If you are attending USCAP check this out and other Nikon products related to telepathology in Booth #348.

Introducing Nikon's one-stop solution for gross specimen imaging.

Nikon's Mi macro imaging station revolutionizes gross histology documentation by addressing the workflow necessary to cleanly and safely capture, annotate, compare, and measure images of biopsied gross specimens in the pathology, histology and forensic lab. The Mi offers a stable, versatile, contamination-free imaging station, providing the ideal first step in capturing an entire pathology case history.

LED lighting - Provides bright, sharp images with perfect detail, and ensures that specimens will not be damaged by heat.

Ease of Use - With its simple interface and straightforward operating actions, users need not have expertise in photography for successful imaging.

Top Quality Camera - Nikon DS-Fi1 camera with motorized lens provides high resolution imaging and offers the option to select either standard or publication quality images, as required.

Reduced Risk of Contamination - Workstation is water and splash-resistant, and user has option to carry out all functions via touch screen, keyboard, mouse, foot pedal or barcode reader.

Pathology-Focused Software - Simple menu options enable rapid image capture and annotation, live comparison, object measurement and counting, and database functions to maximize information from images.

For a look at Mi-related product literature and multi-media resources, click here.

For even more information, contact us at nikoninstruments@nikon.net.

If you would like a price quote, click here.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

7:00am PST, 10:00am EST, 3:00pm GMT
 OR
4:00pm PST, 7:00pm EST
(8:00am Japan Standard Time / 9:00am Australia EST February 23) 
Presenters:
Charles R. Handorf, M.D., Ph.D.
Anand Kulkarni, M.D.
University of Tennessee Health Science Center

In this 60-minute, complimentary webinar, Drs. Handorf and Kulkarni will discuss adopting digital pathology for core labs.

Topics include:
Digital imaging: Service and support for core labs
Digital imaging integration for biobanks
Instrument procurement and operational costs
Future of digitized images
To register for the 7am PST session, click here.
https://aperio.webex.com/aperio/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=485058319

To register for the 4pm PST session, click here.
https://aperio.webex.com/aperio/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=485629421

You may also register by visiting the Aperio Events page.

You will receive a confirmation email upon registration with a web link that will lead you to the online event. Simply visit the link at the assigned time. The session is secure and easy to access. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact the Aperio Events Team at events@aperio.com or 760.539.1192.

Pathology Next? Pathology could use this as a leverage point to use pathology digital imaging on iPADs and other related media.

February 4, 2011 -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued clearance of MIM Software Mobile MIM application, the first mobile image viewing application to receive clearance for diagnostic use on Apple's iPhone and iPad devices.

The clearance covers viewing and making medical diagnoses using iPads and iPhones for CT, MR, and nuclear medicine images (including PET), but the software is not intended to replace full workstations, and it's indicated for use only when there is no access to a workstation, according to the FDA.

While smartphones and tablets such as Apple's iPhone and iPad have drawn interest for their potential in radiology applications, broader clinical use has been held back due to an early 2010 FDA decision to classify Mobile MIM as a class III device requiring premarket approval (PMA) instead of a class II device requiring 510(k) clearance.

The situation changed in the summer of 2010, however, when MIM Software was discussing its appeal of the 510(k) decision with the FDA, said Mark Cain, chief technology officer of the Cleveland-based company.

"We were able to identify many of the key issues that concerned them [and] it was jointly decided that another 510(k) would be the best way to proceed," Cain said.

With the clearance of Mobile MIM, the regulatory picture has now brightened, likely ushering in increased investment in these applications.

In its evaluation of Mobile MIM, the FDA said it reviewed performance test results on various portable devices, measuring luminance, image quality (resolution), and noise in accordance with international standards and guidelines. The FDA also reviewed results from demonstration studies with qualified radiologists under different lighting conditions.

"All participants agreed that the device was sufficient for diagnostic image interpretation under the recommended lighting conditions," the FDA said in a statement.

With Mobile MIM, images are compressed for secure network transfer and sent to the appropriate portable wireless device. Mobile MIM also enables physicians to measure distances and image intensity values, as well as display measurement lines, annotations, and regions of interest, the FDA said.

The FDA noted that there can be significant variations in the display performance of mobile devices, even between mobile devices of the same model. However, the Mobile MIM application includes sufficient labeling and safety features to mitigate the risk of poor image display due to improper screen luminance or lighting conditions, according to the FDA.

"The device includes an interactive contrast test in which a small part of the screen is a slightly different shade than the rest of the screen," the FDA said in a statement. "If the physician can identify and tap this portion of the screen, then the lighting conditions are not interfering with the physician's ability to discern subtle differences in contrast. In addition, a safety guide is included within the application."

MIM Software welcomes the clearance, particularly because the FDA had turned down the company's original 510(k) application

"After three years, it is a relief to see this chapter close," Cain said. "We're looking forward to the next step."

By Erik L. Ridley
AuntMinnie.com staff writer
February 4, 2011

Copyright (c) 2011 AuntMinnie.com 

Courtesy of Wall Street Journal

According to the Dark Daily, acquisition of digital pathology technologies still remains in earliest stages:

"Anatomic pathology laboratories continue to purchase and deploy digital pathology systems at a brisk rate. It is confirmation that ever more pathologists are ready to adopt and use digital pathology systems."

The story goes on to say:

"It should be pointed out that, at this time, total worldwide sales of digital pathology systems do not exceed much more than 1,000 to 1,500 systems, exclusive of digital slide scanners. This number represents only a small percentage of the developed world’s clinical pathology laboratories. But the number is a useful benchmark that pathologists can use to track the adoption of digital pathology."

Full story from Dark Daily

—

Here is just some of what you will take away…

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1. Current Status of Managed Care Requirements for Coding, Claim Submission and Reimbursement of Molecular Tests

Chapter 2. Why Payer Pre-Authorization and/or Notification for Genetic Molecular Tests Will Become Widespread 

Chapter 3. Existing Differences Among Payers in Pre-Authorization of Genetic and Molecular Tests  

Chapter 4. Advantages of Automated Payer Communication

Chapter 5. A Systematic Approach to Evaluating Genetic and Molecular Test Claims

Chapter 6. Case Study: Improving Clinical, Operational and Financial Performance in the Laboratory

Chapter 7. Conclusion 

A-1 About Matthew Zubiller
A-2 About McKesson
A-3 About DARK DAILY
A-4 About The Dark Intelligence Group, Inc., and The Dark Report
A-5 About Executive War College on Laboratory and Pathology Management
A-6 About Karen Appold

Terms of Use — Page 36

1x3 & 2x3 slide scanning services for brightfield & fluorescence applications.

• Illumination: Transmitted light LED and metal halide reflected light fluorescence.
• Optics: plan fluorite 10x 0.25NA, 20x 0.46NA, and 40x 0.75NA as standard.
• Other optics available upon request.
• High resolution cooled color digital camera, meets Nyquist Theorem requirements.
• XYZ automated platform with high resolution motorized stage.
• Autofocus capability - several autofocus applications available.
• Custom integrated PC / imaging software platform for a variety of applications.

The Services: What We Provide

• You decide - we acquire high resolution images per your determined methodology.
• Single images are in standard single TIFF image format for ease of use on a variety of analysis platforms.
• Custom software is included in the scanning service for our customers to navigate and view the full macro image at lower resolution and then expand to the single full resolution image for detailed viewing.
• All scanned image sets and folders will be stored on a USB digital hard drive, included with the return of your samples. We will store copies of these images at Micro Optical until you confirm that your hard drive and data has been received. You can choose to return the hard drive to Micro Optical or keep it as a backup copy of your original data.

Shipping

Interesting perspective from Dr. Paul Chang on digital pathology and workflow processes published in Health Imaging and IT.  

With vendors inking partnerships and developing new tools to bring pathology out of the dark ages and experts pegging the integration of radiology and pathology as one of the top opportunities for imaging, digital pathology may be imaging’s next frontier. This month, Health Imaging & IT chatted with Paul Chang, MD, professor and vice chair of radiology informatics and medical director of pathology informatics at University of Chicago, who offers insights into pathology workflow.

How does digital pathology workflow compare to radiology workflow?

Chang: I’ve been struck by a few assumptions that have been made about pathology workflow. The first is the belief that the pathology imaging task is similar to radiology. People see the success of digital image management in radiology and believe we should apply the same paradigm to pathology. However, pathology workflow differs in fundamental ways which I believe change the direction of digital pathology. 

Can you describe these differences?

Chang: As a radiologist, the most important part of my interpretation is whether or not there has been a change from the previous images. I need a high-quality representation of current and prior studies. This is not how pathologists use prior studies.
When evaluating prior studies, pathologists typically refer to a few key selected regions—the fields that represent the prior histology. The pathologist’s job is to tell if the current cells represent the same or different histology. Accordingly, the pathologist almost never is required to review every prior slide.

What are the image management implications of this pathology workflow process?

Chang:The consequences are significant. I don’t have to replicate digital radiology image management, which requires a large, complex and costly archive. It’s hard to justify an archive that is write once, read almost never. Wouldn’t it be better to just capture and store the key regions from the slides? Those selected images would be far easier to store and would be more cost-effective.

That addresses the image storage process, the PACS component. What about the RIS side of imaging informatics?

Chang: This is another fundamental difference between radiology and pathology workflow. In radiology, we acquire the digital image of the patient as one of the first steps in our workflow. From an informatics perspective, we transform the “analog” patient into digital data at the beginning and maintain that digital representation throughout the workflow process, which makes it easier to leverage digital technology to realize quality and efficiency.
In pathology the transformation from physical to digital is not done until near the end of the workflow.  The pathology workflow process requires the handling, tracking and processing of physical specimens throughout. In many labs, specimens are identified with patient demographics by the use of rubber bands binding the specimen container with a paper requisition form. A lot of things can go wrong. The real need here is not digital imaging but specimen tracking.
This very important part of pathology workflow doesn’t need PACS; it needs Fed Ex. Fed Ex manages the handling of physical packages by embracing digital workflow. They use barcoding to make sure packages don’t fall through the cracks. In anatomic pathology, barcoding and similar digital approaches could link the physical specimen to the patient and help manage specimen handling to avoid lost or misidentified specimens.

Can you provide an example?

Chang: At the University of Chicago, we are building a workflow solution that attempts to leverage digital technology appropriately. Barcoding will be used to unambiguously associate specimens with patient demographics and to track these specimens throughout the process. This specimen tracking system will provide the ability to launch contextually relevant decision support tools for users. For example, at the grossing station, scanning the specimen barcode will automatically show the pathologist the patient information and the relevant radiology images to help guide the specimen sampling. 
This is good news. We don’t have to wait for PACS archive technology to get significantly cheaper before we can embrace digital pathology. We can leverage existing enterprise PACS to store the much more modest representative images and then apply appropriate digital solutions such as specimen tracking to orchestrate more efficient and safer workflow. We can do this now.