What Is a Wireless Foot Mouse?
A foot mouse moves the pointing function of a hand mouse to the floor. You operate it with your foot instead of your fingers. A wireless foot mouse adds a second benefit: no cable runs between the device and the computer.
Boomer is built on a simple premise: if you have used a regular computer mouse and you have a foot, you already know how to use Boomer. The computer treats it as another mouse, so the interaction model is the one you have used for years. Only the body part doing the work changes.
Boomer at a Glance
- Platforms:runs on PC, Mac or tablet.
- Software:none to download, because the computer sees it as another mouse.
- Connection:Bluetooth.
- Power:rechargeable over USB. A charge lasts about a week, depending on usage.
- Dimensions:13" wide x 7" long x 2" high.
These specifications fit a device meant for shared, busy rooms. The low 2-inch profile keeps it from becoming an obstacle on the floor. The footprint is large enough to operate with a natural foot motion. Weekly charging over a standard USB connection means no proprietary charger or battery swaps.
Why a Wireless Design Matters in Clinical Settings
Floor-level cables are a long-standing nuisance in treatment rooms. They can be tripped over, tangled with chair and stool bases, and dragged out of position. Each repositioning of the operator stool is a chance to pull on a cord.
A Bluetooth connection removes that cable, so the device can sit where your foot naturally rests. Bluetooth mice generally use a standard input profile that operating systems already support, which is why Boomer needs no software of its own.
A Foot Mouse Without the Numbers
Boomer is the foot mouse without the numbers, designed for doctors' operatories.
This distinguishes it from the Dental R.A.T., which adds dedicated input buttons for entering periodontal charting values 1 through 8 and a right click.
If your main need is cursor control, such as opening and closing images, navigating software or moving through a patient record, Boomer provides that without the extra number controls.
If you need foot-entered perio charting values, the Dental R.A.T. is the product built for that purpose. Both belong to the same family of hands-free tools.
Where a Hands-Free Mouse Earns Its Place
Any task done with a hand mouse can in principle be done with a foot mouse, because the computer sees the same type of input. In a dental setting, common examples include:
- Advancing through digital images and zooming in on them during an exam.
- Navigating patient records and clinical notes.
- Controlling imaging software without stripping gloves.
- Working the schedule while a procedure is underway.
The infection-control reasoning is straightforward. Each time a gloved hand touches a keyboard or mouse, that surface can become contaminated, and the clinician may need to change gloves to return to the patient. A foot-operated device lets the hands stay on the patient and off shared surfaces. It does not replace your infection-control protocols. It removes one common reason to break them.
The same logic applies outside dentistry. The tagline on Boomer's own page, "Hands busy? Put your feet to work," describes the general case. The company has also published a blog post about attending an assistive technology meeting (ATIA) in connection with Boomer, which shows the device is of interest in assistive technology settings as well as in dental practice.
Learning to Use Boomer
Because Boomer behaves like a standard mouse, the learning curve is mostly motor adaptation. You are mapping familiar pointing and clicking onto foot movement. Practice is the key. Start with slow, deliberate cursor movements, get comfortable with targeting small on-screen elements, and then work toward the speed you need during real appointments.
The company offers free training on the Boomer the foot mouse website. For a general sense of how quickly clinicians adapt to foot-operated devices, the Dental R.A.T. support materials note that taking about 30 minutes to play with the controls makes the device feel natural, and speed improves with each use.
Part of a Family of Hands-Free Products
Boomer sits alongside other hands-free products from the same company:
- Dental R.A.T. 2.0:a foot-operated mouse with number inputs and audio feedback, designed for hands-free perio charting.
- The Blue Boa high volume suction adapter:hands-free suctioning ideal for saliva and water control during ultrasonic scaling and for isolation during sealant placement. It works with your favorite saliva ejectors.
Together these products address a common problem in clinical work: the hands are needed for patient care, yet the computer and the suction setup compete for them.
Get More Information About Boomer
To learn more about the wireless foot mouse, visit the Boomer the foot mouse website, where free training is available. For questions about how Boomer fits your operatory, call 877-278-0061 or email bky.logue@gmail.com. Phone lines are staffed Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm. The office is closed Saturday and Sunday.