Can I Use a USB Foot Pedal to Control CT Image Viewing During Surgery?
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SurgicalNinja91
Hey everyone! I'm an ENT surgeon trying to streamline my workflow in the operating room. Right now, I depend on my staff to help me navigate through CT scans, but I'm looking for a way to take control myself. I was thinking about using a USB foot pedal to scroll through the images and switch between different planes. Has anyone tried using a foot pedal for this purpose? I'd love any recommendations or tips you might have!
Answers
Absolutely, you can find foot pedals on Amazon designed for various medical applications. For instance, some models allow you to customize multiple pedals to function as different keyboard shortcuts. Just keep in mind that you’ll need the software that comes with the pedal installed on your computer, so it might be a good idea to check with your IT department first before making a purchase.
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Just to add on what others mentioned, the software you use has to accept the command signals from the foot pedal. Usually, keyboard shortcuts are more universally accepted, but keep in mind that if you’re using a specialized application like a PACS system, it might be a bit different.
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Foot pedals are commonly used for transcription, letting users control audio playback without removing their hands from the keyboard. Nowadays, they connect via USB and function like a second keyboard with customizable keys for various commands.
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I found a good model here that emulates keyboard shortcuts, and you could potentially use Autohotkey to customize it further, assuming you can control your software via key combos or macros.
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SurgicalNinja91: Thanks for the link! I'll definitely look into using Autohotkey for more customization.