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

•We have developed a novel sterile, low-cost method to assess 3-dimensional digital models.•Touchless commands to manipulate the models were based on unique hand gestures.•Our subjects endorsed the hand gestures as suitable commands to control the system.•Subjects found the gestures comfortable, and the touchless commands were accurate.•Awareness of cross-infection issues correlated with the acceptance of this method.

IntroductionIn this article, we present an evaluation of user acceptance of our innovative hand-gesture–based touchless sterile system for interaction with and control of a set of 3-dimensional digitized orthodontic study models using the Kinect motion-capture sensor (Microsoft, Redmond, Wash).MethodsThe system was tested on a cohort of 201 participants. Using our validated questionnaire, the participants evaluated 7 hand-gesture–based commands that allowed the user to adjust the model in size, position, and aspect and to switch the image on the screen to view the maxillary arch, the mandibular arch, or models in occlusion. Participants' responses were assessed using Rasch analysis so that their perceptions of the usefulness of the hand gestures for the commands could be directly referenced against their acceptance of the gestures. Their perceptions of the potential value of this system for cross-infection control were also evaluated.ResultsMost participants endorsed these commands as accurate. Our designated hand gestures for these commands were generally accepted. We also found a positive and significant correlation between our participants' level of awareness of cross infection and their endorsement to use this system in clinical practice.ConclusionsThis study supports the adoption of this promising development for a sterile touch-free patient record-management system.