Slide Scanning
Scanner evaluation ranges from initial purchase and vendor selection all the way to routine quality control during ongoing scan operation. A standardized and scientifically sound approach for scanner evaluation, which clearly delineates the necessary features for analytical studies, is currently missing. Current regulatory scanner evaluation methods are very costly (>1M USD). Aside from “special controls” – regulators do not
“dictate” which imaging features need to be examined. As a consequence, each sponsor creates their lists ad-hoc (and related to their respective intended uses); however, iterative studies, increased labor, and interoperability pose problems. A survey or consensus-driven method to create an examination “checklist” for technical and analytical scanner evaluations is currently missing.
Key Elements, Next Steps, Timeline
Standardization of definitions, convene interested stakeholders
Technical target(s), survey for suitability
Work on DEFINITIONS Education campaign
Standard tissue target
Characterization of scanner artifacts
Characterization (intro) to histology artifacts
Concerns & Problems
Slide scanning is integral to digital pathology
High-throughput vs. high-quality can be perceived as a key limitation factor for continued innovation.
Slide scanning workflows are difficult and in need of focused education efforts
Slide scanning for clinical vs. research in one workflow.
Unanticipated parameter(s) may turn out to be critical (e.g. z-stacking for cyto; polarization; immunofluorescence)
Value Proposition
Common parameters that characterize any scanner
Enables the objective assessment of the common parameters in 1
Parameters as key variables for quality with relevance for patient care, clinical, R&D and regulatory
Implications & Efforts
Increases uniformity of scanner evaluations.
Levels the competitive towards a comparative environment.
Should simplify the evaluation time and design time for new scanners (known endpoints)
Implications & efforts needs to be determined
Current Projects
News & Updates
Relevant Publications
A quantitative approach to evaluate image quality of whole slide imaging scanners
Date: December 2016
Authors: Shrestha et al.
Link: Pubmed
Computational pathology definitions, best practices, and recommendations for regulatory guidance: a white paper from the Digital Pathology Association
Date: November 2019
Authors: Abels et al.
Link: Pubmed
HistoQC: An Open-Source Quality Control Tool for Digital Pathology Slides
Date: April 2019
Authors: Janowczyk et al.
Link: Pubmed
IMI-Bigpicture: A Central Repository for Digital Pathology
Date: February 2021
Authors: Moulin et al.
Link: Pubmed
How does image quality affect radiologists' perceived ability for image interpretation and lesion detection in digital mammography?
Date: January 2021
Authors: Boita et al.
Link: Pubmed
Whole slide imaging: The futurescape of histopathology
Date: January-March 2021
Authors: Jayaram N Iyengar
Link: Pubmed
Developing a Qualification and Verification Strategy for Digital Tissue Image Analysis in Toxicological Pathology
Date: December 2020
Authors: Zuraw et al.
Link: Pubmed
Validating Whole Slide Imaging Systems for Diagnostic Purposes in Pathology
Date: May 2021
Authors: Evans et al.
Link: Download PDF here
Group Leader
Scott Blakely
Coming soon