Work-related musculoskeletal disorders affect a large percentage of diagnostic medical sonographers. Ultrasound transducer design has been identified as a major contributing factor to hand and wrist strains. The purpose of this study was to determine if the design of the ultrasound transducer affects the amount of pressure exerted by the hands of the sonographer to achieve a quality scan. The study also aimed to determine if the amount of pressure exerted on the transducer relates to the subjective pain level reported by the sonographer. The study found that the average maximum pressure and average force exerted was higher when scanning with a small transducer compared with a large transducer, and the thumb typically exerted a much greater pressure and force. Sonographers reported pain during the scan trials, as well as throughout their typical workdays, leisure pursuits, and daily activities.

We have developed a valved organic evaporation source for 4th generation substrate (730*920mm2) which enables shutoff during idling time and open process time only. So we could improve the efficiency of material utilization dramatically compared with conventional sources such as point sources or linear sources. Generally, linear source is longer than width of substrate and it makes material consumed so much. However, a valved source we developed is designed shorter than width of substrate to save material by preventing unnecessary flux out warding the substrate. In addition, it is comprised of 5 individual nozzles which have many holes in order to achieve the desired uniformity. As a result, we could obtain 30% of material utilization and 5% of non‐uniformity for a 730mm wide substrate. We expect this source can improve performance and reduce the COO (Cost of Operation).

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