Ergonomic enhancement of a light-guided vocal fold injection device: Addressing usability limitations through usability engineering.

Authors

Junhee Choi, Gyubin Kim, Jonghee Lee, Jonghak Jung, Seon Young Hwang, Inchul Yang, Saram Lee, Jung Chan Lee

Published in

Applied ergonomics. Volume 138. Pages 104859. Jul 26, 2026. Epub Jul 26, 2026.

Abstract

Vocal fold injection procedures demand precise needle placement, yet limited intraoperative visualization creates dependence on practitioner experience. Building on a first-generation light-guided injection system, this study applied iterative usability engineering to address usability limitations. Otolaryngologists (n = 33) participated across three phases: design concept, three formative evaluations, and summative validation. Use-related risks were translated into user interface requirements. The prototype was developed and iteratively refined, with qualitative feedback revealing physical ergonomics and needle-handling as top design priorities. The second-generation device features a portable wireless design with contoured and textured grip surfaces, optimized Y-connector angle, light-intensity control dial, and balanced weight distribution. User satisfaction improved from 3.86 to 4.72 across evaluations, and summative validation (n = 15) demonstrated 100% task completion with one use error. These findings highlight the ergonomic design of handheld medical devices, the challenge of habit-driven use errors, and the significance of iterative usability evaluations.

PMID:
42503265
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 27 Jul 2026.

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