Dermatologists Provided Digital Pathology Solution for Real-Time Access to Whole Slides
This is interesting news from Clearpath Derm, a company founded by a well-known high volume dermatopathology laboratory, Dermpath Lab of Central States (DLCS) to provide its clients with remote access to their images. In a nutshell Clearpath 3.0 creates a virtual lab for any dermatologist who chooses to interpret his or her own slides. About 20% of derms read their own slides today. The logistics are the same as any TC-based lab. DLCS provides the technical histology services to prep the slides but then goes one step further with slide scanning and hosting. The dermatologist can then use the dedicated Clearpath Software to track and review and sign-out their cases through an integrated solution. What’s really cool is that the application works on a touch-enabled tablet like an iPad Pro, allowing the flexibility to review slides from anywhere.
In my opinion, this is a significant development in digital pathology for users and for the market and industry as a whole. This leverages enhanced technical services provided as well as dedicated viewing/reporting to complete the workflow. Remote histology services combined with software to remote users to allow them to view their cases in near real-time, a major value proposition for digital pathology whether you are a user, solutions provider or now, a laboratory.
And of course perhaps most interesting from my perspective is adoption by dermatologists, moving from reading their own slides via analogue means to digital means. I think this is the tip of the iceberg in terms of marketability. Imagine GI in-office labs adopting this solution to allow for pathologists to read whole slides from the laboratory providing a unified solution, including an LIS for pathologists to perform their services from desktop or handheld devices. And urology in-office labs. A game changer for sure as Clearpath’s founder, Dr. Tom Olsen speaks about below.
Clearpath Derm Brings Digital Pathology to Dermatologists With First-of-Its-Kind Clearpath® 3.0 Software
DAYTON, OH–(Marketwired – May 17, 2016) – Clearpath Derm, a company founded by Dermpath Lab of Central States (DLCS), a full-service dermatopathology laboratory that has been serving physicians for over 30 years, today announced the launch of Clearpath 3.0, a digital software solution for dermatopathology. Clearpath 3.0 provides dermatologists with real-time access to whole slide images and patient case information from anywhere using a tablet, iPad or computer. The Clearpath solution leverages images from the Aperio ePathology whole slide scanning platform from Leica Biosystems. For the first time, it provides a flexible, easy-to-use software tool for viewing slides and streamlining the pathology workflow within a dermatology practice.
Clearpath 3.0 creates a virtual lab for any dermatologist who chooses to interpret his or her own slides. Dermatologists simply send biopsies to the DLCS lab and, within 48 hours, they receive crisp digital slide images for review and assessment. Powered by Aperio digital pathology slide scanners, Clearpath 3.0 offers unprecedented image quality for whole slide imaging. Using Clearpath’s patented digital microscope functionality, physicians can zoom and rotate slide images on the screen just like they would with a traditional microscope.
Clearpath 3.0 offers a suite of other features and benefits designed to make the workflow for dermatologists more efficient and seamless. Complete with report-generating features, Clearpath software integrates with the majority of electronic medical record systems, allowing for the convenient management of case information and the ability to sign out cases electronically. Images can be shared in real time, enabling easy consult with colleagues and better communication with patients. Consults with DLCS lab experts can also be requested using the software as well as additional stains or recuts.
Thomas Olsen, MD, a DLCS founder and the driving force behind Clearpath 3.0, views the technology as a game-changer. “Clearpath allows dermatologists to dramatically cut down on the inefficiencies created by the traditional dermatopathology workflow and get critical reports back to their patients faster — improving overall patient care,” states Dr. Olsen.
“Using our digital pathology technology, DLCS has enabled groundbreaking advancements in dermatopathology that will shape the future of how physicians view the lab,” said Puneet Sarin, vice president and general manager of Leica Biosystems Pathology Imaging Business. “Providing dermatologists with digitized glass slides through the Clearpath software is a new paradigm for managing, interpreting and viewing pathology information that connects the complete clinical workflow from sample tracking and quality control all the way to upstream diagnostic process, improving the overall productivity and quality of the entire process.”
About Clearpath Derm
Clearpath Derm is the umbrella company for Clearpath 3.0, the first-ever software solution that allows dermatologists to view whole slide images digitally without a microscope. This technology was developed by Dermpath Lab of Central States (DLCS), a world-class team of dermatopathology experts. Biopsies are converted by DLCS into digital whole slide images within 48 hours and are accessible via digital cloud storage from anywhere using a tablet, iPad or computer. As an extension of your lab, Clearpath 3.0 makes review and assessment easier, faster and more convenient. For more information about Clearpath 3.0, visit www.clearpathderm.com.
About Leica Biosystems
Leica Biosystems (LeicaBiosystems.com) is a global leader in workflow solutions and automation, integrating each step in the workflow. As the only company to own the workflow from biopsy to diagnosis, the company is uniquely positioned to break down the barriers between each of these steps. Leica Biosystems’ mission of “Advancing Cancer Diagnostics, Improving Lives” is at the heart of its corporate culture. The company’s easy-to-use and consistently reliable offerings help improve workflow efficiency and diagnostic confidence. The company is represented in over 100 countries and is headquartered in Nussloch, German
