User acceptance of a touchless sterile system to control virtual orthodontic study models

Touchless Control of Picture Archiving and Communication System in Operating Room Environment: A Comparative Study of Input Methods

Background

The advancement of computer information technology would maximize its potential in operating rooms with touchless input devices. A picture archiving and communication system (PACS) was compared with a touchless input device (LMC-GW), relaying to another person to control a mouse through verbal guidance, and directly controlling a mouse.

Methods

Participants (n = 34; mean age, 29.6 years) were prospectively enrolled and given nine scenarios to compare the three methods. Each scenario consisted of eight tasks, which required 6 essential functions of PACS. Time elapsed and measurement values were recorded for objective evaluation, while subjective evaluation was conducted with a questionnaire.

Results

In all 8 tasks, manipulation using the mouse took significantly less time than the other methods (all p < 0.05). Study selection, panning, zooming, scrolling, distance measuring, and leg length measurement took significantly less time when LMC-GW was used compared to relaying to another person (all p < 0.01), whereas there were no significant differences in time required for measuring the angles and windowing. Although the touchless input device provided higher accessibility and lower contamination risk, it was more difficult to handle than the other input methods (all p < 0.01).

Conclusions

The touchless input device provided superior or equal performance to the method of verbal instruction in the environment of operating room. Surgeons agreed that the device would be helpful for manipulating PACS in operating rooms with less contamination risk and disturbance of workflow. The touchless input device can be an alternative option for direct manipulation of a mouse in operation rooms in the future.

Touchless interaction with medical images based on 3D hand cursors supported by single-foot input: A case study in dentistry

Feet input can support mid-air hand gestures for touchless medical image manipulation to prevent unintended activations, especially in sterile contexts. However, foot interaction has yet to be investigated in dental settings. In this paper, we conducted a mixed methods research study with medical dentistry professionals. To this end, we developed a touchless medical image system in either sitting or standing configurations. Clinicians could use both hands as 3D cursors and a minimalist single-foot gesture vocabulary to activate manipulations. First, we performed a qualitative evaluation with 18 medical dentists to assess the utility and usability of our system. Second, we used quantitative methods to compare pedal foot-supported hand interaction and hands-only conditions next to 22 medical dentists. We expand on previous work by characterizing a range of potential limitations of foot-supported touchless 3D interaction in the dental domain. Our findings suggest that clinicians are open to use their foot for simple, fast and easy access to image data during surgical procedures, such as dental implant placement. Furthermore, 3D hand cursors, supported by foot gestures for activation events, were considered useful and easy to employ for medical image manipulation. Even though most clinicians preferred hands-only manipulation for pragmatic purposes, feet-supported interaction was found to provide more precise control and, most importantly, to decrease the number of unintended activations during manipulation. Finally, we provide design considerations for future work exploring foot-supported touchless interfaces for sterile settings in Dental Medicine, regarding: interaction design, foot input devices, the learning process and camera occlusions.

Innovation by Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing Technology: A Look at Infection Prevention in Dental Settings

Recent data indicates limited awareness and compliance on infection prevention procedures by dental offices and by dental laboratories. Guidelines for infection prevention in dentistry have been published by Centres for Disease Control and Prevention since 2003; the section “IX-Special consideration” includes a subsection concerning the prevention in dental laboratories, but it has not been modernised in later versions to fit the needs of traditional and computer-aided technology. Traditional techniques required disinfecting items (impression, chewing waxes, and appliances) with well-suited products, which are also chosen for limiting impression changes or appliance deterioration. Effective procedures are available with difficulties. Some of these contain irritant or non-eco-friendly disinfectants. The transport of impression, to dental laboratories, is often delayed with limited precautions for limiting cross-infection. Gypsum casts are frequently contaminated mainly by bacteria and their antibiotic-resistant strains and even stored for long periods during dental implant supported restoration and orthodontic therapy, becoming a hidden source of infection. Nowadays, computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing technology seems to be an interesting way to promote both business and safety, being more comfortable for patients and more accurate than traditional technology. A further advantage is easier infection prevention since, for the most part, mainly digital impression and casts are not a source of cross-infection and the transport of contaminated items is reduced and limited to try-in stages. Nevertheless, a peculiar feature is that a digital electronic file is of course unalterable, but may be ruined by a computer virus. Additionally, the reconditioning of scanner tips is determinant for the optical characteristics and long term use of the scanner, but information for its reconditioning from producers is often limited. This study focuses on some critical points including (a) insufficient guidelines, (b) choice of proper procedure for scanner reconditioning, and (c) data protection in relation to patient privacy.

Review of Three-Dimensional Human-Computer Interaction with Focus on the Leap Motion Controller

Modern hardware and software development has led to an evolution of user interfaces from command-line to natural user interfaces for virtual immersive environments. Gestures imitating real-world interaction tasks increasingly replace classical two-dimensional interfaces based on Windows/Icons/Menus/Pointers (WIMP) or touch metaphors. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to survey the state-of-the-art Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) techniques with a focus on the special field of three-dimensional interaction. This includes an overview of currently available interaction devices, their applications of usage and underlying methods for gesture design and recognition. Focus is on interfaces based on the Leap Motion Controller (LMC) and corresponding methods of gesture design and recognition. Further, a review of evaluation methods for the proposed natural user interfaces is given.