Torbay Holdings has announced the Quill, which the company says will be the world’s first biomechanical computer mouse. The Quill will be supplied with software that complies with the Occupational Safety and Heath Administration’s (OHSA) Office Ergonomics safety guidelines — software which encourages users to take a break periodically to help reduce fatigue.
The Quill itself uses a design that Torbay Holdings claims helps to hold the user’s hand in a neutral position, so as not to overextend the Median nerve, which runs the length of the arm down to the hand. Overextension of the Median nerve can cause fatigue, aches and pains. The Quill enables users to maintain a “low biomechanical load position,” according to the company, similar to a hand shake.
Due in early March, the Quill will be Mac compatible (though it will work with Mac OS X, the OHSA compliant software is for the traditional Mac operating system only at this point). The OHSA feature is optional, and prompts users to take a 15 minute break every two hours. The feature is designed to reduce or eliminate such conditions as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), Repetitive Strain Injury or Cumulative Trauma Disease.
Professional Mac users in particular are typically graphics-oriented and therefore more extensive mouse users at risk, according to Tom Large, CEO of Torbay Holdings. What’s more, the Quill software will include the Median Nerve Challenge, due Feb. 28. The Median Nerve Challenge, which will come in both left and right handed version, will let users self evaluate their own median nerve mobility, reduced in instances of upper limb damage due to CTS.