title: Evaluation of user input methods for manipulating a tablet personal computer in sterile techniques.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine a quick and accurate user input method for manipulating tablet personal computers (PCs) in sterile techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated three different manipulation methods, (1) Computer mouse and sterile system drape, (2) Fingers and sterile system drape, and (3) Digitizer stylus and sterile ultrasound probe cover with a pinhole, in terms of the central processing unit (CPU) performance, manipulation performance, and contactlessness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant decrease in CPU score ([Formula: see text]) and an increase in CPU temperature ([Formula: see text]) were observed when a system drape was used. The respective mean times taken to select a target image from an image series (ST) and the mean times for measuring points on an image (MT) were [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] s for the computer mouse method, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] s for the finger method, and [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] s for the digitizer stylus method, respectively. The ST for the finger method was significantly longer than for the digitizer stylus method ([Formula: see text]). The MT for the computer mouse method was significantly longer than for the digitizer stylus method ([Formula: see text]). The mean success rate for measuring points on an image was significantly lower for the finger method when the diameter of the target was equal to or smaller than 8 mm than for the other methods. No significant difference in the adenosine triphosphate amount at the surface of the tablet PC was observed before, during, or after manipulation via the digitizer stylus method while wearing starch-powdered sterile gloves ([Formula: see text]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quick and accurate manipulation of tablet PCs in sterile techniques without CPU load is feasible using a digitizer stylus and sterile ultrasound probe cover with a pinhole.
authors: Department of Radiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621, Japan. a_yamada@shinshu-u.ac.jp.
authors: Akira
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4199-203X
authors: A
authors: Yamada
authors: Department of Radiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621, Japan.
authors: Daisuke
authors: D
authors: Komatsu
authors: Department of Radiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621, Japan.
authors: Takeshi
authors: T
authors: Suzuki
authors: Department of Radiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621, Japan.
authors: Masahiro
authors: M
authors: Kurozumi
authors: Department of Radiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621, Japan.
authors: Yasunari
authors: Y
authors: Fujinaga
authors: Department of Radiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621, Japan.
authors: Kazuhiko
authors: K
authors: Ueda
authors: Department of Radiology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621, Japan.
authors: Masumi
authors: M
authors: Kadoya
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D006801:Humans; D008838:Microcomputers; D009873:Operating Rooms; D013242:Sterilization; D013696:Temperature; D014584:User-Computer Interface
keywords: Digitizer stylus; Sterile technique; Tablet personal computer; Ultrasound probe cover; User input method