Selecting the Right Digital Pathology Slide Scanner System for Whole Slide Imaging

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1222″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A  digital microscopy slide scanner adds value to a pathology lab by digitizing the tissue images so as to share them with the analysis team next door or thousands of miles away for collaboration. However for selecting the right system one needs to understand key attributes so that one can compare different models available in the market. Below is the list of these key attributes/applications:

Application

Scanning of Bright Field slides involves different technology (line scanning) than scanning of Fluorescent labelled slides (tile scanning). Some scanners can do both while others can scan only one type. Check to see how does your application matches with the type of slide scanner you are looking for.

Resolution

Expressed in microns per pixel, it is the distance at which two distinct objects can be identified as separate entities. The image resolution is dependent on three factors: numerical aperture of the objective, size of the camera sensor and the resolution of the viewing monitor. Typical systems have 0.5µm/pixel resolution at 20X and a 0.25µm/pixel resolution at 40X. Resolutions lower than these values would be insufficient.

Magnification

The number to times the slide tissue is magnified by the objective lens. This achieved through a flat field apochromatic objective lens. These special lenses have dual advantages over regular lenses. Firstly they do not have minimal spherical aberration leading to much sharper images and secondly they can focus all colors in the tissue to the same point thus reproducing a clear color image of the tissue section.

Color Depth

It is an indicator of the number of distinct colors possible in the image and is expressed as number of bits allocated to a pixel. A 24 bit color depth is sufficient at 40X magnification.

Time-to-view 

The time taken from placing the slide into scanner to viewing the digital images is known as the time to view. When the slide is placed in the scanner it actually rests on a motorised stage. The objective lens and the line scan camera then comes into action to capture the tissue section. The image is then processed by an algorithm and is available on the computer screen and is ready to be shared online. This process happens within seconds and scanners accomplish this within 100 seconds which is extremely fast.

Multi-layer scanning

Most available slide scanners are optimised for scanning flat and smooth plane slides as in histopathology paraffin embedded tissue sections, however they cannot effectively scan irregular plane slides such as cytological smear slides. The multi-focus image fusion technology has the ability to effectively view the internal structures of cell clusters due to high depth of focus even at larger magnification. Check to see if your requirement matches with that provided by the digital pathology slide scanner that you are considering.

Throughput

The system operates in batches. Basic systems can take-in 5 standard microscopy slides (1×3 inches or 2×3 inches) scans them and displays results. One then needs to remove the slide tray and then insert the next batch. The bigger systems have capacities to accommodate upto 400 slides in one batch. Take into consideration the time-to-view and calculate the number of slides that can be processed in one hour. This number should match with your requirements.

Integration and Digital Collaboration

Integration of the digital slide images with the patient’s health records and sharing of these images for digital collaboration adds immense value to the concept of Whole Slide Imaging. The accompanying software should have these core functions to harness the full capabilities of the digital pathology slide scanner.

Analysis

The accompanying software can perform multitude of functions to aid the work of pathologists. New features and tools are being developed in this direction. Some of the basic features include: Cell counting, Membrane extraction, Automatic recognition of tissue type etc.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”Get in Touch!” h2_font_container=”font_size:25px” h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” shape=”square” style=”flat” color=”green” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”Contact us” btn_style=”flat” btn_shape=”square” btn_color=”black” btn_size=”sm” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true”]We hope that the above information will help you select the right digital pathology slide scanner system for whole slide imaging (WSI). For more information write to us at contact@medimeas.com or fill in the contact form in the link below.[/vc_cta][/vc_column][/vc_row]