David L. Weiss MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Khan Siddiqui MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Joseph Scopelliti, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

T. Ben Johnson MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

D.L.W.: The author is a consultant for Agfa Corporation.

The QWERTY keyboard has been in use since the late 1800s. The computer mouse was invented in the 1960s. PACS and speech recognition are much more recent, yet most radiologists are still using these two devices as the primary control of their imaging and reporting systems. The keyboard may in fact be one of the worst possible devices for interfacing with PACS, requiring either both hands or visual assistance for use.The ideal user interface device is one that would completely control all active applications using one or two hands and requiring no visual feedback. This would allow the radiologist's eyes to focus continually on the images throughout the interpretation process. Intuitive functionality would minimize mental distraction. An image interpretation session should be comparable to playing a musical instrument with all concentration on the ultimate outcome and no conscious thought process concerning the mechanical aspect of navigation. There are a number of commercially available hardware and software devices that have been designed to replace the keyboard and/or the mouse. Some of these have been used by video game players for a number of years. The Windows compatible joystick can be modified to function as a PACS/SR controller. Other equipment includes a keyboard emulator controlled entirely from one hand and a device used by audio and video editors that can be modified to easily scroll through a stack of CT or MR images. Advanced mouse devices that can be customized and programmed for keyboard commands are helpful as well. Vendor cooperation in software design will be required in the future for optimal configurability if these devices are to increase in prevalence and use.The comparative advantages and disadvantages of each interface device alone and in various combinations will be reviewed. The ideal combination will almost certainly vary from user to user but likely will include a mouselike device to control cursor position linked with a button type device mapped to specific commands.After the formal presentation, several of the controllers will be demonstrated on a PACS and speech recognition system.

To present and demonstrate a number of alternatives to the use of the conventional keyboard and mouse for control of Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) and Speech Recognition (SR). The use of these devices allows the eyes of the radiologist to remain on the images at all times and minimizes distraction from image viewing.

Weiss, D, Siddiqui, K, Scopelliti, J, Johnson, T, Alternative User Interface Devices for Controlling PACS and Speech Recognition: Emphasis On "Eyes-Free" Image Interpretation.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4402849.html