Peter Stoll, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jose Morey MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Maintaining sterilization during surgical procedures is critical to maintain patient safety and to ensure optimal outcomes. When using imaging software, surgeons are forced to squander time and increase risk of infection to the patient by desterilizing and then resterilizing after operating the mouse and keyboard.

The Leap Motion Controller is a small device that contains three cameras that can measure hand and finger position down to the millimeter in its detection cone. The Leap Controller also can recognize several hand gestures which can be used as inputs for software designed to work in conjunction with the controller. PACS Point was designed to allow users to operate standard DICOM imaging software, and to provide full control over the cursor by moving their hand in the Leap's detection cone.

By working with the Leap Motion Controller, PACS Point allows users all of the same controls as they would have with standard mouse and keyboard inputs, but without having to touch anything; thereby remaining sterile. PACS Point's controls currently allow for cursor movement by moving 1 finger in the x and y-plane of the Leap's detection cone while other mouse controls such as various types of clicks are controlled by simple gestures. Screen scrolling and zooming is controlled by 3 or 5 finger motion in the y-plane of the cone respectively. Additional controls are provided based on the imaging software being used in conjunction with PACS Point.

The ability to control imaging software in a hands-free manner will allow surgeons to save time by not having to resterilize after using a mouse or keyboard, and will likely improve on the rate of patient infections. The current state of PACS Point proves the feasibility of this type of control. Future studies will be done to measure the effect that PACS Point can have on these 2 factors. Because the Leap Motion Controller is such a new product there is room for development of PACS Point in the future. Further development will be geared towards making PACS Point compatible with additional exsisting imaging software as well as incorporating advances in the Leap Motion, itself, into increased usability for PACS Point.

Stoll, P, Morey, J, Using the Leap Motion Controller and PACS Point to Allow for Hands-free Control of Standard DICOM Imaging Software.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14019589.html