Is Horse the New Mouse?

lopati writes "Europhysics News writes about a new ergonomical mouse called Horse (jpeg) that reduces repetitive stress injuries by allowing 'the three middle fingers to adopt a flexed position to relax the tendons' and including a thumb scrool [sic:] wheel. Just a few simple changes for so much more comfort!"

Comments

Mirror

[betaguy9000]

Mirror here.

Re:Mirror?

[davron05]

try the coralized links: the article and the picture

That is one ugly mouse

[wormeyman]

coral cache of the picture

Microsoft Trackball Explorer

[sahonen]

It's slashdotted, so I can't tell, but I use a Microsoft Trackball Explorer, which is very comfortable for me.

Here's the article, no pictures though

[bigsexyjoe]

Europhysics News (2004) Vol. 35 No. 6 A new computer mouse called Horse C.J. Snijders and P.C. Helder, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands. In the early 60's Doug Engelbart, a scientist at the Stanford Research Institute in California, invented the computer mouse. This may certainly be seen as one of those brilliant tools we hardly can do without. However excellent the functionality of the mouse--we all use it with great ease--its recent form can also be a significant source of discomfort. Repetitive movements cause physical complaints. This is one of the causative factors of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) or Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS) [1]. Rigid work patterns and prolonged periods of heavy work load can result in physical stress. Personality aspects are also considered to play a role in the development of RSI [2]. About 20% of the working population has complaints related to the neck-shoulder-arm region and overuse complaints can be the result of using the mouse. This is why a biomechanical research program was started by Erasmus MC,University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Biomechanical model The present study has identified one cause for several physical problems in the neck-shoulder-arm region. Based on a pilot study a hypothesis was introduced that forceful gripping or pinching goes with tension in the deep neck muscles. To investigate this, blood flow velocity was measured in the region indicated in Fig. 1 (with permission from Sobotta,Atlas of Human Anatomy). The drawing shows the costoclavicular gate between clavicular bone and first rib (see circle). Neck muscle tension results in a narrowing of this gate and thus impingement of the subclavian artery and vein. This conclusion is supported by a biomechanical model of the aetiology of tennis elbow [3]. It describes the role of extensor muscles in the hand and lower limb and substantiates the finding that restriction of blood flow is caused by forceful pinching. Therefore we conclude that certain force application by the hand is related to tension in the deep neck muscles which explains a variety of shoulder- and arm complaints. Design of a computer mouse called "Horse" The use of a conventional computer mouse requires continuous lifting of the fingers. This results in excessive use of extensor muscles to avoid unwanted switching which can be seen as a possible cause of tension in the deep neck muscles. It was therefore decided to design a mouse that does not provoke extensor muscle activity. This new concept is called Horse in view of its functional design: the palm of the hand as well as the middle three fingers "sit" on the main body while thumb and little finger rest at a lower level at the side as if supported by stirrups (Fig. 2). Thumb and little finger work together to realize optimal control in the horizontal (X-Y) plane. The design of the Horse allows for the three middle fingers to adopt a flexed position to relax the tendons. A major part of these fingers rests in a more or less vertical position. Fig 1 Narrowing of costoclavicular gate (see circle) resulting in impingement of artery and vein (with permission from Sobotta,Atlas of Human Anatomy) In view of this supported position of the hand and fingers, extensor muscles can relax. Extensor action is no longer required with the palm of the hand and fingers resting on the Horse. A light flexing action of the top of the fingers is sufficient to switch. This action results in a force on the touch switches situated at the lower end near the tips of the fingers. These switches react on touch force only which reduces or virtually eliminates the movement of the tendons when switching. Moreover, complete support of the fingers will reduce the necessity of co-contraction of the intrinsic muscles of the hand [4]. Other features as a result of the design of the Horse are: * a better stability control in the X-Y plane * the possibility to reduce friction of the Horse on the table Fig 2 Thumb at the side, m

Re:Here's the article, no pictures though

[Neoncow]

Europhysics News (2004) Vol. 35 No. 6 A new computer mouse called Horse C.J. Snijders and P.C. Helder, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands. In the early 60's Doug Engelbart, a scientist at the Stanford Research Institute in California, invented the computer mouse. This may certainly be seen as one of those brilliant tools we hardly can do without. However excellent the functionality of the mouse--we all use it with great ease--its recent form can also be a significant source of discomfort.

Repetitive movements cause physical complaints. This is one of the causative factors of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) or Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS) [1]. Rigid work patterns and prolonged periods of heavy work load can result in physical stress. Personality aspects are also considered to play a role in the development of RSI [2]. About 20% of the working population has complaints related to the neck-shoulder-arm region and overuse complaints can be the result of using the mouse. This is why a biomechanical research program was started by Erasmus MC,University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Biomechanical model
The present study has identified one cause for several physical problems in the neck-shoulder-arm region. Based on a pilot study a hypothesis was introduced that forceful gripping or pinching goes with tension in the deep neck muscles. To investigate this, blood flow velocity was measured in the region indicated in Fig. 1 (with permission from Sobotta,Atlas of Human Anatomy). The drawing shows the costoclavicular gate between clavicular bone and first rib (see circle). Neck muscle tension results in a narrowing of this gate and thus impingement of the subclavian artery and vein. This conclusion is supported by a biomechanical model of the aetiology of tennis elbow [3]. It describes the role of extensor muscles in the hand and lower limb and substantiates the finding that restriction of blood flow is caused by forceful pinching. Therefore we conclude that certain force application by the hand is related to tension in the deep neck muscles which explains a variety of shoulder- and arm complaints.

Design of a computer mouse called "Horse"
The use of a conventional computer mouse requires continuous lifting of the fingers. This results in excessive use of extensor muscles to avoid unwanted switching which can be seen as a possible cause of tension in the deep neck muscles. It was therefore decided to design a mouse that does not provoke extensor muscle activity. This new concept is called Horse in view of its functional design: the palm of the hand as well as the middle three fingers "sit" on the main body while thumb and little finger rest at a lower level at the side as if supported by stirrups (Fig. 2). Thumb and little finger work together to realize optimal control in the horizontal (X-Y) plane. The design of the Horse allows for the three middle fingers to adopt a flexed position to relax the tendons. A major part of these fingers rests in a more or less vertical position. Fig 1 Narrowing of costoclavicular gate (see circle) resulting in impingement of artery and vein (with permission from Sobotta,Atlas of Human Anatomy)

In view of this supported position of the hand and fingers, extensor muscles can relax. Extensor action is no longer required with the palm of the hand and fingers resting on the Horse. A light flexing action of the top of the fingers is sufficient to switch. This action results in a force on the touch switches situated at the lower end near the tips of the fingers. These switches react on touch force only which reduces or virtually eliminates the movement of the tendons when switching. Moreover, complete support of the fingers will reduce the necessity of co-contraction of the intrinsic muscles of the hand [4]. Other features as a result of the design of the Horse are: * a better stability control in the X-Y plane * the possibility to reduce friction of the Horse on the table Fig 2 Thumb at the side, major part of the three

Coral-ized links:

[Anonymous Coward]

http://www.europhysicsnews.com.nyud.net:8090/full/ 30/article10/article10.html http://www.europhysicsnews.com.nyud.net:8090/full/ 30/article10/article10_2_0002.jpg

But, Doctor Evil...

[argent]

that already happened !

What is so new?

[houghi]

For me it just looks like a trackman that you move around. If you want to talk about really new things compared to the mouse, take a look at the Ergonomic Vertical Mouse That one is realy inovative compared to the old mouse. Or any of the other mice on that site. Want something REALLY new? Thy this one

...and the vertical mouse

[Opus01]

I've been using this for more than a year now. Love it. Solved my wrist pain almost immediately. The Vertical Mouse http://www.evoluent.com/

Re:What's a [sic]??

[bioteq]

I really don't see why this guy was modded troll. It's a valid question.

Anyways. Sic means "spelling incorrect," or, "Grammar incorrect." It's used to signify that they are using a quote from another source and that it's spelling and/or grammar in that location is incorrect and is not part of the editor's (quoter's) mistake.

hope that helps.

Re:Mirrordot

[northcat]

Then how do you expect mirrordot to get the original story? Mirrordot get the links through slashdot when slashdot posts the story.

Re:What's a [sic]??

[ElBorba]

Anyways [sic]. Sic means "spelling incorrect," or, "Grammar incorrect."

Just wanted to point out that "anyways" is n/s.

Re:Dodgy

[Lehk228]

i think you meant hello.jpg