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This paper is the first report of robotic ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection). ICSI is a clinical procedure performed worldwide in fertility clinics, requiring pick-up of a single sperm and insert it into oocyte (i.e., an egg cell). Since its invention 20 years ago, ICSI has been conducted manually by a handful of highly skilled embryologists; however, success rates vary significantly among clinics due to poor reproducibility and inconsistency across operators. We leverage our work in robotic cell injection to realize robotic ICSI and aim ultimately, to standardize how clinical ICSI is performed. This paper presents some of the technical aspects of our robotic ICSI system, including a cell holding device and motion control and computer vision algorithms. The system performs visual tracking of single sperm, robotic immobilization of sperm, aspiration of sperm with pico-liter volume, and insertion of sperm into an oocyte with a high degree of reproducibility. The system requires minimal human involvement (requiring only a few computer mouse clicking), and is human operator skill independent. Using the hamster oocyte-human sperm model in preliminary trials, the robotic system demonstrated a high success rate of 90.0% and survival rate of 90.7% (n=120).

This paper is the first report of robotic intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). ICSI is a clinical procedure performed worldwide in fertility clinics, requiring pick-up of a single sperm and insertion of it into an oocyte (i.e., egg cell). Since its invention 20 years ago, ICSI has been conducted manually by a handful of highly skilled embryologists; however, success rates vary significantly among clinics due to poor reproducibility and inconsistency across operators. We leverage our work in robotic cell injection to realize robotic ICSI and aim ultimately, to standardize how clinical ICSI is performed. This paper presents some of the technical aspects of our robotic ICSI system, including a cell holding device, motion control, and computer vision algorithms. The system performs visual tracking of single sperm, robotic immobilization of sperm, aspiration of sperm with picoliter volume, and insertion of sperm into an oocyte with a high degree of reproducibility. The system requires minimal human involvement (requiring only a few computer mouse clicks), and is human operator skill independent. Using the hamster oocyte-human sperm model in preliminary trials, the robotic system demonstrated a high success rate of 90.0% and survival rate of 90.7% (n = 120).

Although the roles of shape and pigmentation cues in face categorization have been studied in detail, the time-course of their processing has remained elusive. We measured participants’ hand movements via the computer mouse en route to male or female responses (gender task) or young or old responses (age task) on the screen. Participants were presented with male and female faces (gender task) or with young and old faces (age task) that were typical, shape-atypical, or pigmentation-atypical. Before settling into correct categorizations, the processing of atypical cues led hand trajectories to deviate toward the opposite gender or age category. A temporal analysis of these trajectory deviations revealed dissociable dynamics in shape and pigmentation processing. Pigmentation had a privileged, early role during gender categorization, preceding shape effects by approximately 50 ms and preceding pigmentation effects in age categorization by 100 ms. In age categorization, however, pigmentation had a simultaneous onset of influence as shape. It also had a more dominant influence than shape throughout the gender and age categorization process. The results reveal the time-course of shape and pigmentation processing in gender and age categorization.

Background: Elbow range of motion for functional tasks has been previously studied. Motion arcs necessary to complete contemporary tasks such as using a keyboard or cellular telephone have not been studied and could have implications on what is considered to be a functional arc of motion for these tasks. The purpose of this study was to determine elbow range of motion, including flexion-extension, pronation-supination, and varus-valgus angulation, with use of three-dimensional optical tracking technology for several previously described positional and functional tasks along with various contemporary tasks. Methods: Twenty-five patients performed six positional and eleven functional tasks (both historical and contemporary). Elbow flexion-extension, varus-valgus, and forearm rotation (pronation and supination) ranges of motion were measured. Results: Positional tasks required a minimum (mean and standard deviation) of 27° ± 7° of flexion and a maximum of 149° ± 5° of flexion. Forearm rotation ranged from 20.0° ± 18° of pronation to 104° ± 10° of supination. Varus and valgus angulations ranged between 2° ± 5° of varus to 9° ± 5° of valgus. For functional tasks, the maximum flexion arc was 130° ± 7°, with a minimum value recorded as 23° ± 6° and a maximum value recorded as 142° ± 3°. All of these were for the cellular telephone task. The maximum pronation-supination arc (103° ± 34°) was found with using a fork. Maximum pronation was found with typing on a keyboard (65° ± 8°). Maximum supination was found with opening a door (77° ± 13°). Maximum varus-valgus arc of motion was 11° ± 4°. Minimum valgus (0° ± 6°) was found with cutting with a knife, while maximum valgus (13° ± 6°) was found with opening a door. Conclusions: Functional elbow range of motion necessary for activities of daily living may be greater than previously reported. Contemporary tasks, such as using a computer mouse and keyboard, appear to require greater pronation than other tasks, and using a cellular telephone usually requires greater flexion than other tasks.

Mechanical tools are transparent in the sense that their input-output relations can be derived from their perceptible characteristics. Modern technology creates more and more tools that lack mechanical transparency, such as in the control of the position of a cursor by means of a computer mouse or some other input device. We inquired whether an enhancement of transparency by means of presenting the shaft of a virtual sliding lever, which governed the transformation of hand position into cursor position, supports performance of aimed cursor movement and the acquisition of an internal model of the transformation in both younger and older adults. Enhanced transparency resulted in an improvement of visual closed-loop control in terms of movement time and curvature of cursor paths. The movement-time improvement was more pronounced at older working age than at younger working age, so that the enhancement of transparency can serve as a means to mitigate age-related declines in performance. Benefits for the acquisition of an internal model of the transformation and of explicit knowledge were absent. Thus, open-loop control in this task did not profit from enhanced mechanical transparency. These findings strongly suggest that environmental support of transparency of the effects of input devices on controlled systems might be a powerful tool to support older users. Enhanced transparency may also improve simulator-based training by increasing motivation, even if training benefits do not transfer to situations without enhanced transparency.

Fitts' law states that movement time can be predicted by knowing the size of a target to which a person is intending to move and the distance to be moved. The current study measured choice-movement time with three input devices commonly used in human-computer interaction tasks: response panel, computer mouse, and touch-screen. We also examined how direction of movement with the different input devices influences performance. Movement time was shorter when responses were made with the response panel than with the mouse and touch-screen. Furthermore, horizontal movement time was faster than vertical movement time, even when the size of the stimuli and distance to be moved were equal. Fitts' law was used to estimate the slope and intercepts of the functions for each input device and dimension to determine whether the devices and dimensions had greater influence on the starting time or the speed of execution.

Eye tracking is a well-established method of computer control for profoundly paralysed people (Anson et al., 2002). Cameras are commonly used to track eye movements (Morimoto et al., 2005) but one alternative is the bioelectrical signal known as the electrooculogram (EOG). There are some EOG mouse control systems that facilitate the use of GUI applications, but certain actions, which are straightforward using a conventional mouse, remain impossible. Unless the eyes are tracking a target, they move in saccades (jumps), making it impossible to voluntarily trace out smooth trajectories with one's gaze, as would be required to draw a smooth curve. The conventional paradigm for EOG mouse control maps horizontal and vertical angular displacement of the eyes onto the coordinates of the mouse pointer (Gips et al. and Estrany et al., 2008), while the head remains stationary. Reversing this paradigm, if the point of fixation remains unchanged, the EOG can measure head movement. The present system adopts this approach, mapping smooth, saccade-free head movement onto mouse pointer movement, while the gaze remains fixed on a point that is either stationary or moving smoothly (e.g. the mouse pointer). Because the eyes move in pursuit mode rather than in saccades, smooth mouse control is possible. Voltage drift, which arises due to changing electrode junction voltages, poses a serious problem for EOG-based mouse control. In this paper we show how an accelerometer can be used to mitigate the effect of voltage drift.

A computer simulation was developed to examine the effects of immediate versus delayed visual feedback on the accuracy of identifying errors (signals) in sample stimuli. In a self-paced computer tutorial, subjects learned to identify particular aberrations in a schematic diagram of a hard disk drive. During experimental sessions, subjects were exposed to a series of 200 samples presented four at a time sequentially on a computer screen, and were required to indicate with a computer mouse whether or not each sample drive contained a signal. Accuracy of signal detection was assessed under four experimental conditions: (1) self-paced, immediate feedback, in which the pace of stimulus presentations was controlled by the subject and the cumulative percentage of correct responses was displayed on the computer screen immediately following each quality control response, (2) self-paced, delayed feedback, in which feedback was displayed only at the end of the session (following completion of the 200th quality contr...

Despite the increasing reliance on computers and the associated health risks, computer-related dermatoses remain under-represented in the literature. This term collectively refers to four groups of cutaneous pathologies: 1) allergic contact dermatitis from exposure to certain chemicals in computer accessories, 2) various friction-induced hand lesions resulting from prolonged computer use, 3) erythema ab igne from placement of the laptop on the skin, and 4) "screen dermatitis" from excessive exposure to visual display terminals (VDTs). Within this review we also present a case of a friction-induced lichenified dermatosis in the dominant wrist of a 24-year-old female that was caused by excessive use of her computer mouse. More importantly, we review the literature of all previously reported cases of computer-related dermatoses, so as to promote recognition and appropriate management by both patients and physicians.

This paper describes how a standard optical mouse was augmented by the addition of a touch sensor inside the body of the mouse. When the mouse is released and subsequently touched it generates a Windows message which can then be used to execute an action. Three techniques were developed using the augmented mouse (nicknamed 'FieldMouse') to help older adult computer users find the mouse cursor when it has become 'lost': placing the mouse cursor at the center of the screen; wiggling the mouse cursor from side to side; displaying a flashing red ring around the mouse cursor. The techniques were compared in a pilot study to see which one was the most effective, and this would then be used in a later study to compare techniques of finding the mouse cursor. Following the pilot, the technique of centering the mouse cursor was chosen for the later study since it was the quickest to find the mouse cursor, without needing to search the entire screen.

We proposed the mouse to control a computer mouse with head rotations and eye blinks so that the severe disabled person can use a computer. We compared the performance of the proposed mouse to that of a general computer mouse and to that of alternative mouses such as Quick glance using eye movements and a Camera mouse using face movements. The mouse positions were estimated using gyro sensors that can measure the angular velocity of head rotations, and mouse events such as clicks/double clicks were detected using opto-sensors that can detect blinking of the eyes. We could eliminate the need to perform the cumbersome task of periodically removing the accumulated error. We facilitated intuitive control of the mouse by using a nonlinear relative coordinates system with dead zones. We added circuitry to opto-sensors for event detection in order to reduce the influence of the ambient light changes. As a result, we could increase the mouse movements and events accuracy. The proposed mouse showed superior performance about 21% in the experiment of the 20 times clicks, about 25% of Dasher, and about 37% of on-screen keyboard, respectively. The mouse is also better than Camera Mouse, which is used along with a web cam.

This paper presents the real-time analysis for moving laser speckle patterns by using image processing techniques. Based on the characteristics of repeatable and correlated patterns, the method of dynamic correlation matching is adopted to develop precision positioning rules for laser speckle patterns. This is to verify that the image capturing device for invariant laser speckle patterns can not only be used for laser optical mice, but also can be applied for precision positioning. Experimental results demonstrate that accurate direction and displacement information of moving speckle patterns can be obtained in real-time and this can be used to correctly drive the computer cursor like operating a real computer mouse. Therefore, the proposed system design is suitable for developing applications of precision positioning in the future.

This workshop will explore the use of low-cost materials and tools to build textile-based interfaces that replace the current hard-shell computer mice or laptop touchpads that you use to navigate your screen. We will introduce a range of methods for handcrafting textile input devices. Participants will learn techniques developed by the workshop leaders and will also be encouraged to use our materials library to design their own custom mice. The goal of the workshop is to familiarize participants with available electronic textile materials, to introduce them to a variety of sensor and circuitry construction techniques and get people thinking about different interfaces that allow you interact differently with everyday technology.

A Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) system that is designed for individuals with severe disabilities to simulate control of a traditional computer mouse is introduced. The camera-based system monitors a user's eyes and allows the user to simulate clicking the mouse using voluntary blinks and winks. For users who can control head movements and can wink with one eye while keeping their other eye visibly open, the system allows complete use of a typical mouse, including moving the pointer, left and right clicking, double clicking, and click-and-dragging. For users who cannot wink but can blink voluntarily the system allows the user to perform left clicks, the most common and useful mouse action. The system does not require any training data to distinguish open eyes versus closed eyes. Eye classification is accomplished online during real-time interactions. The system had an accuracy of 8027/8306 = 96.6% in classifying sub-images with open or closed eyes and successfully allows the users to simulate a traditional computer mouse.

In this paper, we implement a computer mouse for demonstrating the idea of form-function synchronization by embedding deformation sensing modules consisting of deformable foam and Hall-effect sensors. Due to its automatic sensing, recognizing and actuating mechanisms actively responding to users' diverse gestures, we have chosen to name it Adaptive Mouse. Working with Adaptive Mouse, all users have to do is to hold it with preferred hand gestures, then through the use of their fore and middle fingers the correct button functions will intuitively be triggered. Users can also freely move the mouse and always get accurate cursor feedbacks. This "intuitive holds then clicks" action creates sense of "magic", and the mouse shape with minimum visual clues not only lowers mental loads but also achieves the goal of simplicity design.

Modern tools often separate the visual and physical aspects of operation, requiring users to manipulate an instrument while viewing the results indirectly on a display. This can pose usability challenges particularly in applications, such as laparoscopic surgery, that require a high degree of movement precision. Magnification used to augment the view and, theoretically, enable finer movements, may introduce other visual-motor disruptions due to the apparent speed of the visual motion on screen (i.e., motion scaling). In this research, we sought to better understand the effects of visual magnification on human movement performance and control in operating a tool via indirect vision. Ten adult participants manipulated a computer mouse to direct a pointer to targets on a display. Results (Experiment 1) showed that, despite increased motion scaling, magnification of the view on screen enabled higher precision control of the mouse pointer. However, the relative effectiveness of visual magnification ultimately depended on the scale of the physical movement, and more specifically the precision limits of the whole-hand grip afforded by the mouse. When the physical scale of the hand/mouse movement was reduced (Experiment 2), fine-precision control began to reach its limits, even at full magnification. The role of magnification can thus be understood as "amplifying" the particular skill level afforded by the effecting limb. These findings suggest a fruitful area for future research is the optimization of hand-control interfaces of tools to maximize movement precision.

This paper describes a novel method to indicate tactile sensation through a PC mouse using friction control applying surface acoustic wave (SAW). For the friction control, a wave-circulating SAW transducer is proposed. In the structure, the wave excited by the oscillator can circulate around the substrate surface to improve energy efficiency. In this research, a tactile mouse, which is a computer mouse with tactile feedback, is proposed. The tactile feedback applying the friction control is described. The friction between the mouse and a mouse pad can be controlled by mechanical vibration of the SAW. Fabrication and characteristics of the SAW transducer are indicated. Successful work of the tactile mouse is also reported.

We report an initial study on the use of visuohaptic simulation in teaching STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) topics, with particular emphasis on physics concepts related to the learning of nanotechnology at the undergraduate level. Visuohaptic simulations of point charges and their interactions were developed. Thirty-eight undergraduate students from a physics lab course were recruited to participate in an educational study. Half of the students were assigned to a visuohaptic (VH) group where they could see as well as feel interaction forces rendered with a Falcon force-feedback device. The other half of the students were assigned to a visual (V) group where they could interact with the same simulation via a computer mouse but did not feel any forces. Results from a 10-question content test showed that both groups benefited from the computer simulation. There were no statistical differences between the VH and V groups, presumably due to the relatively small number of participants who completed quantitative assessments. However, qualitative results from observations and interviews indicated that students in the VH groups were more motivated and engaged in the lab activities, reported more positive attitude towards learning, and felt more confident about their understanding and retention of knowledge. Our findings have been used to design a larger-scale study that will further investigate the use of visuohaptic technology in nanotechnology education.

This article examines the impact of task control on perceived control and cardiovascular processes. Fifty-eight undergraduates performed a computer task where the functionality of the computer mouse was used to manipulate task control. Results are consistent with the proposition that actual control triggers an initial physiological response which can be modified temporally later by perceived control and that male participants react psychologically faster to changes in task control than female participants.

The aim of this experimental study was to compare a pen to a computer mouse as an alternative input device while taking learning effects into consideration. 20 subjects performed a test program (single/double click and drag and drop) with each device on five consecutive days. For performance, time to complete the tasks was measured. After five days, performance differed significantly with F = 204.4 and p

Selecting a graphical item by pointing with a computer mouse is a ubiquitous task in many graphical user interfaces. Several techniques have been suggested to facilitate this task, for instance, by reducing the required movement distance. Here we measure the natural coordination of eye and mouse pointer control across several search and selection tasks. We find that users automatically minimize the distance to likely targets in an intelligent, task dependent way. When target location is highly predictable, top-down knowledge can enable users to initiate pointer movements prior to target fixation. These findings ques-tion the utility of existing assistive pointing techniques and suggest that alternative approaches might be more effective.

The present study was designed to examine the role of boredom, perceived mental workload, and perceived control in vigilance. Subjective estimates of boredom and mental workload were measured before and after a 40 minute vigil during which movements of a computer mouse were monitored. In addition, subjects were administered Rotter's (1966) locus of control inventory. Subjects who made progressively more movements over time reported the highest levels of boredom and workload. In addition, the subjects with the highest performance levels were the most cautious in their responding, had an internal locus of control, and tended to experience less frustration. Significant, positive correlations were also observed between the boredom and workload scores suggesting that boredom may be an important contributor to mental workload in sustained attention.

Data and theoretical estimates reported by Segalowitz and Graves (1990) and Crosbie (1990) regarding delays of serial Microsoft mouse response registration are corrected and extended. Empirically measured mouse responses clearly confirm a theoretical minimum delay time of 22.5 msec for Microsoft-compatible serial mouse devices. Timing accuracy of key actions for the serial, bus, and PS/2 mouse devices are presented.

Learning experiences for middle school girls are an effective means to steer young women toward secondary engineering curricula that they might not have otherwise considered. Sponsorship of such experiences by a collegiate student group is worthwhile, as it gives the group common purpose and places college students in a position to mentor these young women. This paper addresses learning experiences in different areas of bio-medical engineering offered to middle school girls in November 2008 via a day-long workshop entitled “Engineering The Body.” The Kansas State University (KSU) Student Chapter of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) worked with the KSU Women in Engineering and Science Program (WESP) to design and sponsor these experiences, which addressed the areas of joint mechanics, electrocardiograms, membrane transport, computer mouse design, and audio filters for cochlear implants. Fifty five middle-school girls participated in this event, affirming the notion that biomedical engineering appeals to young women and that early education and recruitment efforts have the potential to expand the biomedical engineering talent pool.

The rate of drug delivery to the central nervous system is believed to be an important predictor of the reinforcing strength of a drug. However, only a few studies have directly examined the relationship between drug-taking behavior and rate of drug administration. The purpose of the present experiment was to determine whether manipulating the infusion rate of a fixed dose of opioid alters its reinforcing effectiveness in humans. Twelve heroin-dependent participants (11 male, one female) completed the 2.5-week inpatient study. During test days, participants received $20 and a dose of drug (0 or 40 mg oxycodone administered intravenously over 2, 15, 30, 60, or 90 minutes) in random order during a morning sample session. Participants then worked for the sampled dose and/or money amount during an afternoon choice session by making finger presses on a computer mouse. Under these conditions, 40 mg oxycodone served as a reinforcer only when it was delivered over 2 and 15 minutes. Subjective ratings of drug liking, good effect, and high were similar to the self-administration results. Peak plasma levels of oxycodone generally occurred at the end of each infusion, eg, 2 minutes for the 2-minute infusion duration. Extended-release opioid medications are commonly prescribed for treating pain. The present results provide empirical support for the development of extended-release opioid medications that are difficult to convert into more rapid-acting forms. Specifically, these “abuse-deterrent formulations” could prevent patients from tampering with their medications to enhance their euphoric and reinforcing effects.

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Perceivers spontaneously sort other people's faces into social categories and activate the stereotype knowledge associated with those categories. In the work described here, participants, presented with sex-typical and sex-atypical faces (i.e., faces containing a mixture of male and female features), identified which of two gender stereotypes (one masculine and one feminine) was appropriate for the face. Meanwhile, their hand movements were measured by recording the streaming x, y coordinates of the computer mouse. As participants stereotyped sex-atypical faces, real-time motor responses exhibited a continuous spatial attraction toward the opposite-gender stereotype. These data provide evidence for the partial and parallel activation of stereotypes belonging to alternate social categories. Thus, perceptual cues of the face can trigger a graded mixture of simultaneously active stereotype knowledge tied to alternate social categories, and this mixture settles over time onto ultimate judgments.

This study examined the effect of idle time setting on the estimation of computer use times by electronic activity monitoring and validated its use by comparing it with video record observations. Twenty-four study subjects were recruited and their work with computers was monitored for 1 h. With the estimates by video record observation as references, the best idle time settings for electronic activity monitoring with the least relative errors were 25, 2.5 and 2.5 s, respectively, for total computer, keyboard and mouse use time estimations. These estimates were highly correlated with the corresponding references (r = 0.918-0.964, p0.0001), accompanied by limited mean estimate differences ranging from -3.0 +/- 2.8% to 1.3 +/- 1.6%. The estimates by self-report were moderately correlated with the corresponding references (r = 0.387-0.678), with greater mean estimate differences. This study concluded that, for electronic activity monitoring methods, the most appropriate thresholds for idle time setting are 25 s, 2.5 s and 2.5 s for total computer, keyboard and mouse use time estimates, respectively. This method may help evaluate physical work-loading with computer works through a large-scale epidemiological study.

High prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms/disorders in neck and upper extremities are reported among computer users. Considering the widespread use of information and communication technology (ICT) and mobile phones becoming more and more like computers with small keyboards it is of importance to identify the factors and conditions related to this use, that influence our health. The overall aim of this thesis was to obtain new ergonomic knowledge of the physical exposure associated with the use of information and communication technology with emphasis on small keyboards, computer mice and young adult ICT users. In an interview study with young adult ICT users, where the data analysis was performed with the grounded theory method, was showed that the young adults experienced ICT as a tool for being and acting in the present, to be social, efficient and independent with almost unlimited opportunities but also risks. A comparative experimental study with experienced computer mouse users evaluated muscle activity with surface electromyography and wrist positions/movements with electrogoniometry during work with a traditional flat computer mouse (pronated hand position) and a vertical computer mouse (neutral hand position). Work with the vertical computer mouse decreased the muscle activity in the extensor muscles in the forearm and in the first dorsal interossei muscle, and the ulnar deviation in the wrist compared to the traditional mouse. An experimental study, with young adults with and without musculoskeletal symptoms from neck and/or upper extremities, evaluated thumb positions/movements with electrogoniometry, muscle activity with surface electromyography, and working techniques with an observational protocol when text entering on a mobile phone. The young adults with symptoms had lower muscle activity in the abductor pollicis longus and tended to have higher velocity and fewer pauses in the thumb movements compared to those without symptoms. Females had higher muscle activity in the first dorsal interossei and the abductor pollicis longus compared to males. It was more common in the group with symptoms to sit with the head bent forward, to sit without forearm and back support and to enter text with one thumb rather than two compared to those without symptoms. Use of forearm support decreased the muscle activity in the trapezius muscles. Use of one hand grip increased the muscle activity in the extensor muscles in the forearm. High observed velocity in the thumb movements was associated with increased muscle activity in the extensor muscles in the forearm compared to low or moderate velocity. In conclusion, this thesis shows that computer mouse design has an effect on the muscle activity in the forearm and hand, and on the wrist positions and movements. It also shows that the individual factors working technique and gender have an effect on muscle activity and thumb movements when entering text on a mobile phone. Furthermore, there were differences in working techniques, thumb movements, and muscle activity between the young adults with musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck and upper extremities and those without symptoms.

Taking a different architecture than manual operation and existing microrobotic systems, this paper presents the first automated system that employs novel microfabricated cell holding devices and vision-position based control of multiple motion control devices to achieve easy sample immobilization, rapid cell orientation, and fast injection of mouse embryos. The system requires minimal human involvement through a maximum of three computer mouse clicking per mouse embryo, is human operator skill independent, and is immune from fatigue. While no robotic systems have provided performance close to manual operation, according to the preliminary experimental results (n = 90) from this study, this microrobotic system demonstrated: (i) an injection speed of 9 embryos/min vs. 2 embryos/min in typical manual operation, (ii) a success rate of 98.9%, a higher rate than the best success rate (90%) achieved by proficient injection technicians with over 10 years' experience, and (iii) a high survival rate of 82.1%, a rate comparable with the best survival rate (∼80%) achieved by proficient injection technicians. Further improvement of the automated system will change the way of how mouse embryos are injected and promise its practical use in biology laboratories and mouse facilities.

Service projects offer volunteer student organizations a means to generate interest and focus activity outside of the context of the classroom. This paper addresses efforts by the Kansas State University (KSU) Student Chapter of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) to initiate and guide service projects in two primary areas: (1) research to aid persons with disabilities (RAPD) and (2) hands-on efforts to interest young women in the quantitative fields of science and engineering. Three RAPD projects are presented: a computer mouse design that helps to alleviate productivity problems associated with Parkinson's tremors, a battery removal tool for arthritic individuals with limited dexterity, and a wireless door control and communication system to assist mobility-limited individuals. Service projects to garner science and engineering interest in young women are co-sponsored by the KSU Women in Engineering and Science Program (WESP). The most recent activity, entitled “Vital Signs Shirts,” is presented in this paper, along with a summary of pending interactive laboratories designed to interest participants in engineering as applied to the human body. These service projects encourage IEEE EMBS student chapter members to explore their biomedical engineering interests and make a positive impact in the community.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine if an alternative mouse promotes more neutral postures and decreases forearm muscle activity and if training enhances these biomechanical benefits. Background: Computer mouse use is a risk factor for developing musculoskeletal disorders; alternative mouse designs can help lower these risks. Ergonomic training combined with alternative input devices could be even more effective than alternative designs alone. Methods: Thirty healthy adults (15 males, 15 females) performed a set of computer mouse tasks with a standard mouse and an alternative mouse while an electromagnetic motion analysis system measured their wrist and forearm postures and surface electromyography measured the muscle activity of three wrist extensor muscles. Fifteen participants received no training on how to hold the alternative mouse, whereas the remaining 15 participants received verbal instructions before and during use of the alternative mouse. Results: The alternative mouse was found to promote a more neutral forearm posture compared with the standard mouse (up to 11.5° lower forearm pronation); however, pronation was further reduced when instructions on how to hold the mouse were provided. Wrist extensor muscle activity was reduced for the alternative mouse (up to 1.8% of maximum voluntary contraction lower) compared with the standard mouse, but only after participants received instructions. Conclusion: The alternative mouse design decreased biomechanical exposures; however, instructions enhanced this potential ergonomic benefit of the design. Application: User knowledge and training are important factors when effectively implementing an alternative ergonomic device.

Intentional errors are considered a form of deceit. In this pilot study, the pressures applied to a computer mouse will be analyzed to determine if it is possible to detect intentional errors. Twenty participants ranging in age from 18 to 21 years performed a task involving intentionally making errors when instructed. A comparison will be made between the pressures applied to a computer mouse when answering the questions with the intention of being correct and with the intention of making an error. The data will need to be normalized for each individual to obtain accurate results. The analysis of the pressures may indicate that there are detectable variations within some individuals. Due to the preliminary nature of this study further research will be required.

The nature of knowledge retention is not that a student either knows or doesn't. Using signal detection theory, the correct and incorrect responses a student provides can each be subdivided into two more levels of knowledge using the student's confidence of answer correctness. The proposed study will attempt to link confidence of answer correctness to the categorized pressures applied to a computer mouse allowing for the partitioning of responses. Twenty participants that were part of a pedagogical methods study will be retested using a computer-based multiple choice test and pressure sensitive computer mouse. Participants will also rate their confidence of answer correctness. It is hypothesized that the analyzed pressures applied to the computer mouse will indicate the confidence of answer correctness. Using the categorized pressures from the computer mouse allows for the real-time assessment of a student's knowledge to guide pedagogical follow-up.

This paper reports on a semi-automated microrobotic system for adherent cell injection. Different from embryos/oocytes that have a spherical shape and regular morphology, adherent cells are flat with a thickness of a few micrometers and are highly irregular in morphology. Based on computer vision microscopy and motion control, the system coordinately controls a three-degrees-of-freedom microrobot and a precision XY stage, demonstrating an injection speed of 25 endothelial cells per minute with a survival rate of 95.7% and a success rate of 82.4% (n=1012). The system has a high degree of performance consistency. It is operator skill independent and immune from human fatigue, only requiring a human operator to select injection destinations through computer mouse clicking as the only operator intervention. The microrobotic system makes the injection of a large number of adherent cells practical for testing cellular responses to foreign molecules.

We investigated the performance of three user interfaces for restoration of cursor control in individuals with tetraplegia: head orientation, electromyography (EMG) from face and neck muscles, and a standard computer mouse (for comparison). Subjects engaged in a 2-D, center-out, Fitts' Law style task and performance was evaluated using several measures. Overall, head orientation commanded motion resembled mouse commanded cursor motion (smooth, accurate movements to all targets), although with somewhat lower performance. EMG commanded movements exhibited a higher average speed, but other performance measures were lower, particularly for diagonal targets. Compared to head orientation, EMG as a cursor command source was less accurate, was more affected by target direction and was more prone to overshoot the target. In particular, EMG commands for diagonal targets were more sequential, moving first in one direction and then the other rather than moving simultaneous in the two directions. While the relative performance of each user interface differs, each has specific advantages depending on the application.

Udgivelsesdato: 2009-Dec The aim of this laboratory study was to evaluate effects of active and passive pauses and investigate the distribution of the trapezius surface electromyographic (SEMG) activity during computer mouse work. Twelve healthy male subjects performed four sessions of computer work for 10 min in one day, with passive (relax) and active (30% maximum voluntary contraction of shoulder elevation) pauses given every 2 min at two different work paces (low/high). Bipolar SEMG from four parts of the trapezius muscle was recorded. The relative rest time was higher for the lower parts compared with the upper of the trapezius (p

Adaptation to novel visuomotor transformations for example when navigating a cursor on a computer monitor by using a computer mouse, can be explicit or implicit. Explicit adjustments are made when people are informed about the occurrence and the type of a novel visuomotor transformation and intentionally modify their movements. Implicit adjustments, in contrast, are made without reportable knowledge of a novel visuomotor transformation and without a change intention. The relation of implicit adjustments to explicit adjustments needs further clarification. Here we show that these two types of adjustment occur at the same time and remain functionally independent. The size of total adjustment turned out to be the sum of explicit and implicit adjustments measured in isolation, even when both processes produce opposite outcomes. In perspective our results demonstrate that automatic, implicit processes of motor control are not superseded by intentional, explicit ones, but only superposed.

Contraction and half relaxation times are important temporal measures of the physiological state of the muscle. We hypothesize that mouse button click durations may mirror muscle twitch contraction times (contraction time + half relaxation time). When comparing muscle twitch contraction times and mouse button-click durations between children, adult females and adult males only small differences in muscle twitch contraction times were observed across these groups whereas large differences in mouse button click durations were measured. Currently, computer mice are designed using a 'one size fits all' approach and the results indicate that computer mouse button activation force has different effects on children, adult females and adult males, thus pointing towards effects of device design on computer mouse operation. The results indicate that it may be possible to evaluate the appropriateness of input device activation forces for different statured users by seeking activation forces where the mouse button-click durations approximate and approach the durations of involuntary muscle twitches.

Interaction with computers (e.g. those with Internet browsers and graphic user interfaces, etc.) nowadays almost requires some form of cursor control, like a mouse provides. However, the traditional mouse is not always the best alternative for all users. To provide a better option for users with spinal cord injuries or severe disabilities an inexpensive wireless head tilt mouse has been constructed to provide easy access to the regular functions of a computer mouse.

The passwords are the keys you are using to access personal information that youpsilave stored on your computer and in your online accounts. A strong password should appear to be a random string of characters. Online accounts, computer files, and personal information are more secure when you use strong passwords to help protect them. Unfortunately, it is hard to create easy to use, strong passwords and keep them well protected. In this research, new method of generating complex password based on mouse clicks and cursor coordinates position on screen is presented. Our aims are that use can successfully generate complex and secure password based on computer mouse clicks and cursor position on the screen. Our implemented system can differentiate individuals based on mouse clicks, screen positions and user time. This approach is different from techniques referred to as ldquovoice & text passwordrdquo which adding the user voice to his/her text password or ldquokeystrokes passwordrdquo which using the user typing key approach.

This paper presents a semi-automated microrobotic system for adherent cell injection. Different from embryos/oocytes that have a spherical shape and regular morphology, adherent cells are flat with a thickness of a few micrometers and are highly irregular in morphology. Based on computer vision microscopy and motion control, the system coordinately controls a three-degrees-of-freedom microrobot and a precision XY stage. The microrobotic system demonstrates an injection speed of 25 endothelial cells per minute with a survival rate of 96% and a success rate of 82% (n=1012). The system has a high degree of performance consistency. It is immune to operator proficiency variations and from human fatigue, requiring a human operator to select injection destinations through computer mouse clicking as the only operator intervention. The microrobotic adherent cell injection system makes the injection of thousands of adherent cells practical and will enable our testing of intracellular behavior of semiconductive quantum dots (QDs).

In computer work, musculoskeletal disorders are frequently reported, but the knowledge about causal relationships is limited. In air traffic control, female and male operators perform exactly the same computer work. Introduction of a new computer system implied a momentary change from a “varied” system containing different in-put devices, to a system characterized by intensive mouse-work. The effect of the change on the physical exposure was studied, as well as the musculoskeletal health before and after the change. In addition, gender differences and psychosocial factors were assessed. The physical workload, recorded in 14 subjects in both systems by technical measurements of postures, movements and muscular load, showed large differences: The mouse-intensive system was associated with lower movement velocities, less varying postures and less rest in the right forearm extensor muscles. The differences were amplified at high work intensity. Neck postures in females with neck/shoulders/upper back disorders were compared to those in healthy referents, but without significant differences. Musculoskeletal disorders in neck and upper limbs were assessed by standardised physical examinations in 148 air traffic controllers (71 women and 77 men) and the psychosocial work environment by questionnaire. Disorders in elbows/hands increased significantly after 20 months of work in the mouse-intensive system, while in neck/shoulders/upper back, there was no consistent change. There was no gender difference in elbows/hands disorders, while the females were at higher risk in neck/shoulders/upper back. Disorders in elbows/hands were not explained by psychosocial factors. Most likely, these findings are applicable to similar technological developments in other settings.

It has been suggested that fatigue affects proprioception and consequently movement accuracy, the effects of which may be counteracted by increased muscle activity. To determine the effects of fatigue on tracking performance and muscle activity in the M. extensor carpi radialis (ECR), 11 female participants performed a 2-min tracking task with a computer mouse, before and immediately after a fatiguing wrist extension protocol. Tracking performance was significantly affected by fatigue. Percentage time on target was significantly lower in the first half of the task after the fatigue protocol, but was unaffected in the latter half of the task. Mean distance to target and the standard deviation of the distance to target were both increased after the fatigue protocol. The changed performance was accompanied by higher peak EMG amplitudes in the ECR, whereas the static and the median EMG levels were not affected. The results of this study showed that subjects changed tracking performance when fatigued in order to meet the task instruction to stay on target. Contrary to our expectations, this did not lead to an overall higher muscle activity, but to a selective increase in peak muscle activity levels of the ECR. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

To study the effects of a tactile feedback signal in a computer mouse on reduction of hovering behaviour and consequently on changes in muscle load, productivity, comfort and user friendliness, a comparative, experimental study with repeated measures was conducted. Fifteen subjects performed five trials with different mouse actions and a standardised task, once with a mouse with the feedback signal and once with a mouse without the feedback signal. Holding the hand just above the mouse caused higher muscle loading than clicking and scrolling. Holding the hand on the mouse caused higher muscle loading than resting the hand on the desk. The feedback signal effectively decreased hovering behaviour. It also led to a more dynamic activation pattern of the extensor muscles of the forearm. The overall opinion of the feedback signal for future use was rated as somewhat variable. No effects on discomfort or productivity were found. The use of a mouse with a tactile vibrating feedback signal seems promising for preventing arm complaints, although more research is needed to establish the clinical relevance.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a tactile feedback signal on hovering behaviour, productivity, usability and comfort after 1 week of using an experimental mouse. In a randomized controlled trial, a regular computer mouse was compared to a new developed mouse with a tactile, vibrating feedback signal to prevent unnecessary hovering above the computer mouse. According to this study, participants do decrease their hovering behaviour when using a mouse with tactile feedback. Furthermore, the mouse with tactile feedback did not influence productivity. Usability was rated somewhat mixed. The use of a mouse with a tactile vibrating feedback signal seems promising for preventing neck, shoulder and arm complaints. Further research is needed to study long-term effects on (prevention of) neck, shoulder and arm complaints and development of learning effects.

To study the effects of a tactile feedback signal in a computer mouse on reduction of hovering behaviour and consequently on changes in muscle load, productivity, comfort and user friendliness, a comparative, experimental study with repeated measures was conducted. Fifteen subjects performed five trials with different mouse actions and a standardised task, once with a mouse with the feedback signal and once with a mouse without the feedback signal. Holding the hand just above the mouse caused higher muscle loading than clicking and scrolling. Holding the hand on the mouse caused higher muscle loading than resting the hand on the desk. The feedback signal effectively decreased hovering behaviour. It also led to a more dynamic activation pattern of the extensor muscles of the forearm. The overall opinion of the feedback signal for future use was rated as somewhat variable. No effects on discomfort or productivity were found. The use of a mouse with a tactile vibrating feedback signal seems promising for preventing arm complaints, although more research is needed to establish the clinical relevance.

It has been suggested that fatigue affects proprioception and consequently movement accuracy, the effects of which may be counteracted by increased muscle activity. To determine the effects of fatigue on tracking performance and muscle activity in the M. extensor carpi radialis (ECR), 11 female participants performed a 2-min tracking task with a computer mouse, before and immediately after a fatiguing wrist extension protocol. Tracking performance was significantly affected by fatigue. Percentage time on target was significantly lower in the first half of the task after the fatigue protocol, but was unaffected in the latter half of the task. Mean distance to target and the standard deviation of the distance to target were both increased after the fatigue protocol. The changed performance was accompanied by higher peak EMG amplitudes in the ECR, whereas the static and the median EMG levels were not affected. The results of this study showed that subjects changed tracking performance when fatigued in order to meet the task instruction to stay on target. Contrary to our expectations, this did not lead to an overall higher muscle activity, but to a selective increase in peak muscle activity levels of the ECR. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.