of separately used solutions from different applications towards a single concept in the end. The final concept was chosen from a set of three, with a different focus point which their designs build on.The final phase in the design was the embodiment of the chosen concept into a product, the Ergo Pro shin & knee guard, looking at production techniques, material solutions and building a functioning prototype were central to this chapter. To validate the success of the Ergo Pro, it was benchmarked against existing solutions, tested with a regular player and an interview with an expert user was performed. The conclusions and improvement points were written down. A small roadmap for the company on how to introduce this product into the current market marks the end of this project.The reflection looks back at the process and the success of the final product, seeing if there are aspects that need more attention or if mistakes were made. Any other notes about the project will be made here as well.In the end the prototype testing validated the concept and the Ergo Pro shin & knee guard is a feasible product, which meets the goals and criteria set in the earlier chapters.

Humans are travelling, and they may need a toilet on the go. However, they try to avoid this toilet because they perceive it as being dirty. This research project improved the Dutch train toilet's hygiene by reducing physical, mental, and social distances between toilet, dirt, and train travellers.@en

When designing products like bicycle helmets or oxygen masks, achieving a good fit is crucial for optimal functioning, usability, safety, and comfort. Integrating anthropometric data in the development and design of products, workplaces, and environments whilst understanding the variations in anthropometric measurements amongst users will improve the usability, comfort, efficiency and interaction of products, subsequently enhancing the overall user experience. Thus, accurate and detailed measurements of the human body shape in general and for a specific target population in particular, are essential for designing products that require a close fit. Therefore, designers should integrate relevant properties of the body, especially anthropometric dimensions in their design process to optimize the fit between the product and the relevant body part. Recent advancements in 3D imaging technologies have made it possible to collect anthropometric data faster, with higher accuracy and reproducibility. This has led to the increasing use of 3D imaging technologies in anthropometric surveys worldwide, providing detailed anthropometric information for the design of products that closely conform to the human body. Although various anthropometric tools are available, both in 2D and 3D, designers often rely on traditional 1D anthropometric information when designing and sizing products due to familiarity, ease of use, and cost-efficiency of these tools. However, traditional anthropometric information may not provide sufficient details about the human body shape required for developing products with an optimal fit. While there are advantages to using 3D anthropometric data, there are challenges in integrating it into the design process. The complexity and large quantity of data, making it challenging to sort and analyse both quantitatively and qualitatively. Additionally, there is a lack of established procedures on how to effectively use 3D anthropometric data in product sizing, and limited research has been conducted on its application in the design process and the needs of designers themselves...@en

When breast cancer is detected early, and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 100%. (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2019) There is a survival advantage in detecting breast cancer early and treating it quickly (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019; Cancer Australia, 2004, updated 2009; McDonald, Saslow, and Alciati, 2004; National Breast Cancer Foundation, 2019). Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) is a method which can fast track symptomatic women with a breast lump to scarce medical specialist resources to speed the investigation into their putative cancer and facilitate early treatment if needed. Yet too many medical students and doctors feel they could improve their skills in clinical breast examination. Realistic breast models will help the necessary training (Saslow et al. 2004). But knowing what skills need to be transferred and how to design physical breast models are very different things. What are the important skills in identifying and discriminating breast masses by touch and how do simulation models and a validated testing tool assist skill acquisition? Here’s a good example of the creation and development of a successful design from the following brief: to make physical breast models realistic enough to be integral to training and a subsequent testing package, where medical personnel acquire, maintain and improve the skills required to detect possible breast cancer by palpation. @en