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07 Feb 2022
37: How tissue clearing - based 3D immunofluorescence allows for seeing more biology in the tissue w/ Sharla White, ClearLight Biotechnologies
Even though tissues are tridimensional structures, most tissue research is done on two-dimensional tissue slides. This leaves a tremendous amount of biological information on the table. This episodes' guest - Sharla White, Ph.D., the vice president of research and development at ClearLight Biotechnologies explains how tissue clearing and 3D immunofluorescence can take your tissue research to a whole new level.
With the rise of immuno-oncology, the importance of immune cell interactions with the tumor cells is now routinely interrogated with immunofluorescent markers the spatial relationships of different immune cell populations are investigated. But how can we investigate something happening in a 3D space on a flat, two-dimensional tissue section? The truth is - in a very restricted manner. This is where tissue clearing and 3D immunofluorescence come into play.
The tissue clearing technology -CLARITY, developed by ClearLight Biosciences allows for maintaining the integrity of tissue and visualizing cells in their original place and shape at the same time by using 3D immunofluorescence.
In order to image deeper (beyond 100 micrometers), the light-scattering lipids of the tissue need to be removed and the refractive indexes of collagen, bone, and other tissue components need to be aligned. This is done after fixing the tissue and embedding it in a hydrogel. It ensures that the tissue structure is maintained before the detergent is applied to wash out the light-scattering lipids.
Once tissue clearing is done, antibodies with properties and in amounts compatible with the process are used for 3D immunofluorescence.
This powerful technology does not come without challenges such as:
the necessity of tissue bleaching for melanoma samples,
selection of appropriate immunofluorescence markers,
size of the 3D image files generated for visualization (often as big as 500 gigabytes reaching terabytes of data!)
meaningful interpretation of the results
Listen to the full episode to learn how Dr. White's team is approaching all the challenges, leveraging CLARITY potential and how this technology changes the way we do tissue research.
Visiopharm is a company offering image analysis software used on pathology images. The software has been on the market for over 20 years and has evolved through the transition of digital microscopy to digital pathology. Digital microscopy provided static tissue images captured through the microscope camera and only branched out into digital pathology with the wider availability and adoption of whole slide scanners. Image analysis spans digital microscopy and digital pathology, and image analysis methods had to evolve in parallel with the imaging technologies to address the hypercomplex pathology problems.
The complexity of digital pathology problems and research questions increases with every additional stain and scientific discovery. Visiopharm’s team challenged themselves by providing an image analysis solution capable of addressing this hypercomplexity and enabling researchers to advance scientifically with their tool.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities applied to computer vision problems took tissue image analysis to a whole new level and incorporating AI into the Visiopharm software tremendously increased the accessibility of this method.
In addition to the two well-known technologies that enabled digital pathology breakthroughs (whole slide imaging and AI), two other important advancements happened during the last two decades
· emphasis on interoperability between different digital pathology systems
· advances in the field of data visualization.
Together these four components are driving the progress of digital pathology both on the diagnostic and research front.
During the last 20 years Visiopharm grew significantly, both organically and through funding and they continue creating value and powerful image analysis tools for the tissue image analysis community.
Listen to the full episode with Visiopharm’s CEO Michael Grunkin to learn more about this 20-year perspective on what happened in the field of digital microscopy and digital pathology.
39: How image analysis and artificial intelligence support digital pathology-enabled precision medicine today and what to expect in the future w/ Michael Grunkin, Visiopharm
With the regulatory approvals of whole slide imaging systems, digital pathology became the modality for routine diagnostics. Digitalization of pathology is aiming at increasing precision and productivity in the pathology lab, but the adoption of this field is slower than expected.
One of the causes of the slow adoption is that going digital in a pathology lab means a much bigger investment than just the cost of the whole slide scanners for slide digitization. Additional costs include digital storage and infrastructure, slide and workflow management, and connectivity to lab information systems.
Because the improvements in precision and productivity gained by going digital are modest at best, a higher value is expected from image analysis and artificial intelligence.
The research and diagnostic applications of image analysis have been explored for decades already and many have found great use in the research-diagnostics continuum. However, a large need for the standardization of tissue diagnostic assays remains unmet.
Standardization of the staining and of the diagnostic interpretation of tests would tremendously benefit pathology and patient care. So far, the standardization efforts focused on the interpretation part of the puzzle. Several quantification algorithms have been developed, many of which received regulatory clearance. At the same time, the IHC assays on which the algorithms are based often lack standardization, and this is where more effort should be put.
Currently, only pathology institutions that go fully digital reap the digital pathology benefits. There is not an efficient way to start slowly, rather it seems to be “all or nothing”. Enabling institutions to embark on the digital pathology journey in an incremental fashion would change the digital pathology landscape and significantly increase the adoption of this technology.
The more value on different fronts digital pathology can provide to institutions and patients, the more the adoption will increase. And we have not yet explored all the ways in which value can be provided.
Listen to the full episode to learn about it in more detail and visit Visiopharm’s website, to learn how they are contributing to the digital transformation in pathology.
40: A simple microscope camera, whole slide scanner and everything in between. The different tiers of digital pathology w/ Mike Miller, I. Miller Microscopes
A common misconception about digital pathology is that it is synonymous with whole slide imaging and has a high price point. This is not the case, as one can enter the digital pathology world and benefit from what it has to offer with a simple microscope camera. If we would like a more sophisticated solution, but don't want to get a whole slide scanner or don't have the use case or business case to justify it, no worries, there is enough to choose from!
In this episode, Mike Miller from I.Miller Microscopes is taking us through all the different levels and price points of digital pathology solutions from a simple microscope camera to a whole slide scanner explaining everything in between.
The digital pathology solutions discussed in this episode include:
Simple microscope camera + imaging software for image capture
For teaching and learning
For capturing static images
presentations
publications
tumor boards
For screen sharing on communication platforms (e.g. zoom, teams, etc.)
Microscope camera with a network port allowing for live streaming
For intraoperative evaluation by an on-site or off-site pathologist
fine-needle aspirates
frozen sections
Live remote control telepathology system
Live remote control telepathology system with low throughput screening capabilities (aka hybrid system)
For use in remote areas without access to pathologists
Whole slide scanners
For high throughput digital pathology workflows on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) material
Listen to the full episode to learn the details and the price points of each solution!
[DPP FAVORITE] Digital Pathology Place is a proud affiliate for the Path4K microscope camera, if you are interested in a quote, fill the form in the link and simply write in the message that you heard about it on our podcast.
41: Digital Pathology for Dermatologists. How Pathology Watch managed to incorporate digital pathology in dermatology practices across the US w/ Dan Lambert, Pathology Watch
Digital pathology is supposed to help pathologists provide better patient care and make their lives easier, but what about other doctors, do they even care? Maybe radiologists? Oncologists? Nope…Dermatologists! They do care!
And they are the clients of Pathology Watch – a CLIA lab specializing in dermatopathology, that is currently servicing samples from over 65 dermatology clinics in the USA.
Pathology Watch provides an end-to-end digital pathology solution for dermatologists. From processing the samples sent by the dermatologists, through the dermatopathology report to the whole slide image of the diagnosed sample, and all this browser-based and integrated with the dermatology clinic’s electronic medical record (EMR) systems. This provides a completely non-disruptive workflow.
Pathology Watch is providing a true end-to-end solution built around dermatologists.
The EMR integration saves the dermatologists time (25h/ month!!! Who would not want to have that?!?) and whole slide images build the bridge between and improve the communication on the “patient-dermatologist-pathologist” line.
Dermatologists can show the images of the cases to the patients, and they can see the highlighted areas used by the pathologist when diagnosing the case.
Once the digitization and intersystem integration take care of the time savings it’s time to step up the game! The next step is using artificial intelligence for better dermatopathology diagnostics and to gain even more time savings. Pathology Watch designed its AI pipeline specifically to bypass the known industry problem of generalizability of AI models.
It is extremely difficult to train generalizable models on samples from different institutions, but if the samples are processed in just one lab in a very controlled environment, using automated equipment and performing rigorous quality control, the pre-analytical variability causing a lack of generalizability is taken care of.
As in any digital pathology operation, troubleshooting is part of the business. What do you do when your scanner breaks down? How do you store the digital pathology images effectively in a cost-efficient way? And how do you deliver the slides in the browser FAST?
It took the Pathology Watch team a few years to solve those and other challenges and come up with good mitigation strategies.
Deep learning artificial intelligence has entered the field of digital pathology and is here to stay because it consistently outperforms the classical image analysis methods on pathology slides.
The only caveat is that to train good deep learning image analysis models we need a lot of whole slide images.
Where do we get them? Is there a central repository that can be used for this purpose?
Good news, there is one in the making!
There is an ongoing project to create a very large repository of several million whole slide images accessible for the digital pathology community. It is called BIGPICTURE and in this podcast you will learn about it from the experts.
There are a few websites online other than the Digital Pathology Place that talk about different aspects of digital pathology. An important one being Pathology News.
Pathology News is an online place bringing together the digital pathology vendors and purchasers. It is meant to be a single community for everyone working in the digital pathology space. A community working together on advancing the digital pathology science.
A unique (and my favorite!) feature of the website, NOT AVAILABLE ANYWHERE ELSE ONLINE, is a special page where digital pathology users have access to detailed information about available digital pathology solutions provided by the digital pathology vendors.
It is like a 24/7 online digital pathology conference where the users can visit vendor space any time they need a specific piece of information, and they can visit multiple vendor spaces and compare their solutions.
All from the comfort of their home without having to call or interact with a single vendor representative before they are ready.
In addition to this unique vendor-purchaser interactive tool Pathology News has other elements:
- scientific articles - latest digital pathology news - list of upcoming digital pathology events - digital pathology career section with the latest vacancies
We partnered to serve the largest audience possible
Digital Pathology Place and Pathology News are both on a mission to advance digital pathology in the scientific community and we want to serve the largest audience possible. We are doing it in a very complementary way that builds bridges within the multidisciplinary environment of digital pathology.
Have you ever wondered what semi-supervised, weekly, and unsupervised artificial intelligence digital pathology models can do to help pathologists?
Can we finally stop annotating???
This episode's guest Geert Litjens - a member of the computational pathology group at Radboud University Medical Center explains how semi-supervised and weekly supervised artificial intelligence-based image analysis can help pathologists do better, more time-efficient, and data-efficient digital pathology.
The supervised deep learning image analysis methods are used often and are well accepted in the digital pathology scientific community, however, they rely heavily on whole slide image annotations. This is very time-consuming and is subjected to annotator to annotator variability.
There has been a lot of research going on in the computational pathology community on the semi and weakly supervised approaches. It turns out that those approaches are starting to match the results delivered by the supervised approaches.
Are we there yet? Can we stop annotating pathology slides altogether and rely on the slide-level labels?
Listen to the full episode to learn more + share with friends!
This is a joint podcast episode where the hosts of "Beyond the Scope" - the official Digital Pathology Association podcast and the host of the "Digital Pathology Podcast" meet to talk about what is going on in our discipline.
Together David Tulman, Giovanni Lujan, and Aleksandra Zuraw cover the current digital pathology topics such as digital pathology guidelines for clinical and non-clinical pathology, digital pathology adoption in clinical pathology settings and pharmaceutical pathology as well as how the pandemic influenced the adoption of digital pathology.
This episode is different than most of our episodes and it is really fun to listen to so stay till the end!
Did you know that pathology diagnostics through a smartphone is a thing? Really and officially! It is called static telecytology and a lot has already been published on it (see RESOURCES BELOW).
This episode's guest, Dr. Kate Baker, a veterinary clinical pathologist, developed a smartphone app for veterinary telecytology! This digital pathology smartphone app is called pocket pathologist and let's you get access to a veterinary pathologist opinion remotely.
This app was developed for practicing veterinarians who want or need to consult telecytology cases with a board certified pathologist.
This technology can be used for other areas of static telepathology including rapid on site evaluation (ROSE) and Dr. Kate is giving us a sneak peek into the app development and how it was for a veterinarian to work with an app development team (and NO, it does not cost a million dollars ).
This great little tool for remote pathology diagnostics is a proof that anyone, regardless of their budget can leverage the power of digital pathology to offer or access better care for their patients. You only need a microscope, a smartphone and smartphone adapter (to save time and take better pictures).
This episode is brought to you by Hamamatsu. Thank you Hamamatsu :)
So...you are already doing digital pathology in your institution but would like to scale it, take it to the next level? How do you do it, where do you start?
In this episode my guest, Mark Zarella, PhD (previously Johns Hopkins University, currently Mayo Clinic) explains how he did exactly that at Johns Hopkins University.
He talks about:
What is important when evaluating whole slide scanners and how to choose the best whole slide scanner for you
How he organized and managed the whole slide images at Johns Hopkins University
How he scaled the operations from ca. 10K slides to ca. 750K slides a year
How he ensured interoperability of systems
How he approached automated slide quality control
AND MUCH MUCH MORE!
If you are serious about taking your digital pathology operations to the next level, THIS IS THE EPISODE TO LISTEN TO!
This episode is brought to you by Aiforia. Thank you Aiforia :)
Today you will learn how Raish Pai, MD, a busy, practicing pathologist from Mayo Clinic developed a complex supervised deep learning tissue image analysis model to quantify visual diagnostic features of colon cancer and in the process developed a model that can predict clinical outcome.
He used the deep learning-based tissue image analysis platform - Aiforia.
As much as I love Digital Pathology - things that are not always perfect, and the integrations of systems are not always seamless. We don't need to sugar coat it.
And the sooner we start talking about the things that are not so cool, the sooner we will be able to change them.
In this podcast episode I discuss the things that need to be improved with Puneet Pantane, the Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Crosscope, where he leverages the power of new technologies such as AI, machine learning, and image processing to improve the research, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
In this episode we cover:
What is Crosscope? Where is this company and what are they actually doing?
What is digital transformation?
Who are Crosscope's customers?
What is not working in digital pathology?
If we had a magic wand that can solve any digital pathology problem, what would NUMBER 1 PROBLEM to solve be?
Spoiler alert: Puneet - interoperability of systems
Aleks - reinventing the wheel in image analysis
What digital pathology problems can be fixed immediately (the low hanging fruits)?
How to standardize digital pathology in small pieces?
Several scanners have been cleared by the FDA for clinical pathology work, but what about FDAs stand on all the nonclinical pathology work done in a regulatory environment? Specifically the work done in the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) compliant environment?
Can we use the slides without restrictions in lieu of glass slides?
What part of the digital pathology system do we need to validate?
How do wemaintain and archive the whole slide images used for the pathology portion of the nonclinical toxicologic studies?
Good news!
There is an official FDA draft guidance for the industry that asks all those and a few more questions and answers them at the same time.
In this episode I will go through the guidance for you, so that you don't have to spend time reading this document. But if you feel like doing it anyway, it's available for you to download below in this episode's resources.
And in case you want to skip the whole episode (which I sincerely hope you don't! Believe me, it's pretty fun for and FDA guidance episode:), the answer to most questions is YES.
I started working in the digital pathology space, because it sounded cool.
When I started my digital pathology journey in 2016 as the first full time pathologist supporting the image analysis team, I thought it was the coolest job to get straight out of my veterinary pathology residency!
I was regarded as an expert (such a different feeling from what you experience during your training, when you are constantly being reminded how little you know and how much there still is to learn), which increased my confidence and motivated me to learn more. After all I needed to explain pathology to computer scientists.
Working together with the image analysis team and the software development team was exciting and I got to play and test software to view and annotate images.
Yes... ⛌ The images were shipped on hard drives ⛌ It took forever to open an image (over 30 sec...sometimes several minutes) ⛌ The annotation tool would regularly crash
FAST FORWARD 6 years
✔️No more hard drive shipping ✔️The speed of working with digital slides matches my speed at the microscope ✔️I didn't have to reboot my computer a single time today ✔️I work entirely remotely and can attend all recitals and events my kids take part in
VERY SELFISHLY I WOULDN'T WANT TO HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY
I know I'm part of a minority of privileged pathologists. But it very much reminds me of the time when smartphones came to the market, when I could not afford one yet and they did not have so many functionalities
I was dreaming of having one that could always connect to the Internet, so that I could use Google Maps whenever I wanted (both on vacation and during my commute as a Polish PhD student studying in Germany - knowing the fastest way home on the weekend and avoiding traffic would be priceless!)
NOW EVERYONE HAS A SMARTPHONE
And would you want to have a different phone? The old one? I know some would, but THEY ARE A MINORITY NOW.
How far are you in your digital pathology journey? How do you feel about it? Is it already a reality or still a science fiction for you? Let me know in the comments on LinkedIn
Although digital pathology was supposed to be faster and more seamless than classical pathology on glass there are still many manual steps in the workflow.
Cleaning slides before scanning
Loading the scanner
Controlling the quality after scanning...
What if all this could be automated and all the manual work could be significantly reduced or even eliminated?
Well it can! With the 2nd generation of whole slide scanners powered with AI software, that can perform the tasks automatically during the scanning process.
And you don't even need to buy them to gain this benefit for your lab, because you can now buy digitization of your slides as a service from Pramana.
This episode's guest - Prasanth Perugupalli, the Chief Product Officer of Pramanaexplains exactly how it can be done and what was the journey to making it possible.
Cytomine is your tool. But so are QuPath, Cell Profiler, ImageJ, and several …
So how is Cytomine different? Cytomine focuses on collaboration (which is crucial in tissue image analysis projects!) and in addition to the free open-source version it also has a paid enterprise version.
In this broadcast my guest Gregoire Vicky, the co-founder of Cytomine will tell you what Cytomine is best for, what are the differences between the paid and free versions, and how it differs from QuPath and any other open-source tissue image analysis software.
Computational pathology – how did this field even start?
In today’s episode my guest is Jeroen van der Laak, computational pathology professor at Radboud University Medical Center, who was recently listed on "The Pathologist Power List" in the category “Strange New worlds”
Jeroen has been in the field of computational pathology for over 30 years and has seen it being created and evolve.
He witnessed how advancements in whole-slide imaging and deep learning have allowed for the practical application of AI in pathology.
Throughout the evolution of the field of computational pathology the focus has shifted from research-oriented work to direct collaboration with clinicians to test AI in diagnostic practice.
During his tenure Jeroen has seen what it takes to be successful in the field of computational and digital pathology.
To be a successful researcher in this field you need to understand the importance of high quality data and understand how the field of pathology works and what you see in the tissue you are analyzing.
This is a very collaborative field and a responsibility of an AI researcher is making AI accessible and breaking down technical aspects for pathologists.
Jeroen co-leads the Computational Pathology Group at Radboud with two other researchers – Francesco Ciompi and Geert Litjens. Their criteria for choosing successful candidates for a digital pathology group include good team spirit, collaboration, willingness to learn, and understanding of the field.
It is just a matter of (not too much) time when AI will become mainstream in pathology labs and will improve the accuracy and speed of patient diagnosis. Just like whole slide scanning is becoming part of the routine pathology workflow, so will AI based image analysis.
Today is the International Women's Day and this month at the Digital Pathology Podcast I decided to invite some incredible women who are leaders in the digital pathology field.
Today's guest, Inti Zlobec is a professor of Digital Pathology at the University of Bern. Inti is now leading the digital pathology branch of the Institute for Tissue Medicine and Pathology, where she bridges the gap between pathologists, computer scientists, and data scientists. She also serves as the president of the Swiss Digital Pathology Consortium. The institute's name was changed to emphasize the dynamism in pathology and its links to various other domains.
Her background is in statistics and computational research combined with a PhD in experimental pathology at the University of McGill in Canada. Combining and hybridizing those two fieldshas been a blessing for her in bringing people with different backgrounds together. Bothe her background and personality make here a natural connector of all digital pathology links. A crucial part of this linkage is removal of the intimidation factor associated with pathologists. Instead the focus should be on acquiring the necessary level of knowledge for collaboration. It's important to involve pathologists in the projects early and give them them a sense of contribution to foster a productive collaboration.
Pathologists should not just be used for annotations and quick checks, but should be included in projects as equal contributors.
In addition to Inti's University appointment she also is the president of the Swiss Digital Pathology Consortium (SDPath). In 2018, a group of three professionals (Inti included:) in Switzerland founded the Swiss Digital Pathology Initiative (SDPI) to promote digital pathology and exchange knowledge. The initiative grew to over 140 members, and in 2021, SDPI collaborated with the Swiss Personalized Health Network to build a digital pathology network across Switzerland.
The goal of SDPI is to harmonize and structure data by scanning cases, attaching a minimum set of variables to images, and using standardized hardware and formats. This network will allow researchers and industry partners to access virtual cohorts of patients for clinical trials, and the harmonized data sets can also help boost pharmaceutical development.
This would be the first initiative of this kind at a national level which will create a fantastic model for others to tweak and follow.
As a female in science in general and in the digital pathology field specifically, she has been fortunate to be surrounded by people who value her ideas and ideas of others, regardless of their gender. The gender gap in this field is still noticeable, particularly in more senior positions, which affects the number of female role models. Often insecurity can prevent some women from advancing, but exposure, experience and dedicated work on overcoming your own limitations will help. And so will involvement in initiatives such as SDPI.
Today's podcast is about the regulatory aspect of digital pathology and how it fits into the space between research and clinical use called translational medicine.
The podcast guest, Esther Abels, is a regulatory expert in digital pathology and a female leader in the field. She was involved in the team effort that brought the first Phillips clearance of a whole slide scanner to the attention of the FDA.
Translational research has the potential to bridge the gap between discovery and clinical practice. Its goal is to use evidence from research to target diseases and apply the insights in the clinic.
Digital pathology is seen as a tool to expedite the development pipeline for drugs and medical devices through the use of algorithms and AI.
There are however regulatory requirements that need to be taken into consideration when developing and using digital pathology tools. For example tissue image analysis tools used to support clinical decisions need to adhere to the FDA's guidance for software as a medical device.
The FDA is also working to define data sets that can be validated and reused for algorithm development. There are ongoing efforts in Europe and the US to draft laws and frameworks related to artificial intelligence and validation techniques for AI tools.
It is a best practice to engage with the FDA early and this process for drug and medical device companies starts with a pre-submission to the FDA, seeking advice and discussing the approach. To be successful the role of a regulatory architect is crucial in overseeing the process and guiding it from point A to B to Z.
In addition to being a regulatory expert in the digital pathology field, Esther is also the immediate past president of the Digital Pathology Association (DPA). Because digital pathology brings people together from various fields, including pathologists, toxicologists, lab personnel, regulatory experts, and clinical development personnel, during her presidency Esther focused on collaboration between those different fields.
Esther Abels is a regulatory consultant who can be found on LinkedIn and her YouTube channel, which features helpful guidance and information videos.
The field of pathology has been revolutionized by the introduction of machine learning techniques, which enable more efficient and accurate diagnoses and have the potential to some day even eliminate or reduce the number of expensive molecular tests. However, the model development is a complex process and there are certain mistakes that must be avoided when using machine learning for pathology.
In this informative discussion with Heather Couture, an expert in machine learning for pathology, she highlights the top 5 MISTAKES THAT YOU MUSTAVOID to ensure the best possible machine learning and deep learning project outcomes.
Through her insights, you will learn about the 5 most common ML mistakes and how to avoid them:
Not understanding your data and its challenges.
Diving in without researching prior work (academic research and open source code) that is similar to what you're trying to model.
Starting with too complex a model.
Not thinking ahead towards validation.
Not fully understanding how the technology will ultimately be used.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can maximize the benefits of machine learning for pathology and ensure accurate and timely project results and product launches. Whether you are new to machine learning or an experienced practitioner, this discussion is a valuable resource for anyone interested in using machine learning (including deep learning) for pathology.
In digital pathology is it best to start small and incrementally implement the technology or go all in to reap all the the benefits at once?
The good news is that those two approaches are not mutually exclusive, you can totally start small and scale up, and you can do it with just one vendor partner if you feel like it!
This episode's guest is Leif Honda, Chief Innovation Officer at TriMetis Life Sciences. TriMetis is a unique company that serves as an external hub for those who want to start digital pathology but do not have all the components.
In an ideal world, going all-in would be the best option, but due to the high costs, it may be better to start small and work with partnering companies to take advantage of the full infrastructure and TriMetic can help with that.
Leif has an extraordinary background - he has a molecular biology and economic degree. This combination positions him perfectly to be the Chief Innovation Officer.
TriMetis started as a biobank, and started leveraging digital pathology to digitize the H&E slides of their biobank samples. Later they started using image analysis to quantify the amount and type of tissue present in their biobanking samples. Then they offered this type of service to other biobanks and other research institutions.
They are on a mission to accelerate cancer research through facilitating access to the relevant bio-specimen for everyone who needs them. Currently they also enable the image analysis algorithm creators to deliver their algorithms to cancer researchers and deploy them through the TriMetis digital platform.
All these developments make TriMetis an End-to-End digital pathology solution for cancer researchers.
Listen to the full episode to learn more about how you can benefit from their work.
Introduction Are you curious about what goes into creating a cutting-edge digital online resource like PathologyOutlines.com? Then this episode is for you!
About PathologyOutlines.com PathologyOutlines.com is a living textbook that covers 4,800 topics and involves 300+ contributors and 60 editors. It's a comprehensive online pathology resource that provides invaluable information for anyone in the pathology space.
PathologyOutlines.com Peer Review Process The PathologyOutlines.com team takes great pride in their accuracy and responsiveness, as evidenced by their peer review process and willingness to address typos and other errors brought to their attention by users immediately.
Contributing to PathologyOutlines.com PathologyOutlines.com is seeking contributors who are willing to submit their own images and articles to the website. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone in the pathology field who is looking to expand their online portfolio and make a valuable contribution to the industry.
Personal Profile on PathologyOutlines.com PathologyOutlines.com offers the chance to create a mini personal page on their website. This is a great opportunity for anyone practicing pathology in the world to be featured in the PATHOLOGIST DIRECTORY.
IHC Stains and CD Markers Explained The page with all the IHC stains and CD markers explained is a favorite resource of many pathology professionals. This is an invaluable resource for anyone working in the IHC quantification space.
Digital Pathology Starter Kit For those just starting their journey in digital pathology I have a special gift - the Digital Pathology Starter Kit. It contains valuable resources and information to help you get started on your digital pathology journey. This includes tips on how to choose a scanner, recommendations for digital pathology software, and much more.
Keywords: digital pathology, pathology professionals, PathologyOutlines.com, online pathology resource, peer review process, contributors, IHC stains, CD markers, digital pathology starter kit, personal profile.
Have you heard the stereotype of a pathologist hidden behind the microscope (or in the era of digital pathology behind the computer screen). Pathologist as the doctors' doctor?
Today, I have a special guest who defies this stereotype!
Dr. Marilyn Bui, a specialized cytopathologist, is patient-focused and emphasizes the patient-centricity of pathology work. She co-authored a book, "The Healing Art of Pathology", and amplifies her message by being a leader in various organizations.
Dr. Bui is the current president of the Florida Society of Pathologists and previously held the same role in the Digital Pathology Association.
In this episode, Dr. Bui shares her background and how she became a patient-centered pathologist. She talks about her work in tissue pathology, cytopathology, and digital pathology at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, where she also teaches and conducts research.
Dr. Bui believes that pathology and laboratory medicine are essential disciplines in healthcare, and she advocates for their protection and augmentation.
Join me in this conversation with Dr. Marilyn Bui as we delve deeper into the world of pathology and learn more about her book, "The Healing Art of Pathology."
Welcome to the crossover podcast with David, Giovanni and myself (Aleks) again. During this episode, we explore the world of digital pathology, artificial intelligence, including Chat GPT, and their growing importance in the field.
Is 2023 the year of AI for digital pathology?
We will talk about it and about the impact of AI in digital pathology and how Chat GPT could transform the way pathology reports are written. We discuss the benefits of using AI in digital pathology and what the future holds for this field.
As the discussion progresses, the experts explain the workflow of digital pathology and its advancements, including deep learning, and the role of AI in these advancements. They also discuss how Open AI Chat GPT is changing the landscape of artificial intelligence news.
Join Giovanni, David and myself for an engaging and insightful conversation about the latest advancements in digital pathology and the future possibilities of AI and Chat GPT in this field.
Exploring Spatial Biology and Image Analysis with Lorenz Rognoni
Get ready for a deep dive into spatial biology and image analysis with Lorenz Rognoni, the Director of Image Data Science at Ultivue. Ultivue is a company specializing in spatial biology and Lorenz brings his wealth of knowledge in multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) and image data science to this great conversation.
Multiplex IF: Challenges and Complexities
We kick off our discussion by addressing the inherent challenges in multiplex IF. The conversation spans a range of issues including tissue preparation artifacts, unique tissue morphology, and antibody-specific staining. The vast variability of tissues, differing across body regions, species, and health conditions, is a recurring theme. We also delve into the effectiveness of expert visual evaluation for traditional stains and the need for new strategies to interpret high-dimensional data.
Brightfield Imaging in Spatial Biology: Does it Still Play a Role?
Shifting gears, we discuss the role of brightfield imaging in spatial biology. Is there still space for brightfield if we want to learn the spatial interactions of cells in the tissue? Is this method not too limiting? Lorenz underscores its continued relevance, particularly when robustness and scalability are prerequisites. He suggests transitioning to simpler methods like singleplex IF or even brightfield imaging, once research zeroes in on specific biomarkers of relevance with multiplex IF.
Transitioning from Image Analysis to Data Interpretation: Navigating the Pitfalls
Our conversation culminates in a look at the challenges and potential missteps in moving from image analysis to interpreting the data generated. Lorenz points out the crucial process of extracting meaningful insights from millions of cells, defining appropriate phenotypes, and considering the intricacies of downstream data mining.
Key Takeaways
mIF is an exploratory method and the insights gained can later be transitioned ti simpler methods such as single market IF or IHC
The spatial biology research relies on accurate cell segmentation and identifying the correct phenotypes of cells.
Correct segmentation is the first step to explore the insights and this exploration is being done through informed data mining that takes into consideration all the information about the study. This is best done by an image data science team where image analysis scientists, data mining experts and pathologists work together.
Join us for this insightful conversation and gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and nuances of spatial biology and image data science with Lorenz Rognoni.
Bringing Science into the Clinic with Prof. Anant Madabhushi
Translational research - what is it actually? How do you do it?
I can already tell you how not to do it - halfheartedly.
If you want to translate your scientific discoveries into something that actually benefits patients, you need to do all in!
And this is what my guest Prof. Anant Madabhushi from the Emory University and Georgia Tech has dedicated his entire professional career to.
He offers his insights on what it really takes to "walk your scientific talk" and work as a truly translational researcher in the space of digital pathology, radiology and medical engineering.
Listen to an in-depth discussion about conducting high-quality science and the rigorous journey of commercializing the research and actually benefiting the patients with it.
With his vast experience and profound understanding, Prof. Madabhushi gives us an insider's view of the effort and time required to successfully take a scientific discovery from the lab to a clinical trial, and then to the market. His perspective is enriched by his role as founder of several med tech companies, co-author of numerous high impact factor scientific publications, and a mentor and teacher to the next generation of brilliant computational pathology scientists.
Welcome to a very spontaneous and exciting episode of the Digital Pathology Podcast. In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Giovanni Lujan from Ohio State University, whom you might remember from our previous crossover podcasts with Beyond the Scope.
Recently, we were at the Digital Pathology and AI Congress in New York organized by Global Engage, and guess what? We decided to record this episode right there, surrounded by the buzz of the conference. No fancy preparations, just real and raw insights for you.
Giovanni and I are sharing our impressions and discussing the latest trends in digital pathology that were highlighted at the Congress. It's fantastic to finally meet in person after collaborating on two podcasts together. Giovanni has been a devoted follower of our podcast and all things digital pathology, and I'm truly inspired by his passion for the field.
The Congress organized by Global Engage has a unique vibe. It's smaller, which allows for more meaningful interactions and networking opportunities with fellow professionals and vendors. The longer breaks and one-on-one meetings foster valuable connections, making this conference stand out from the rest.
Keywords: Digital Pathology Congress Recap, Networking, Insights, Global Engage Impact, Giovanni Lujan, Beyond the Scope, Cutting-edge Innovations, Stay Updated, Join Now
How is digital pathology used in clinical trials? Because digital pathology as a discipline began with the aim of streamlining clinical trials, one could assume that this is currently the default. Unfortunately, this is not the case… In today's discussion, our guest, Dr. Monika Lamba, a pathologist from Q2 Solutions, the lab division of IQVIA, sheds light on how digital pathology revolutionizes the landscape of clinical trials but also where we can still see the gaps.
In this engaging conversation, we discover how the origins of telepathology marked the inception of digital pathology and its journey to becoming an essential component of clinical trials. Dr. Lamba walks us through the complexities of clinical trials, their organization, and patient matching across multiple sites and international boundaries.
As we unravel the role of pathology in clinical trials, we delve into how eligibility criteria, participant engagement, and informed consent are intricately woven into the process. Dr. Lamba educates us on the critical role of pathology in stratifying and randomizing patients, as well as evaluating outcome measures.
From disease staging to pathologic complete response assessments, pathology guides the way toward precision medicine and targeted therapies. Don't miss this captivating episode where we explore the synergy between digital pathology and clinical trials, paving the path for medical advancements and transformative healthcare solutions. Tune in now to expand your horizons on the ever-evolving intersection of digital pathology and clinical trials.
What happened to digital pathology in the last decade?
Step into a time machine with us as we explore "The Evolution OF Digital Pathology– From Improved Histology Quality to Fair Use of Pathology Data" alongside Dr. Matt Leavitt, President of the Digital Diagnostics Foundation and Founder of Lumea. In this captivating podcast episode, we'll journey through the years and witness the incredible transformation of digital pathology.
Travel back to 2013, when digital pathology was still in its infancy, and fast forward to the present day, where innovation and technology have reshaped the landscape and ethical questions about patient data use urgently need answers.
Dr. Leavitt provides unique insights into the challenges, breakthroughs, and trends that have defined this transformative decade.
Gain a front-row seat to the evolution of healthcare innovation as we compare and contrast digital pathology then and now. Whether you're a seasoned pathologist, a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of medicine, this episode promises to enlighten and inspire.
Join us on this remarkable journey through time and innovation. Subscribe to the podcast now to uncover the secrets of digital pathology's evolution and chart a course for the future. Don't miss out—tune in and be a part of this fascinating exploration!
In this episode of "The Digital Pathology Podcast," we delve into the fascinating career of Dr. Anil Parwani from Ohio State University, a visionary whose ardor for technology and research paved the way for groundbreaking advancements in digital pathology.
Dr. Parwani's journey commenced with a bold move – launching a web educational series during his residency – well ahead of digital pathology's mainstream emergence. As we delve into his narrative, you'll witness how his pioneering spirit laid the groundwork for a transformative trajectory. The pivotal moment? It arrived with the debut of the first digital pathology scanners. Dr. Parwani envisioned a future where patient care and pathology research could soar to unprecedented heights through digitization. His role in implementing digital pathology solutions, including collaborations with startups, deepened his grasp of the clinical significance of this game-changing technology.
As the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated technological advancements in digital pathology, Dr. Parwani witnessed a significant 20% surge in adoption within his institution. How did they strike the ideal balance between remote and in-person interactions? Discover the insights in this episode.
Furthermore, in an era where the number of medical students pursuing pathology is dwindling, we'll examine how digital pathology is sparking renewed interest. Dr. Parwani reveals how this field, with its research prospects, educational promise, and collaborative ethos, is reshaping perceptions and attracting fresh talent.
Stay tuned for an expedition through the dynamic realm of digital pathology with Dr. Anil Parwani. It's a captivating odyssey into innovation, precision, and the future of medical science that promises not to disappoint!
This book is the culmination of months of passion and hard work. If you've been following me on social media, you know it's been a labor of love. But why did I write this book, you might ask? Well, it's your comprehensive guide to navigating and thriving in the realm of digital pathology.
But first, let's rewind a bit. Back in 2003, Dr. Anil Parwani predicted that everyone would be digital by 2007. Well, that might have been a bit too optimistic, but guess what? The digital age in pathology is here, and it's not a distant future; it's right around the corner.
I'm convinced that now is the time, and that's why I'm so excited to share this book with you.
In that webinar, I delved deep into why digital pathology is the future, and trust me, it's a future you don't want to miss out on.
But enough about that, let's dive into the first chapter of the audio version of "Digital Pathology 101." In this chapter, we'll explore the historical milestones that paved the way for digital pathology. So, without further ado, let's get started on this journey into the world of digital pathology.
Here is what we will cover in this part of chapter 1:
DIGITAL PATHOLOGY MILESTONES
A. Historical Milestone
B. Regulatory Milestone
BASIC DIGITALIZATION CONCEPTS
A. About Digitization, Digitalization and Digital Transformation
B. Digitization - The Scanner and its Components
C. Digitalization and its challenges - Data Generation and Management
D. Digital transformation: Advantages and Challenges of Digital Pathology
This is the second part of the first chapter of the recently published “Digital Pathology 101” book.
This part of the chapter addresses a question that I keep hearing from those just entering the world of digital pathology: “Will pathologists lose their jobs now, that algorithms can be developed to diagnose disease?”
The short answer is “No”.
Keep reading for the explanation why not.
The Rise of Deep Learning
One of the most notable trends has been the rise of deep learning and AI in digital pathology. These advanced techniques are being embraced by the pathology community to analyze complex issues from sclerotic glomeruli through liver fibrosis to different types of cancer. The user-friendliness of new tools powered by deep learning makes it accessible even for non-experts.
Industry Paradigm Shifts
Several paradigm shifts are occurring in the digital pathology industry:
Transition from handcrafted algorithms to deep learning
Shift to cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions
Movement towards pathologist decision support systems rather than fully autonomous analysis
Enhanced user-friendliness of digital pathology software
Empowering Pathologists
An important change has been the emphasis on empowering pathologists with decision support systems rather than replacing them with algorithms. The goal is to accelerate the case review process without compromising accuracy or integrity. Pathologists remain responsible for the final diagnosis.
Blending Analog and Digital Worlds
Some innovative companies are pioneering solutions to blend traditional microscopes and digital pathology, such as Augmentics' augmented reality microscope cameras or systems used by Smart in Media. This allows professionals to collaborate in real-time and apply algorithms while still using the cherished microscope.
Personalized Digital Pathology
The industry has moved away from a one-size-fits-all approach to personalized solutions tailored to each institution's workflow and challenges. This shift leverages the power of deep learning while enhancing user experience.
The trusted microscope remains an essential part of pathology, but digital solutions open new doors for analysis and efficiency. As this field evolves, quality control and understanding the capabilities and limitations of technology is crucial.
Exciting times are ahead in digital pathology! Be sure to listen to the full podcast episode for an in-depth discussion.
Image analysis has supported pathology since the introduction of whole slide scanners to the market, and when deep learning entered the scene of computer vision tissue image analysis gained superpowers.
There are regulatory compliant AI-based image analysis tools available for practicing pathology around the globe.
So what shall you do, just embrace them and start using?
I would learn a bit about image analysis and AI first, to be able to make an informed decision.
Good news, you can get all the information needed for this informed decision from this very chapter of the "Digital Pathology 101" book that I have published for you.
From Chapter 3 you will learn the fundamentals of tissue image analysis and how it helps extract meaningful data from digital pathology images.
We break it down into basic concepts like
regions and objects of interest,
matching computer vision techniques to pathology tasks, and the
differences between classical machine learning and AI-based deep learning approaches.
Understanding these foundations sets the stage for appreciating how image analysis is applied in regulated clinical settings versus exploratory research environments. You will learn the importance of quality control, because flawed data inputs inevitably lead to faulty outputs, regardless of the analysis method used.
Moving on, you will familiarize yourself with the key terminology from the world of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
The chapter clarifies the meaning of concepts like
supervised learning,
GPUs,
data augmentation, and
heat maps.
It emphasizes how techniques like
patching and
data augmentation
enable the training of machine learning algorithms on large datasets.
Ultimately, by comprehending this terminology and the basics of tissue image analysis, you'll gain clarity on how these tools can provide decision support to pathologists through computer-aided diagnosis. Rather than seeing AI as a black box, you'll have insight into how it arrives at its outputs.
With this balanced understanding, you'll be equipped to make discerning choices about embracing AI tools in your pathology practice, leveraging their benefits while being aware of current limitations.
Stay tuned as we continue unpacking the transformative potential of digital pathology! Talk to you in chapter 4!
Have you started your digital pathology journey already?
Chances are that if you are reading this, you have. You have started it in a particular point of "digital pathology entry". Maybe it was tissue image analysis, virtual rounds on whole slide images or validation of a scanner.
My "digital pathology entry point" was tissue image analysis and only through the lens of this application have I learned what are the other digital pathology applications.
In this chapter you will learn about all the current applications of digital pathology.
Because of where I started my journey I will always be biased towards tissue image analysis and AI, but revisiting the overview provided in this chapter will help me have all the other applications in mind, when I continue my journey of promoting digital pathology in the scientific and medical community.
I hope it will be a good basis for you as well. So let's dive into the contents.
Here is what you will learn in Chapter 4 of the "Digital Pathology 101" book:
We'll start by looking at the clinical applications. This includes
the use of digital pathology for primary diagnosis in surgical pathology and cytopathology.
It facilitates more detailed examination and collaboration between pathologists. We'll also discuss
how telepathology enables remote intraoperative consultations and second opinion consults.
And we'll touch on the
education and training benefits, from resident teaching to continuing medical education.
Moving to research, we outline key applications like
quantitative image analysis,
AI and machine learning for predictive modeling, and
high throughput analysis.
collaboration, allowing researchers to simultaneously access images
large scale studies and validation across institutions.
In drug development, digital pathology enhances
preclinical histopathology and
biomarker evaluation
clinical trials by eliminating slide shipment and enabling centralized review.
Digital tools can also assist in developing companion diagnostics, although regulatory requirements here are still evolving.
While each application has its challenges, the overarching benefit of digital pathology is its
capacity to connect workflows,
enhance efficiency, and
open new possibilities across clinical, research, and drug development spheres.
Understanding the breadth of these applications provides a compass for navigating our own digital pathology journeys.
Enjoy this chapter and I'll talk to you in chapter 5.
Toxicologic pathology plays a critical role in drug development, yet its intersection with digital pathology is often overlooked. As a veterinary pathologist, I want to shed light on this important application.
This is Chapter 5 of the "Digital Pathology 101" book and in this chapter, you will learn how whole slide imaging is transforming preclinical trials. I'll explain key concepts like creating faithful digital replicas of glass slides. We'll also dive into validations needs for digital systems in regulated GLP studies.
Whole Slide Imaging Overview
I'll start by explaining whole slide imaging. This technology creates 2D digital copies of glass slides. The focus is not 3D images, but flat digital images containing the visual information pathologists need for analysis and reporting.
The FDA states these digital images can substitute for glass slides in preclinical toxicity studies, provided they meet requirements as "faithful digital replicas." With proper validations, digital slides enable remote assessments for multisite trials.
Validation and Documentation
For regulated GLP studies, replacing glass slides necessitates validating the whole digital pathology system. This includes IT infrastructure, scanners, software and more based on intended use.
Documentation is also key. Peer review statements should note the use of digital slides. Images must be securely stored and transmitted to maintain raw data integrity.
Conclusion
In closing, the FDA's guidance on digital pathology in preclinical trials signals an important step towards regulatory acceptance. Digital tools promise more controlled, efficient toxicity assessments, ultimately advancing drug development.
This chapter provides a compass for teams navigating digital pathology in regulated environments. Understanding principles of validation, security, and transparency allows us to realize the benefits while ensuring high standards.
You can find the original FDA guidance document this chapter is based on here:
As enthusiastic as the digital pathology community is about digital pathology, you are also grounded in reality and know that like every technology, digital pathology in parallel with its enormous benefits also has some drawbacks.
This is the second chapter of the "Digital Pathology 101" book and in this episode, I take a balanced look at the pros and cons of going digital.
Benefits
First, we highlight some of the key advantages:
enhanced accuracy and efficiency in diagnostics,
seamless collaboration opportunities,
advanced research capabilities,
integration with digital health systems, and
exciting educational prospects.
Real-world examples showcase how these benefits have been leveraged, like the successful implementation of digital workflows in a large US hospital and the application of digital pathology in pharmaceutical research.
Challenges
However, we acknowledge this new frontier has its challenges. Technological hurdles around
image quality,
data storage, and management are significant.
Navigating regulatory compliance and
acceptance within the pathology community will take time.
Cost-efficiency and specialized training remain issues to tackle.
Yet for each obstacle, there are solutions and opportunities to learn. Case studies teach us how institutions overcame cost barriers through long-term planning and addressed training needs via technology partnerships.
Constant advances promise more efficient scanning and sophisticated cloud storage on the horizon. And an evolving regulatory environment is steadily validating digital tools, albeit with a need to standardize guidelines.
While adoption is uneven, momentum is building towards digitization. By understanding the landscape and staying engaged with developments, pathologists can shape an ethical integration of these tools. Guided by both optimism and pragmatism, we can realize the potential of digital pathology to transform patient care.
The Future Landscape of Digital Pathology: Insights from Kate Lillard Tunstall, Indica Labs
What insights can be gained from a 12-year-long digital pathology journey as part of one of the leading tissue image analysis solution providers? A lot has happened in that time and Kate Lillard Tunstall, the Chief Scientific Officer at Indica Labs, shares her vast knowledge and experiences in this podcast episode. With a career spanning over a decade, Kate has witnessed firsthand the transformative shifts in the industry.
The Genesis of Halo:
Kate reminisced about the early days of Indica Labs and the birth of their core product, the Halo platform. Designed with precision and adaptability in mind, Halo has become a beacon in the digital pathology and tissue image analysis landscape. The platform's name, inspired by the unique halo-like appearance around cells visible during image analysis, showcases Indica Labs' attention to detail and their connection to the core of pathology.
Services Beyond Software:
Indica Labs isn't just about software; they offer a plethora of services tailored to the needs of the pharma sector and beyond. Their pharma services team, which has been around the longest, acts as a bridge between product development and real-world application. By serving as an internal customer, this team ensures that Indica Labs' offerings are not only cutting-edge but also practical and user-friendly.
Embracing the AI Revolution:
The integration of AI into digital pathology was a significant pivot point for Indica Labs. Kate candidly shared her initial skepticism towards AI's role in pathology. However, witnessing the profound impact of deep learning, especially in tissue classification, turned her into a believer. By 2017, Indica Labs had fully embraced AI, setting itself apart in the industry.
Looking Ahead:
Kate's vision for the future is a world where digital pathology isn't the exception but the norm. As more hospitals and health systems go digital, the volume of data will skyrocket. This data surge, combined with the power of AI, promises unprecedented advancements in pathology. Kate also shared lessons from Strata, a project aimed at merging image analysis data with patient data. Spoiler alert - the project was not pursued, but the challenges it faced underscored the importance of innovation adaptability and a deep understanding of customer needs in the world of digital pathology.
In this episode, based on a webinar I recently gave, I delve deep into the captivating world of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and its role in pathology.
Have you ever pondered how language models like ChatGPT are shaping our scientific understanding?
Or how they might redefine the way we process and interpret vast amounts of data?
Let's embark on this journey together as I share my insights and findings.
Key Points:
The ChatGPT Debate: Is ChatGPT a revolutionary tool or a looming data concern? I've heard the buzz in the digital pathology community, and I'm here to shed light on this debate.
Natural Language Processing (NLP): As a branch of AI, NLP is transforming industries. From tools like Google Translate to Siri, it's evident NLP's influence is vast. But how does it intertwine with pathology?
The Might of Large Language Models: Imagine models trained on data equivalent to streaming 4K movies non-stop for years! Their ability to predict and generate text opens up a world of possibilities.
The Transformer Architecture: It's the game-changer in NLP. It's not just about words; it's about discerning patterns and extracting logic from data.
Ethical Considerations: With the power of these models comes immense responsibility. I'll discuss the ethical dilemmas we face, especially in medicine and pathology.
The horizon of pathology is expanding with the advancements in AI and NLP. As I delve deeper into tools like ChatGPT, I believe it's imperative to stay updated and make informed decisions.
I prepared a book for you that is a great starting point: "Digital Pathology 101". You can grab the FREE PDF here.
Exploring Image Analysis Innovation with Trevor McKee of Pathomics.io
If you work in digital pathology, you likely rely on image analysis tools to gain insights from complex visual data. But how do you stay on top of the latest innovations in this fast-evolving field?
In this podcast episode together with Trevor McKee, CEO of Pathomics.io, we discuss innovation in image analysis using open source tools.
Pathomics takes an innovative approach by building image analysis solutions on open source platforms like QuPath. As Trevor explained, open source fosters collaboration, democratizes access, and drives rapid advances - key in a fast-moving field like digital pathology. This enables rapid progress that proprietary systems can't match.
Trevor's Career Journey
Trevor’s journey lead him from chemical engineering into pioneering image analysis, inspired by solving complex biological problems. His diverse experiences, from photon imaging at MIT to leading a core lab facility, fueled a passion for leveraging image analysis to extract insights. Today, in addition to leading Pathomics.io he is an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Toronto, and the Chief Scientific Officer at BioCache™ Lab Solutions.
Transparent and Reproducible Image Analysis & Explainable AI
A core ethos at Pathomics is making image analysis transparent and reproducible. through explainable AI techniques. Tools like XGBoost create models that are easier to interpret than "black-box" end-to-end neural networks. This builds trust and acceptance among the scientific community.
Streamlining Workflows
In addition, Pathomics develops solutions to streamline clients' image analysis workflows. For example, their Universal StarDist plugin makes it easy to run advanced models like StarDist in QuPath. Overall, the goal is to automate tedious tasks so you can concentrate on high-value decision making.
The Future of Image Analysis
Looking ahead, Trevor shared his vision for an AI-powered online platform enabling users to go seamlessly from images to insights. He also discussed open wikis to prevent redundant work and encourage knowledge sharing as the field rapidly evolves.
Trevor plans to launch it to catalogue digital pathology resources such as image analysis focused machine learning papers to prevent redundant research work and encourage knowledge sharing as the field rapidly evolves.. It aligns with his commitment to open science and community knowledge sharing.
Key Takeaways
I came away from our wide-ranging discussion with an insider’s view of the huge potential of image analysis to transform digital pathology. By leveraging open source tools and staying atop the latest advances, you can work smarter and unlock new capabilities.
So tune in to explore these innovations and more from a leader in the field! The episode provides practical insights you can apply to make the most of the newest techniques
What is the status of digital pathology in under-researched areas?
Is it even a thing? Can it be used? And in what capacity?
In this exciting episode with Dr. Talat Zehra, a trailblazing pathologist from Karachi, Pakistan, and a finalist on the Pathologist Power List we are answering all the above questions.
Dr. Zehra is a beacon of innovation and determination, reshaping the landscape of healthcare in her region.
🔍 Don’t Miss:
The Trailblazing Journey in Digital Pathology: Learn about Dr. Zehra's path to becoming a leader in digital pathology.
Addressing Challenges in Low-Resource Settings: Discover how digital pathology can overcome healthcare barriers.
Impact of Digital Tools in Developing Nations: Explore the transformative effect of technology in pathology.
The Future of Pathology: Insights into embracing AI and upcoming trends in the field.
Dr. Zehra takes us through her groundbreaking journey in digital pathology. She shares her evolution from using basic static imaging techniques to embracing AI-enhanced pathology, overcoming numerous challenges to pioneer advanced pathology technologies in Pakistan.
Listen as Dr. Zehra recounts her mission to elevate pathology education and technology. Her story is a powerful testament to how dedication and innovative thinking can break down global healthcare barriers, transforming the field of pathology with a blend of cutting-edge technology and unwavering perseverance.
This is the audio version of the first brand new DIGITAL PATHOLOGY NEWSLETTER. that should have already landed in your inbox if you are subscribed to my list.
Can pathology be truly digital without getting rid of glass?
In this episode with Dr. Richard Levenson, Professor and Vice Chair for Strategic Technologies at the Pathology Department of UC Davis, you’ll learn how close we are to “glassless pathology” and other digital innovations that could transform the field.
In this episode we cover:
Richard's Background
With an eclectic background spanning English literature, medical school, research, and even a tech startup, Richard brings unique expertise in digital pathology. At UC Davis, he's pioneering new microscopy methods like MUSE and FIBI that enable imaging thick tissue sections without slides or stains.
Pigeon Research
You may also know Richard for his famously viral research training pigeons to detect cancer in pathology slides. As he explains, “Pigeons have the skills to tell...tiny, tiny pattern differences” critical for pathological diagnosis. This project brought fun and creativity to his lab, even as they push new frontiers in glassless pathology.
Histolix and Glassless Pathology
His company Histolix is commercializing the glassless pathology approach, which Richard envisions bringing pathology on par with radiology’s direct-to-digital workflow. Their validation study already achieved 97% concordance between glassless and standard H&E reads. As Richard explains, these techniques “open up the possibility for rapid intraoperative diagnosis without freezing or sectioning.”
Digital Pathology Innovation
Combined with AI, innovations like these could automate workflow steps like staining, analysis, and prioritization. However, as their recent paper explores, AI does pose risks. Richard believes we must tread carefully, using human oversight and judgment to guide implementation. Still, he sees great potential to augment diagnostics with computational tools.
Conclusion
There’s no better guide to exploring these frontiers than Richard. Tune into the full conversation using the link above for an insightful tour of digital pathology’s cutting edge. Check Histolix for the latest on their research, and access key publications from Richard’s lab through the links below. Where will you help take pathology next?
This is the audio version of the second episode of the DIGITAL PATHOLOGY NEWSLETTER. that should have already landed in your inbox if you are on my digital pathology trailblazer list.
Today our special guest is Dr. Keith Kaplan, the creator of TissuePathology.com himself! The publisher of a platform that inspired the creation of Digital Pathology Place.
The Digital Pathology Trailblazer on the Web
Dr. Keith Kaplan, a surgical pathologist and a pivotal figure in the digital pathology community, has significantly contributed to the field with his groundbreaking website, tissuepathology.com. His passion and dedication have made his platform the first resource many turn to when searching for anything related to digital pathology.
From Traditional to Digital
Dr. Kaplan's unique journey in pathology began in Chicago, shaped by his military service and academic path at Northwestern University. His early exposure to telepathology and digital imaging during his military tenure set the stage for his impactful venture into digital pathology, initiating a transformative career trajectory.
TissuePathology.com: A Pioneering Platform
Dr. Kaplan launched tissuepathology.com, driven by his enthusiasm for utilizing the internet to disseminate knowledge. This platform quickly became a leading blog in the digital pathology realm, motivating others to establish their blogs and engage in the dynamic digital pathology conversation.
The Evolution of Digital Pathology
Keith's work with robotic telepathology and his involvement in deploying digital pathology solutions across various settings highlight the significant advancements in the field. His stories of early digital pathology efforts, including the deployment of systems for military applications and the subsequent adoption in civilian medical practice, showcase the progressive integration of technology in pathology.
Embracing Change: The Digital Shift
Recently Dr. Kaplan's practice transitioned to digital pathology for primary diagnosis. The integration of digital pathology has streamlined diagnostic processes, enabling faster and more efficient patient care despite initial reservations about moving away from traditional microscopy.
Future Directions and Ongoing Challenges
Looking ahead, the future of digital pathology will be impacted by AI and the ongoing pathology workforce shortage. Keith emphasizes the need for the pathology community to adapt and embrace new technologies while also addressing regulatory, ethical, and practical challenges.
Remote Digital Second Opinions: Pioneering Global Patient Care
Imagine a future where accessing world-class diagnostic expertise is just a click away for any patient, anywhere. In this episode you will learn how remote digital second opinions, a specialized application of digital pathology, can drive global adoption of digital pathology and significantly expand access to patient care.
Together with Dr. Raj Singh, founder of PathPresenter, we explore this cutting-edge approach that promises to transcend current digital pathology uses, making specialized medical consultations more accessible and efficient than ever before.
The Evolution of Digital Pathology
Digital pathology is rapidly becoming indispensable in modern healthcare. It equips pathologists with advanced digital tools and platforms, significantly boosting the speed and scope of diagnoses. Remote second opinion has a transformative role here. By leveraging digital slides and cloud-based infrastructure, pathologists can collaborate seamlessly across distances, breaking down geographical barriers like never before.
PathPresenter: Filling the Gaps in Pathology Workflow
Dr. Singh unfolds the story behind PathPresenter, highlighting its inception, mission, and the significant void it fills within the pathology field. PathPresenter is more than a platform; it's a catalyst for bridging educational and clinical gaps in pathology. It enables effortless sharing and collaborative analysis of cases among pathologists globally, fostering a vast network of professional expertise.
Embracing the Digital Shift: A Call to Action
The shift towards digital workflows is not merely a technological leap but a comprehensive strategy to enhance patient care, ensuring diagnoses are faster, more accurate, and widely accessible.
The transition to digital pathology is inevitable and it is happening quickly. Dr. Singh emphasizes the urgency for pathologists and healthcare institutions to adapt to these technological advances proactively. Proactive adoption will give us the power to decide how we want to implement digital pathology and what tools we want to use. If the pathology community does not take charge of this process it will be imposed on us by others. We don't want to figure out how to digitize slides in a panic mode when other specialties require it for patient care. We want to be in the drivers seat and guide the patient care according to the most up-to-date pathology expertise.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
In an era where healthcare demands are ever-increasing, and the need for specialized knowledge is paramount, digital pathology and remote second opinions present an unprecedented opportunity. This application democratizes access to expert diagnostics, ensuring patients, regardless of location, receive the best care possible.
It's more than an advancement; it's a new way of thinking about and delivering pathology services. Explore the vast possibilities remote second opinions offer and how they serve as a bridge to a more connected, efficient, and patient-centric healthcare system.
She did it all on her own, to keep serving her patients.
In this episode of Digital Pathology Podcast, host Dr. Aleksandra Zuraw is joined by Dr. Elizabeth Plocharczyk, a pathologist based in Ithaca, New York.
Beth shares her experience integrating digital pathology into her practice at Guthrie Cortland Medical Center and Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca, NY. Her journey offers insights into the practicalities of adopting digital tools in a community hospital setting.
🔥 The discussion highlights:
The factors that influenced Beth to start using digital pathology.
How digital tools have addressed challenges related to being a solo practitioner in a rural area.
The significance of compliance, internal validation, and administrative support in transitioning to digital pathology.
Suggestions for pathologists considering digital pathology, emphasizing iterative implementation and the importance of validation regardless of FDA approval status.
Dr. Plocharczyk's account underscores the role of digital pathology in enhancing the efficiency and flexibility of pathology practice, especially in geographically constrained settings.
The episode provides a REALISTIC OVERVIEW OF TRANSITIONING TO DIGITAL PATHOLOGY, including overcoming potential hurdles and leveraging technology for more effective pathology services.
Be sure to watch or listen to the full episode, as Dr. Plocharchyk reveals all the details about the equipment she used, the way she validated the system as well as her budget.
This episode is particularly relevant for pathologists and healthcare professionals exploring digital pathology's potential to improve practice management and patient care.
Questions that will be answered:
Who is Dr. Beth? What did her pathology practice look like before digital pathology?
When did Dr. Beth start using digital pathology?
What was impossible before going digital?
How did you determine which tools to use?
Why did you opt for Whole Slide Imaging, for frozen sections?
What was the budget and how did you know this is a reasonable budget?
How long have you had the equipment?
If budget was not a constraint, what would you add to your digital pathology arsenal?
Are you building your tools or seeking the help of a third-party provider?
What does the day-to-day practice with your digital pathology tools look like?
How have the community hospitals responded to the new cutting-edge technology?
What advice would you give to those starting with digital pathology?
Would digital pathology help you grow your practice?
THIS EPISODE RESOURCES:
Smart in Media PathoZoom Live View and Scan: 🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZA9HX3qSfk&list=UULF-bagVf7bqp3L0bAdNYaaQg
This week, the digital pathology community gathered at the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP) annual meeting in Baltimore. I had the incredible opportunity to attend, spurred by an invitation from Hamamatsu, known for their revolutionary digital pathology scanners like the FDA-cleared S360 and the new S20 model.
Key Takeaways from USCAP:
Innovative Partnerships and Technology: My agenda was filled with meetings that explored the latest in digital pathology. Key highlights include the launch of Hamamatsu's S20 scanner, Techcyte's technological advancements, and Proscia's FDA-approved AP Dx software. The collaboration between Hamamatsu and Agilent, utilizing Proscia's platform, underscored the collaborative spirit driving the field forward.
Community Engagement and Recognition: The warmth and recognition from the community were overwhelming. It reinforced the value of our work and the podcast, blending technical insights with personal stories that underline the human aspect of pathology.
Advancing Research and Education: A standout moment was learning about the World Tumor Registry initiative from Andrey Bychkov and Alyaksandr Nikitski. This initiative marks a significant step in making valuable pathological data more accessible for research and education, starting with a comprehensive collection of thyroid case slides.
Looking Forward: The USCAP meeting was a testament to the enthusiasm and innovation within digital pathology. Stay tuned for a detailed video blog covering the conference, highlighting the S20 and more, coming soon on YouTube!
USCAP BULLET UPDATES
Hamamatsu: Known for their FDA-cleared scanner, S360, and the newly launched S20 model.
Techcyte: Discussed their dynamic evolution and upcoming projects and their partnership with BD for cervical cytology AI based evaluation.
Corista: Learned about their software advancements, including voice recognition for improving pathologist workflows.
Smart In Media: Discussed their new camera for microscopes and grossing rooms.
Proscia: Celebrated their FDA clearance for the AP Dx software.
Epredia: Showcased their pathology equipment, including scanners like the P1000 with water immersion.
Aiforia: Highlighted their AI for image analysis, especially the GLP-compliant module for toxicologic pathology.
Indica Labs: Featured their pathologist cockpit setup and discussed their comprehensive software solutions.
PathPresenter: Met with the CEO, Patrick Myles, and discussed the company's rapid growth and services.
Pramana: Discussed their archival scanning services and their new benchtop scanner that runs algorithms during scanning.
Grundium: Showed off their new four-slide scanning Ocus and the cute one-slide Ocus scanner.
Andrej Bychkov to discuss his poster on the use of ChatGPT by pathologists and told me abou
What can digital pathology be used for? Is it just diagnostics or does it go beyond that?
In this webinar, based on chapter 4 of my “Digital Pathology 101” book
you will learn about:
The transformative impact of digital pathology on healthcare.
Strategies for integrating digital tools into clinical practice for improved outcomes.
The pivotal role of digital pathology in advancing drug development and personalized medicine.
Insights and reflections on the future directions of our profession.
Join me for a session filled with enthusiasm, knowledge, and a shared vision for the future of pathology. Together, we'll uncover digital pathology's possibilities for our field and the broader healthcare community.
Your engagement and curiosity drive this field forward, and I can't wait to share this time with you.
➡️ You know AI and Machine Learning are already part of the pathology workflow, but maybe you are not exactly sure which part of the workflow?
➡️ “AI” is still a bit of overhyped, fuzzy buzzword for you?
➡️ You would like to learn about how it can help pathologist and labs work smarter and patients get better care.
Then this webinar is for you!
This is the second part of the “Digital Pathology 101” webinar series, based on the “Digital Pathology 101” book, where Dr. Aleks Zuraw explains digital pathology and AI concepts.
This journey through Chapter 3 illuminates how image analysis, AI, and machine learning not only complement traditional pathology but propel it into new realms of precision and insight.
As we delve into the essence of tissue image analysis and the transformative role of AI and machine learning in modern pathology, you'll discover how these technologies augment diagnostic methods, enhance research, and redefine what's possible in our field.
From the basics of tissue image analysis to the advanced realms of computer vision and the pivotal role of quality control, this webinar bridges the gap between high-level computational domains and daily pathology practice.
What You'll Explore:
The foundational principles of image analysis, AI, and machine learning in pathology. The crucial balance between classical and AI-based approaches to tissue image analysis and their applications in both regulated and non-regulated environments. The importance of quality control in ensuring accurate, reliable results from AI-assisted analyses. An introduction to the key terminology of pathology informatics, demystifying the language that underpins digital pathology and AI. Who Should Attend: This webinar is tailored for:
🔴 pathologists,
🔴 researchers, and
🔴 healthcare professionals
who are eager to learn about and/or integrate AI and machine learning into their work.
Whether you're just starting or looking to deepen your expertise in digital pathology, this series offers invaluable insights into leveraging technology for enhanced diagnostic precision and patient care.
Date and Time: April 11, 2024 at 9:00 - 10:30 a.m., EST
Location: Online
AI is here, so let’s learn what it means for pathology
how can you leverage it for your work?
and how to navigate this new technology responsibly.
Navigating Ethical Challenges in AI-Powered Pathology
This episode is a webinar recording. It delves into the complex ethical considerations of incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) in pathology.
Dr. Zuraw begins by exploring the fundamentals of ethics and moves on to discuss the impact of AI in pathology, focusing on:
ethical dilemmas,
data diversity issues,
biases, and
the importance of maintaining professional and societal ethical standards in the wake of AI integration.
The session touches upon the ethical guidelines and regulatory frameworks guiding ethical decision-making in healthcare, alongside the role of regulatory agencies like the FDA.
It also highlights the significance of data diversity and mitigation strategies to address potential ethical pitfalls in AI utilization.
The webinar emphasizes the constant balance between advancing technology and ethical responsibility, underlining the need for transparency, governance, and accountability in deploying AI tools in pathology.
00:00 Introduction to Ethics in AI-Powered Pathology 00:30 Exploring the Ethical Dilemmas in Healthcare 00:36 Webinar Overview and Digital Pathology Insights 01:05 Defining Ethics and Its Importance in AI Pathology 02:05 Interactive Webinar Engagement and Audience Participation 03:25 Deep Dive into Ethics: Definitions and Applications 09:31 Ethical Considerations in Biomedical Research 10:34 Navigating Ethical Dilemmas: A Practical Example 13:57 Understanding Ethical Principles in Decision Making 17:14 AI Bias and Representation in Pathology 20:52 Frameworks and Guidelines for Ethical Oversight 25:02 AI Applications in Pathology: Ethical Perspectives 27:21 Exploring AI in Research and Its Capabilities 29:22 AI's Role in Medical Imaging and Diagnostics 33:11 Ethical Considerations and AI in Pathology 34:04 Addressing AI Challenges: Bias, Interpretability, and Security 44:26 AI as a Medical Device: Regulatory Perspectives and Future Directions 49:16 Concluding Thoughts and Audience Engagement
Swarm Learning in Digital Pathology: Revolutionizing Cancer Histopathology
Today on the Digital Pathology Podcast my guest is Oliver Saldana, the first author of a significant Nature Medicine paper published in 2022 on 'Swarm Learning for Decentralized Artificial Intelligence in Cancer Histopathology'.
Oliver shares his journey from Mangalore, India, to Germany, where he pursued his master's and PhD, delving into histopathology and decentralized AI under the supervision of Professor Dr. Jakob Nicolas Kather.
The discussion explores the concept of swarm learning as a novel method for deep learning in histopathology, its advantages over centralized learning including compliance with data protection laws like GDPR, and its potential for global collaboration in medical research without sharing sensitive data.
Oliver emphasizes swarm learning’s ease of setup and its alignment with the FAIR principles for scientific data management. The podcast aims to shed light on the groundbreaking work being done in the convergence of pathology and computer science, urging researchers and pathology centers to digitize their slides and contribute to global swarm learning projects.
00:00 Introduction to Swarm Learning and Its Applications 00:50 Intro 01:17 Meet Oliver Saldana: A Trailblazer in Decentralized AI for Cancer Histopathology 03:57 Exploring the Concept of Decentralized AI and Its Importance 06:52 Understanding Centralized vs. Decentralized Learning 08:47 The Revolutionary Approach of Swarm Learning 10:38 Blockchain's Role in Enhancing Histopathology with Swarm Learning 14:50 Addressing Preprocessing and Generalizability in Swarm Learning 21:26 Swarm Learning's Compliance with GDPR and Data Protection 25:05 Exploring Swarm Learning in Medical Data Analysis 25:34 Prototype Study and Real Cohorts in Swarm Learning 27:01 Comparing Swarm Learning with Centralized Models 27:44 The Role of Bare Metal Servers in Swarm Learning 30:01 Centralized Slide Repositories vs. Swarm Learning 44:11 Commercializing Swarm Learning Models 47:07 FAIR Principles and Swarm Learning 51:11 Global Ambitions and the Future of Swarm Learning
THIS EPISODES RESOURCES
📝 Swarm Learning for decentralized and confidential clinical machine learning 🔗 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03583-3
📝The FAIR Guiding Principles for scientific data management and stewardship 🔗https://www.nature.com/articles/sdata201618
🎧BIGPICTURE – THE LARGEST WHOLE SLIDE REPOSITORY FOR AI MODEL DEVELOPMENT IN PATHOLOGY. WHERE DO WE STAND AT MONTH 15/72? 🔗https://digitalpathologyplace.com/podcast/bigpicture-the-largest-whole-slide-repository-for-ai-model-development-in-pathology-where-do-we-stand-at-month-15-72/
In this episode Dr. Aleks Zuraw sits down with Mariano De Socarraz, President of CorePlus and member of the board of directors at the Digital Pathology Association.
CorePlus is an anatomic and clinical pathology lab in Puerto Rico that has fully embraced digital pathology and AI.
Key Takeaways
CorePlus converted to 100% whole slide imaging for primary diagnosis in January 2020, before the pandemic
They are pioneering the use of AI algorithms from companies like IBEX, AlpenGlow, Artera and TechCyte for cancer detection and precision pathology
Digital pathology increases efficiency by ~30% and enables benefits like remote reading, better ergonomics, and seamless sharing of cases
AI helps detect missed lesions, reduce interoperator variability, and eliminate false negatives in prostate biopsies
The future of pathology will involve predictive and prognostic information generated right from digital slides (histomics)
Making the Digital Transition
Mariano shares how CorePlus, as a technology-forward company, decided in 2018 to fully convert to digital pathology. They took 2019 to prepare, validate their processes following CAP guidelines, and get full buy-in from stakeholders. On January 1st, 2020 they were fully digital.
While acknowledging that glass slides have advantages in simplicity, Mariano believes the benefits of digital pathology for patients and pathologists are too great to ignore. His advice for other practices considering the digital transition:
Focus on re-engineering your workflows first before choosing scanners
Plan for IT redundancy to avoid any disruption
Get full buy-in from your team
Start focused and build successes in stages
Unlocking the Power of AI
After seeing a press release about UPMC and IBEX using AI to diagnose prostate cancer, CorePlus reached out to partner with them. They became the first site outside the UK to validate and implement IBEX's algorithm, running it on over 9500 cases as a QC tool.
The algorithm was able to alert pathologists to missed lesions in 73 patients that would have otherwise been false negatives. CorePlus has now moved the algorithm to the front-end to pre-screen and triage all prostate cases.
They are also partnering with other AI companies like AlpenGlow, Artera and TechCyte to bring these benefits to breast, GI, cytology and other subspecialties. Mariano sees AI generating predictive and prognostic insights right from slides.
The Future is Digital
Mariano believes medical education must quickly incorporate digital pathology and AI training to prepare the next generation of pathologists. The Digital Pathology Association is key in fostering collaboration to expand access, especially in underserved communities.
While going digital requires some reinvention, Mariano is excited to pioneer this space. He and CorePlus aim to be "missionaries" doing what's best for patients and the field of pathology.
In this episode, join me as I speak with Dr. Greg Rose, a retired radiologist who played a key role in the digital transformation of radiology. His journey offers valuable insights and lessons for the digital pathology community.
Key Points Discussed:
Initial Digital Adoption Challenges: Greg's experience with transitioning from analog to digital, focusing on the challenges related to change management and personality dynamics.
Digitization Process: How radiology moved from plain film to digital modalities like CT, MRI, and ultrasound, and the steps involved in digitizing these images
Technical and Political Hurdles: Navigating technical issues, workflow optimization, and dealing with political dynamics within medical institutions.
Managing Change: Effective strategies for involving senior staff and managing resistance to change.
AI in Radiology: Current applications of AI in radiology, its potential for pathology, and the legal implications of AI-assisted diagnostics.
Future Directions: Greg's vision for the future of digital health, including the development of tappable databases and the evolving roles of radiologists and pathologists.
Greg's insights into the digital transformation of radiology provide a valuable perspective for pathologists looking to embrace digital tools and techniques. His experience highlights the importance of managing change, leveraging AI, and improving diagnostic workflows.
This episode was originally recorded for "People of Pathology Podcast" and I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Dennis Strenk after I have published my book "Digital Pathology 101 - All you need to know to start and continue your digital pathology journey". This was my third appearance on his show, so I was really honored!
Our talk about digital pathology focused on the cultural shift and learning mentality essential for embracing rapid advancements in the field.
We highlighted the importance of open-mindedness, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the practical applications of AI to enhance diagnostic and workflow processes.
I also shared insights from my book, "Digital Pathology 101," which Dennis called "a comprehensive resource for beginners and experts". We covered key topics such as regulatory milestones, interoperability, and the role of toxicologic pathology.
CHAPTERS
earning Mentality (00:00): Exploring the mindset required for adapting to new technologies in digital pathology.
Welcome to the Digital Pathology Podcast (00:53)
The Journey of Writing Digital Pathology 101 (02:03): Sharing the process and inspiration behind writing the book.
Balancing Content for Different Readers (05:29): How to make the book accessible and valuable for newcomers and seasoned professionals.
Digital Pathology Milestones and Surprises (10:27): Highlighting significant achievements and unexpected developments in the field.
Interoperability in Digital Pathology (15:19): The importance of systems working together seamlessly.
Collaborating with Vendors (17:29): The benefits and challenges of working with technology providers.
The Cultural Shift in Digital Pathology (21:47): Emphasizing the need for a cultural change within the pathology community to embrace digital tools fully.
AI in Pathology: Narrow vs. General AI (27:17): Differentiating between specific AI applications and broader AI capabilities.
Companion Diagnostics and Personalized Medicine (35:34): The role of digital pathology in advancing personalized medicine.
The Role of Toxicologic Pathology (38:49): Discussing the role of toxicologic pathology in the digital age.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts (42:37): Wrapping up the discussion with reflections and future outlooks.
It was great to be Dennis' guest instead of the host this time, and be able to talk about digital pathology and the book to his audience. I liked this episode a lot and I hope you will to.
To learn digital pathology fast, be sure to check out my book "Digital Pathology 101." You can get your copy here: Digital Pathology 101 E-book.
How can you work remotely as a doctor? Clearly some specialties, give more possibilities to do that than others and pathology is one of them.
In this episode, I talk to Dr. Todd Randolph, a pathologist living the remote pathologist lifestyle.
Dr. Randolph shares his journey into digital pathology, including his background, the evolution of his practice, and the transition to remote work.
We discuss the benefits and challenges of digital pathology, including the importance of pathology and business experience, as well as insights into AI in pathology.
Dr. Randolph also provides advice for those looking to pursue a career in digital pathology and emphasizes the importance of taking initiative and staying informed about the field.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction to the Guest: Dr. Todd Randolph
01:05 Todd's Pathology Journey
02:04 Specialization in Pathology
03:55 Transition to Digital Pathology
05:01 Working with Lumea
11:44 Daily Life as a Remote Pathologist
13:36 Challenges and Benefits of Digital Pathology
20:37 Starting a Career in Digital Pathology
24:45 Early Days of Digital Pathology
26:17 Challenges in Digital Pathology Systems
27:46 Exploring Different Digital Pathology Systems
29:03 Impact of Digital Pathology on Work-Life Balance
Today I explain what happened with my "beginning of year initiative" to post an audio version of the Digital Pathology Newsletter sent out in an email form.
In a nutshell: I just stopped posting it, you will find out why in this episode.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction to DigiPath Digest 00:13 Challenges in Digital Pathology 01:31 Consistency and Sustainability 02:51 Abstract Review Process 04:25 Engaging with the Community 08:31 First Abstract: Molecular Classification of Breast Cancer 14:21 Second Abstract: AI in Breast Cancer Detection 20:53 AI-Assisted Pathology: Time Reduction and Sensitivity Improvement 21:36 Environmental Impact of Digital Pathology 22:23 Technical Difficulties and Viewer Interaction 24:30 French Authorities on Digital Pathology's Environmental Cost 28:45 Cephalometric Analysis: Digital vs. Manual Tracing 31:46 Exploring Undermined.ai for Scientific Research 43:05 Concluding Remarks and Future Plans
Clinical implementation of artificial-intelligence-assisted detection of breast cancer metastases in sentinel lymph nodes: the CONFIDENT-B single-center, non-randomized clinical trial (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38937624/)
The third episode of DigiPath Digest just took place live, but I have an audio version for the listeners.
DigiPath Digest is a review of digital pathology and IA publications abstract review that I host weekly as a live stream (on YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook etc.)
Exploring Foundation Models in Digital Pathology: Insights and Tools
In today's DigiPath Digest we talk about the foundation models in pathology. reviewing abstracts from two notable papers in Nature.
We discuss the high-level overview of these models, including Hamid Tizhoosh's insights on the vast data requirements for developing effective foundational models.
We also explore tools for literature research, comparing PubMed and Undermind.ai, and examine a useful children's book on artificial intelligence :)
The episode features audience interaction and offers updates on digital pathology trends, along with a personal anecdote on the nature of comparison based on a yoga class experience.
00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:16 Foundation Models in Pathology 00:33 Comparing Research Tools 01:03 Live Stream Interaction 01:12 Starting the Podcast 04:51 Foundation Models Explained 05:11 Research and Findings 06:34 Children's Book on AI 08:00 Deep Dive into Foundation Models 14:28 Case Studies and Examples 18:18 Discussion on Data and Models 21:00 Final Thoughts and Questions 26:24 Exploring ToxPath and Foundation Models 27:05 Introduction to Image Repositories 28:36 Using PubMed for Research 30:35 Exploring Undermined Tool 35:42 Comparing PubMed and Undermined 41:00 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
In this episode of DigiPath Digest, broadcasting from Poland, we delve into advances in digital pathology, including AI applications in bone marrow evaluation, classification of hematology cells, and the use of synthetic images for data augmentation. Additionally, we review a survey on pathologists' perceptions of ChatGPT and consider the feasibility of GANs for enhancing medical image analysis.
00:00 Welcome and Troubleshooting from Poland 00:21 Live Stream Challenges and Conference Details 02:21 Digital Pathology Podcast Introduction 02:51 Technical Difficulties and Audience Interaction 06:18 Exploring Digital Pathology Papers 06:43 Advances in Bone Marrow Evaluation 09:03 AI in Hematology and Pathology 12:28 Colorectal Cancer Prognostication 19:34 Pan-Cancer Xenograft Repository 25:16 ChatGPT and Pathology Survey 30:55 Synthetic Image Generation in Pathology 36:35 Upcoming Conferences and Courses 42:27 Closing Remarks and Future Plans
📄 Evaluation of CD3 and CD8 T-Cell Immunohistochemistry for Prognostication and Prediction of Benefit From Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Early-Stage Colorectal Cancer Within the QUASAR Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39083705/
📄 A Pan-Cancer Patient-Derived Xenograft Histology Image Repository with Genomic and Pathologic Annotations Enables Deep Learning Analysis A survey analysis of the adoption of large language models among pathologists https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39082680/
📄 Clinical-Grade Validation of an Autofluorescence Virtual Staining System with Human Experts and a Deep Learning System for Prostate Cancer
In this episode, we celebrate the 100th edition of the Digital Pathology Podcast! Thank you so much for being part of this journey! You are my Digital Pathology Trailblazers and I prepared a Digital Pathology Trailblazer manifesto for us!
This is the 9th edition of DigiPath Digest, and we are attracting more and more people to this series.
I am also working on a new YouTube digital pathology course and am offering the first 100 enrollments for free in exchange for feedback.
During today's episode, we cover several papers including research on AI for predicting post-operative liver metastasis, validation of AI-based breast cancer risk stratification models, AI applications in clinical microbiology, advances in parasitology diagnostics, AI for retinal assessment, and AI models for detecting microsatellite instability in colorectal cancer.
We also unveil a Digital Pathology Trailblazer manifesto emphasizing the ethos and dedication of the community.
Join us to stay current with literature, advancements, and insights from the fascinating world of digital pathology.
00:00 Introduction and Announcements 00:25 Live Podcast Proposal 01:40 Welcome and Audience Interaction 03:05 Updates and Apologies 06:11 YouTube Course Announcement 07:23 Technical Difficulties and Solutions 10:00 Digital Pathology Club and Vendor Sessions 11:28 First Research Paper Discussion 17:38 Second Research Paper Discussion 20:07 ER Positive and HER2 Negative Patient Subgroup Analysis 20:59 Independent Prognostic Value of StratiPath Breast Solution 21:59 Challenges and Benefits of Image-Based Stratification 22:58 Technical Difficulties and Live Stream Interaction 24:22 Introduction to Paper Number Three: AI in Clinical Microbiology 28:07 AI in Parasitology Screening and Diagnosis 29:30 Physics-Informed AI for Retinal Assessment 33:08 AI for Microsatellite Instability Detection in Colorectal Cancer 36:42 YouTube Course Announcement and Digital Pathology Trailblazer Manifesto 42:25 Celebrating the 100th Episode of the Digital Pathology Podcast
THE ABSTRACTS WE COVERED TODAY
📄 A novel model for predicting postoperative liver metastasis in R0 resected pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: integrating computational pathology and deep learning-radiomics. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39143624/
📄 Validation of an AI-based solution for breast cancer risk stratification using routine digital histopathology images https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39143539/
📄 Potential roles for artificial intelligence in clinical microbiology from improved diagnostic accuracy to solving the staffing crisis https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39136261/
📄No longer stuck in the past: new advances in artificial intelligence and molecular assays for parasitology screening and diagnosis https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39133581/
📄Physics-informed deep generative learning for quantitative assessment of the retina https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39127778/
📄Artificial Intelligence Models for the Detection of Microsatellite Instability from Whole-Slide Imaging of Colorectal Cancer https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39125481/
▶️ YouTube Version of this Episode https://www.youtube.com/live/Uwca5rzAtEA?si=Rd8r4LVM1utEKWdt
Today my guest is Danielle Brown, a fellow veterinary pathologist, the General Manager at Charles River Laboratories Reno, Nevada, and a pioneer in the use of image analysis for toxicologic pathology. Together, we explored the ever-evolving role of image analysis in preclinical studies and how it enhances, rather than replaces, the expertise of pathologists.
This conversation is a deep dive into the intersection of pathology and technology, showcasing how image analysis is revolutionizing preclinical research. We also discuss the future of this technology and its implications for the industry.
Join us as we navigate the intricacies of image analysis, share insights on the collaborative process between pathologists and image analysis scientists, and look ahead to the exciting advancements on the horizon.
Key Discussion Points:
[00:00:00] Introduction and Guest Welcome:
Introducing Danielle Brown and her significant contributions to the field of toxicologic pathology.
[00:02:46] The Role of Image Analysis in Preclinical Drug Development:
Why image analysis is crucial for accurate and efficient evaluations in preclinical studies.
[00:03:23] Challenges and Limitations of Visual Analysis:
Discussing the limitations of visual analysis and how image analysis overcomes these challenges.
[00:08:06] Pathologist and Image Analysis Collaboration:
The importance of collaboration between pathologists and image analysis scientists to ensure accurate data interpretation.
[00:13:00] Efficiency and Cost of Image Analysis vs. Pathologist Scoring:
Comparing the efficiency, cost, and consistency between image analysis and traditional pathologist scoring methods.
[00:15:18] Validation and Qualification of Image Analysis Algorithms:
The process of validating image analysis algorithms to ensure they meet regulatory standards in a GLP environment.
[00:19:54] GLP Compliance and Regulatory Considerations:
How Charles River ensures GLP compliance in their image analysis processes, making them suitable for regulatory submissions.
[00:23:27] Method Development for Specific Stains and Techniques:
Approaching projects that require new method development or specialized procedures.
[00:27:46] Future of Image Analysis in Pathology:
Danielle’s insights into the future of image analysis and how emerging technologies will shape the field.
This episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice for anyone involved in preclinical research or interested in the integration of image analysis in pathology. Danielle’s expertise and our discussion provide a roadmap for leveraging image analysis to increase evaluation efficiency and the granularity of your data.
Welcome to the 10th edition of the DigiPath Digest. Today, we discuss essential updates including the free availability of my 'Digital Pathology 101' book and the podcast now accessible on YouTube and YouTube Music. We dive deep into the weekly abstract, focusing on advancements such as sex-specific histopathological models for gliomas, leukocyte identification tools, and automated Gleason grading for prostate cancer. We also explore the potential of SciSpace, an AI tool for interacting with scientific papers. Interspersed with live interaction, we discuss the importance of consistency in histopathological grading and the challenges faced by pathologists. J
00:00 Introduction and Announcements 00:55 Live Interaction and Updates 05:01 Abstract Review: High-Grade Gliomas 11:45 Abstract Review: Leukocyte Identification Tool 13:24 Abstract Review: Gleason Grading in Prostate Cancer 16:31 Abstract Review: HER2 Low Prediction in Breast Cancer 24:01 Event Announcements and Closing Remarks
THIS EPISODES RESOURCES:
📰 Sexually dimorphic computational histopathological signatures prognostic of overall survival in high-grade gliomas via deep learning 🔗https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39178259/
In this episode of DigiPath Digest, we review the latest AI developments in digital pathology described in the literature. I explore how AI is pushing the boundaries of metastasis detection, breast cancer treatment predictions, lung cancer research trends, and the creation of pathology foundation models.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 – Welcome & Introduction
00:36 – Sentinel Node Metastasis Detection: A discussion on the development of an AI model that can detect sentinel node metastasis in melanoma with accuracy comparable to that of pathologists. The model aids in distinguishing between nodal metastasis and intra-nodal nevus, which is crucial for accurate staging in melanoma patients.
05:01 – Predicting Breast Cancer Treatment Response: A cross-modal AI model that integrates pathology images and ultrasound data is explored. This model is designed to predict a breast cancer patient’s response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, providing personalized insights that can guide treatment decisions.
09:59 – Global Trends in AI and Lung Cancer Pathology: This section reviews a bibliometric study that analyzed global research trends in AI-based digital pathology for lung cancer over the past two decades. The study highlights the need for increased collaboration between institutions and countries to further AI advancements in this area.
13:30 – Pathology Foundation Models: An in-depth look at a new foundation model in pathology, designed to generalize across various diagnostic tasks. This model shows significant promise in cancer diagnosis and prognosis prediction, outperforming traditional deep learning methods by addressing domain shifts across different datasets.
20:08 – Domain Shifts in AI Models: A brief discussion on the impact of domain shifts, such as variations in staining protocols and patient populations, on the performance of AI models in pathology. Strategies for mitigating these challenges are highlighted.
29:09 – Faster Annotation in Pathology: The episode concludes with a review of a study comparing manual and semi-automated annotation methods. The semi-automated approach significantly reduces the time required for annotating whole slide images, offering a more efficient solution for pathologists.
In this episode of DigiPath Digest you will learn about the development of AI models for glaucoma screening using fundus images, the use of AI in detecting metastatic deposits in colorectal cancer, and leveraging immunofluorescence data to reduce pathologist annotation requirements.
Dr. Aleks also invited two AI Co-hosts and shared personal reflections on AI's role in the industry and invites feedback from listeners on AI-generated content.
00:00 Introduction to the Livestream Disaster 00:24 AI to the Rescue: Enhancing Audio Quality 00:38 Meet the AI Co-Hosts 01:04 Welcome to the Digital Pathology Podcast 01:30 Technical Difficulties and Audience Interaction 02:49 Exploring AI in Veterinary Medicine 04:34 Hybrid Convolutional Neural Network for Glaucoma Screening 07:49 Model for Detecting Metastatic Deposits in Lymph Nodes 11:23 Leveraging Immunofluorescence Data for Lung Tumor Segmentation 18:05 AI-Generated Content and Future Plans 21:37 AI Co-Hosts Take Over 32:42 Conclusion and Audience Feedback
TODAY'S EPISODES RESOURCES 📰 Hybrid convolutional neural network optimized with an artificial algae algorithm for glaucoma screening using fundus images 🔗https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39301801/
📰 Automatic segmentation of esophageal cancer, metastatic lymph nodes and their adjacent structures in CTA images based on the UperNet Swin network 🔗https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39300922/
📰 Retrosynthetic analysis via deep learning to improve pilomatricoma diagnoses 🔗https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39298885/
📰 Obesity-Associated Breast Cancer: Analysis of Risk Factors and Current Clinical Evaluation 🔗 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39287872/
📰 Model for detecting metastatic deposits in lymph nodes of colorectal carcinoma on digital/ non-WSI images 🔗 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39285483/
📰 Leveraging immuno-fluorescence data to reduce pathologist annotation requirements in lung tumor segmentation using deep learning 🔗 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39284813/
📰 Globalization of a telepathology network with artificial intelligence applications in Colombia: The GLORIA program study protocol 🔗 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39280257/
📰 Sex differences in sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory variables in childhood asthma: A birth cohort study 🔗 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39019434/
In this episode, I celebrate another milestone of the Digital Pathology Place YouTube channel that was achieved thanks to you, my digital pathology trailblazer, reflecting on its journey since its inception in 2019.
I delve into the developments in digital pathology, focusing on the first video I ever published on YouTube about AI in pathology, highlighting trends, tools, and challenges in the field.
The video was based on a presentation I gave on the day I got engaged, so if you want to know the whole story listen in.
I explain key concepts like - artificial intelligence, - machine learning, and - deep learning, and discuss - How could AI eventually support pathology practice despite current challenges?
00:00 Welcome and AI Co-Host Feedback 00:19 YouTube Monetization Milestone 01:18 Reflecting on the First Video 02:47 Special Day and Personal Story 05:06 Introduction to AI in Pathology 07:26 AI Terminology and Concepts 13:17 Current Status of AI in Pathology 17:33 Challenges and Future of AI in Pathology 22:42 Conclusion and Call to Action 23:30 Updates and Future Plans
The episode explores the concept of blind review, a process designed to eliminate hindsight bias by allowing medical experts to evaluate cases without knowing the outcome or the hiring party.
Stephanie Franckewitz, JD, MBA, founder of Blind Review, discusses its application in legal cases, particularly for digital pathology and radiology. By providing an unbiased expert opinion, blind review aids the defense and plaintiff parties in court, increasing the chances of a favorable verdict.
Stephanie outlines her journey from a medical malpractice defense lawyer to starting Blind Review and highlights the potential for digital pathology to revolutionize the legal process, reduce bias, and improve case outcomes.
Collaboration with platforms like PathPresenter enables pathology slides to be reviewed efficiently and effectively within a legal context. This approach benefits both defendants and plaintiffs by ensuring objective evaluations and enhancing the credibility of expert testimonies in trials.
00:00 Introduction to Blind Review 01:19 The Role of Digital Pathology in Legal Cases 02:16 Stephanie Franke Reid's Journey 07:19 Challenges in Traditional Expert Reviews 10:09 Implementing Blind Review in Pathology 18:16 Collaboration with PathPresenter 25:43 Streamlining the Legal Process with Digital Pathology 26:51 Collaborative Tools for Legal Experts 27:20 Path Presenter: A Game Changer for Attorneys 28:17 Understanding Pathology for Juries 29:20 Streamlining Case Preparation with Path Presenter 31:54 Setting Up a Blind Review Process 35:38 The Gold Standard of Blind Review 41:53 Impact of Blind Review on Legal Outcomes 49:49 Empowering Legal and Medical Professionals 54:50 Conclusion and Call to Action - contact Stephanie
Good morning, digital pathology trailblazers! Welcome to another exciting exploration of digital pathology and AI. I’m thrilled to have our global community here with us today from so many different time zones. Before we dive into today's content, a quick note: my equipment is being a bit finicky, but that’s life in the digital world!
Integrating Image Analysis with AI
Let's kick off with a recap of some recent updates. Yesterday, I had the privilege of presenting to a mixed group at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. We discussed AI in image analysis, an essential tool bridging radiology and pathology as these fields rapidly evolve with new technologies like foundation models and large language models. A diverse audience—ranging from radiologists to pathologists—prompted me to adapt my presentation style on the spot. It was a dynamic discussion about the advancements in healthcare that shared perspectives from both sides.
Lymphovascular Invasion: A Case Study
Our first paper today focuses on a deep learning model for identifying lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in lung adenocarcinoma. This significant prognostic factor is crucial for advancing diagnostic consistency and reliability. Unlike broad foundation models, this work engages with dedicated image analysis applications targeting specific diagnostic challenges. The study demonstrated reduced pathologist evaluation time by nearly 17% and even more in complex cases, aligning with previous findings that AI enhances efficiency by around 21%.
AI Collaborations: Human and Veterinary Pathology
Next, we delve into a collaborative effort between human and veterinary pathologists, emphasizing the promise of AI integration in telepathology and digital pathology. These fields are converging to enhance information exchange, teaching, and research. I’m particularly excited about this paper due to my own veterinary pathology background and the potential it offers for both educational and clinical practices.
Spatial Profiling and Immuno-Oncology
We then journey into the intricate landscape of immuno-oncology with a study on PD-1 and PD-L1 in osteosarcoma microenvironments. Utilizing deep learning and multiplex fluorescence immunohistochemistry, researchers highlighted the spatial orchestration of these markers, providing insights into potential immunotherapeutic strategies. This work is an exemplar of how AI can illuminate complex biological landscapes, offering a path for future therapies.
Conclusion
Thank you all for joining this vibrant discussion. Whether you’re tuning in from early morning in Atlanta or late at night in Algeria, your engagement enriches our learning experience. Keep an eye out for more content and upcoming courses designed to unpack these groundbreaking developments in AI and digital pathology.
Until next time, keep blazing trails in digital pathology!
In this 14th episode of DigiPath Digest, I introduce a new course on AI in pathology, designed to help pathologists understand and confidently navigate AI technologies.
The episode focuses on various research studies that highlight the integration and effectiveness of AI in pathology, particularly in colorectal biopsies and kidney transplant biopsies, emphasizing the importance of seamless workflow integration.
You will also learn about challenges in manual assessment of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and HER2 expression in breast cancer. I advocate for more consistent and precise AI-driven approaches.
And there an opportunity for a discounted beta test of the new AI course.
00:00 Welcome to DigiPath Digest #14
00:24 New AI Course Announcement
01:51 Deep Learning in Colorectal Biopsies
09:17 AI in Kidney Biopsy Evaluation
16:12 Automated Scoring of Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes
24:22 AI for HER2 Expression in Breast Cancer
31:13 Conclusion and Course Details
THIS EPISODE'S RESOURCES
📰 A deep learning approach to case prioritisation of colorectal biopsies 🔗 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39360579/
📰 Automated scoring methods for quantitative interpretation of Tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in breast cancer: a systematic review 🔗 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39350098/
📰 Precision HER2: a comprehensive AI system for accurate and consistent evaluation of HER2 expression in invasive breast Cancer 🔗 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39350085/
▶️ YouTube Version of this Episode: 🔗 https://www.youtube.com/live/jkT8dTxelt4?si=xT6MNH7O4HuUnAN6
📕 Digital Pathology 101 E-book 🔗https://digitalpathology.club/digital-pathology-beginners-guide-notification
In this episode, Dr. Richard Fox shares how AI is transforming veterinary diagnostics. From his early career to the world of AI, Dr. Fox offers practical insights into the challenges, opportunities, and innovations that AI brings to pathology. Tune in to learn how AI is enhancing workflow efficiency, diagnostic precision, and the future direction of veterinary pathology.
[00:00] Introduction – Introduction to Dr. Richard Fox and his expertise in veterinary pathology and AI.
[03:00] Dr. Fox’s Career Journey – His shift from veterinary practice to pathology and AI.
[08:00] Entering the AI Space – How Dr. Fox became involved in AI, including his work with Aiforia.
[15:00] AI in Diagnostics – AI’s impact on diagnostic workflows and speeding up tasks.
[22:00] Quality Control in AI Models – Ensuring AI model accuracy and the importance of data consistency.
[28:00] AI Model Validation Challenges – Overcoming issues with model validation and retraining.
[35:00] Integrating AI into Workflows – How AI fits into veterinary pathology workflows and practical considerations.
[40:00] Future of AI in Pathology – Predictions on the future trends in AI and on-premises diagnostics.
[50:00] Common Questions About AI – Addressing concerns like AI replacing pathologists and optimizing workflows.
[58:00] Conclusion – Key takeaways and how to get started with AI in veterinary diagnostics.
In this episode, I had a fascinating conversation with Candice Chu, DVM, PhD, DACVP, about how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping veterinary diagnostics and education. Candice, a clinical pathologist and educator at Texas A&M, is using AI tools like ChatGPT to improve efficiency in clinical workflows and academic processes. We explored the practical applications of AI, ethical concerns, and its future impact on veterinary medicine.
Key Topics Discussed:
[00:00:00] Introduction to AI in Veterinary Education and Diagnostics I ask Candice how AI is changing veterinary education and diagnostics, and she explains how AI is boosting efficiency in both areas.
[00:01:00] Candice’s Journey in Veterinary Medicine Candice shares her journey from Taiwan to the U.S., her career in veterinary pathology, and becoming an educator at Texas A&M.
[00:05:00] Custom GPT Model for Clinical Pathology Candice describes the development of her custom GPT model for clinical pathology and its role in improving diagnostic efficiency.
[00:10:00] AI Tools for Academic and Clinical Efficiency We talk about how AI tools reduce repetitive tasks, giving professionals more time for critical thinking and decision-making.
[00:14:30] Ethical Concerns When Using AI in Veterinary Medicine Candice emphasizes the ethical responsibility of using AI, highlighting the importance of human judgment in AI-assisted diagnostics.
[00:20:00] How Veterinary Students Can Leverage AI Candice shares tips on how students can use AI to enhance learning, from simplifying research to generating case questions.
[00:29:00] AI’s Role in Academic Writing and Veterinary Practice We discuss how AI tools streamline academic writing and research, and how AI will continue shaping veterinary practice in the future.
[00:39:00] Critical Thinking and AI in Veterinary Medicine Candice and I conclude by discussing how critical thinking and professional responsibility are essential when using AI tools.
Candice highlighted the transformative role AI can play in both veterinary education and diagnostics, improving efficiency while requiring responsible use. While AI tools like ChatGPT offer many benefits, the human element—our critical thinking and judgment—remains crucial in ensuring accurate results and ethical practices.
This episode provides practical insights on how veterinary professionals, educators, and students can harness AI to streamline workflows and improve diagnostic accuracy. Be sure to listen to the full conversation for actionable tips on integrating AI into your practice!
What does the FDA jurisdiction for LDTs mean for the labs? Do they need to worry? How do they need to change the way they operate?
In this episode, I talk with Dr. Thomas Nifong, a clinical pathologist and VP of CDX operations at Acrovan Therapeutics, about the recent FDA ruling on laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) issued on May 6th, 2024. We discuss the implications of considering LDTs as medical devices, requiring regulation, and explore the authority of FDA versus CLIA. The conversation also covers historical contexts, practical implications of regulatory changes, and the roles of organizations like CAP, ACLA, and AMP in legal challenges against the FDA. We dive into the differences in requirements between CLIA and FDA, New York's alternative approval route, and potential impacts on lab operations and compliance. Join us for an insightful conversation filled with essential information for those in the field of molecular pathology.
00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement 00:24 FDA's New Rule on Laboratory Developed Tests (LDTs) 01:58 Recording the Podcast: A Casual Lunch Conversation 03:47 Understanding FDA's Authority Over Medical Devices 08:07 Disputes and Legal Challenges 12:03 Practical Implications and Industry Reactions 12:47 Understanding FDA's Focus: Safety and Efficacy 14:11 The Role of CMS and Medical Necessity 14:48 Congressional Involvement and Legal Authority 16:06 Impact on Labs and Future LDTs 18:33 Quality Systems and Compliance 20:16 Modifications and Software Updates 21:16 Conclusion and Next Steps
In this episode, I meet with Adam Cole, MD, and Jason Camilletti about how digital pathology transforms the field. Adam, the CEO of TruCore Pathology, and Jason, the CEO of PathNet Labs, share their unique journeys from the military to becoming digital pathology leaders. We explore their experiences, challenges, and innovations in integrating AI and digital tools into their practices.
Key Topics Discussed:
[00:00:00] Introduction to AI in Pathology
[00:01:00] Adam and Jason’s Military Backgrounds
[00:05:00] Adam’s Story of Becoming a Mobile Pathologist
[00:10:00] The Move to Fully Digital Pathology
[00:14:30] AI’s Role in Pathology
[00:20:00] Challenges in Implementing Digital Pathology
[00:25:00] Improving Patient Outcomes with Digital Tools
[00:29:00] Digital Pathology’s Impact on Patient Care
[00:38:00] Using AI for Quantifying Tumor Volume
[00:40:00] The Role of AI in Enhancing Diagnostics
Adam and Jason emphasize the immense potential of AI in pathology, but also the need for thoughtful integration. The future of pathology lies in using digital tools to provide faster, more accurate diagnoses while maintaining the critical human element. Tune in to learn how AI is reshaping the field and what it means for both pathologists and patients.
Welcome back to the DigiPath Digest, fresh from PathVision!
In this episode we will dive into the latest updates from the PathVision conference, covering trends in AI-driven diagnostics, the expansion of digital pathology into primary care, and the exciting new frontier of glassless pathology.
Join me as I recap the highlights of PathVision and the latest updates from the digital pathology literature, including discussions on:
AI Integration in Pathology: Learn how AI is advancing breast cancer diagnostics with tools like Ki-67 scoring models and multi-label AI for mammography, aimed at reducing unnecessary biopsies.
Global Health & Digital Microscopy: Hear about innovative projects from Sweden and Finland focused on AI-supported digital microscopy in primary healthcare labs, bringing accessible diagnostics to underserved areas.
Glassless Pathology with MUSE: Discover how glassless pathology is changing tissue imaging with MUSE (Microscopy with UV Surface Excitation), enabling diagnostics without the need for traditional glass slides. Dr. Zuraw breaks down what this means for future pathology workflows.
Plus, a shout-out to the vendors and partners making these advancements possible, and insights from Dr. Zuraw’s conversations with digital pathology trailblazers from around the globe, including new developments from Asia in digital pathology education and technology.
Timestamps:
[0:00] PathVision Highlights & Global Attendees
[5:15] AI in Diagnostic Workflows: Dr. Anil Parwani’s “Pathology Train Ride”
[12:30] Moving Beyond Narrow AI: Multimodal and Foundational Models
[18:45] Glassless Pathology: A New Frontier with MUSE Microscopy
[25:10] Integrating Digital Microscopy in Global Health Labs
[32:00] Breast Cancer Month: New Advances in AI for Diagnostics
[42:00] One Health & AI for Disease Detection in Primary Care
[48:30] Special Interviews: Jun Fukuoka and Asian Society of Digital Pathology
📝 AI-Supported Digital Microscopy Diagnostics in Primary Health Care Laboratories: Protocol for a Scoping Review 🔗https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39486020/
📝 Ki-67 evaluation using deep-learning model-assisted digital image analysis in breast cancer 🔗https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39478421/
📝A Multi-label Artificial Intelligence Approach for Improving Breast Cancer Detection With Mammographic Image Analysis 🔗https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39477432/
📝 A comprehensive evaluation of an artificial intelligence based digital pathology to monitor large-scale deworming programs against soil-transmitted helminths: A study protocol 🔗 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39466830/
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review to
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Nina Kottler, Associate Chief Medical Officer of Clinical AI at Radiology Partners, to dive into the evolving role of AI in radiology and how it can shape the future of digital pathology. Dr. Kottler shares her unique journey, expertise, and practical frameworks for implementing AI that enhance patient care and streamline diagnostic workflows.
Episode Highlights and Key Moments:
[00:00:45] Introduction to Dr. Nina Kottler Dr. Kottler discusses her background in applied mathematics, her journey into medicine, and her work at Radiology Partners, where she combines clinical practice with AI innovation.
[00:04:30] Breaking Down Complex Problems in AI Nina explains her approach to tackling large clinical challenges by breaking them down into manageable parts, a method that’s essential for developing and optimizing AI solutions.
[00:08:15] The Role of Data Orchestration We dig into “data orchestration” and how ensuring data is aligned with the right AI model is key to producing accurate and reliable clinical outcomes.
[00:11:45] Life Cycle of an Exam in Radiology Nina takes us through each step in the radiology workflow—from the initial patient consultation to reporting—and highlights how AI can streamline and enhance each phase.
[00:17:00] Evolution of AI Models in Healthcare We explore how AI has evolved, from early CAD systems to today’s multimodal and transformer models, and the exciting possibilities they bring to both radiology and pathology.
[00:23:20] Addressing the Lag in AI Adoption in Healthcare We discuss the challenge of keeping up with AI advancements while balancing patient safety, regulatory standards, and the need for reliability in clinical settings.
[00:27:50] Frameworks for Reducing Variability and Improving Accuracy Nina shares actionable frameworks that Radiology Partners uses to reduce variability and improve diagnostic precision—strategies that pathology can learn from.
[00:32:40] AI in Workflow Optimization: Where It Has Real Impact We discuss specific use cases in clinical workflows that show where AI can bring the greatest value, especially in enhancing patient care through optimized processes.
[00:36:50] The Power of Multimodal AI and Vision-Language Models Combining large language models with computer vision is moving diagnostics closer to comprehensive, AI-driven care—a promising development we explore in depth.
[00:42:15] The Future of Agents in AI We dive into the concept of “agents” in AI and how these systems may soon coordinate multiple models for more complex and precise clinical analyses.
[00:48:10] Where to Learn More about Dr. Nina Kottler’s Work Nina shares where you can catch her upcoming talks and presentations, plus resources for staying updated on the latest in AI for radiology and digital pathology.
If you're a pathologist, radiologist, or healthcare professional curious about AI’s impact on diagnostics, this episode is packed with practical guidance on integrating AI into clinical workflows. Join us as we explore how AI is shaping the future of radiology and pathology!
This episode features a conversation with Dr. Richard Doughty, Senior Medical Advisor at Aiforia Technologies, whose dual training in veterinary and medical pathology offers a unique perspective on the intersections of these fields. Together, we explore the challenges, opportunities, and innovations shaping digital pathology today.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
[00:00:00] Challenges in Pathology Today Discussing the pathologist shortage, delayed diagnoses, and how AI can address these issues.
[00:03:00] A Pathologist’s Dual Perspective Dr. Doughty shares his journey of becoming both a veterinary and medical pathologist, and what this means for pathology innovation.
[00:08:00] AI’s Role in Pathology Insights into how clinician-centric AI tools like Aiforia are designed to improve diagnostic workflows and outcomes.
[00:14:00] Addressing Challenges in AI Integration Strategies for overcoming hurdles like algorithm aversion, skill retention, and fostering trust in AI systems.
[00:22:00] Preparing Future Pathologists The importance of incorporating AI training into residency programs and creating a digitally savvy workforce.
[00:44:00] How to Implement AI Effectively Practical advice on selecting tools, collaborating with providers, and setting realistic goals for AI adoption in practice.
In today's DigiPath Digest, we delve into federated learning, a decentralized approach to AI training that preserves data privacy.
I discuss recent papers from PubMed and share my experiences experimenting with AI tools like Perplexity and Gemini for research efficiency.
You will also get updates on upcoming plans, including leveraging AI to share more podcasts with you.
Did I mention that this is the last livestream of the year as I head to Poland for Christmas? No More DigiPath Digests. We got to number 18 (I overestimated it a bit in the podcast), and you have been instrumental in continuing this series!
Big THANK YOU to all the digital Pathology #TRLBLZRS showing up every Friday morning for this!
Join me as we tackle the nuances of federated learning and its impact on healthcare and pathology.
00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:18 Today's Topic: Federated Learning 00:57 AI Tools and Updates 04:39 Federated Learning in Detail 08:03 Challenges and Benefits of Federated Learning 11:21 Exploring More Papers and Future Plans 22:53 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts
📝 Privacy-preserving federated data access and federated learning: Improved data sharing and AI model development in transfusion medicine 🔗https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39610333/
📝 A review on federated learning in computational pathology 🔗https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39582895/
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your podcast listening App!
Leveraging AI for Deep Insights into Tertiary Lymphoid Structures in Colorectal Cancer
In this episode of the Digital Pathology Podcast, I introduce 'Aleks + AI,' a new experimental series leveraging Google's Notebook LM to delve deeper into scientific literature.
Today's focus is on tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) and their potential to predict colorectal cancer prognosis. We discuss a study published in the October 2024 issue of Precision Clinical Medicine, exploring different methods of quantifying TLS using digital pathology and AI.
The findings highlight TLS density as a reliable predictor of survival and its correlation with immune responses and microsatellite instability. We also touch upon the potential for AI to streamline TLS analysis in clinical settings and the broader implications for personalized medicine. Join us as we dive into the intersection of digital pathology and computer science, featuring insights and commentary from my AI co-hosts, Hema and Toxy.
00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:45 Introducing the New AI Tool: Notebook LM by Google 01:11 Experimental Series: "Aleks + AI" 02:06 Deep Dive into Tertiary Lymphoid Structures (TLS) 03:18 Understanding TLS and Their Role in Colorectal Cancer 04:20 Quantification Methods and Key Findings 05:02 Implications for Personalized Medicine 09:02 AI in TLS Analysis and Future Prospects 11:00 CMS Classification and TLS Density 12:08 Study Limitations and Future Directions 15:40 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up 16:28 Feedback and Future Plans
📝 Comparative analysis of tertiary lymphoid structures for predicting survival of colorectal cancer: a whole-slide images-based study 🔗https://academic.oup.com/pcm/article/7/4/pbae030/7826772
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Giovanni Lujan, Nick Best, and Dr. Alae Kawam to explore a topic that hits close to home for many of us in digital pathology: why do so few pathologists attend digital pathology conferences? We delve into the barriers, opportunities, and actionable solutions that can help bridge this gap and drive the adoption of digital pathology across the profession.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
Startling Observations (00:02:00): Only 10% of attendees at some digital pathology conferences are pathologists. Why is this the case, and what does it mean for the future of the field?
Barriers to Adoption (00:04:00): From time constraints to a lack of institutional support, we unpack the key challenges stopping pathologists from going digital.
Mentorship and Collaboration (00:09:00): How mentorship programs can connect seasoned professionals with early-career pathologists to share knowledge and drive adoption.
The Role of the Next Generation (00:15:00): Insights into how young pathologists can lead the way with their enthusiasm and fresh perspectives.
Engaging the Skeptics (00:07:00): Strategies to introduce hesitant or resistant pathologists to the transformative power of digital tools.
Global Comparisons (00:10:00): What can the U.S. learn from Europe and Asia about accelerating digital pathology adoption?
Leveraging Leadership and Advocacy (00:19:00): How young pathologists can work with leadership to introduce digital pathology as a standard practice in their organizations.
The Impact of Digital Pathology on Work-Life Balance (00:20:00): Exploring how remote sign-outs and shorter turnaround times can enhance both patient care and pathologists’ quality of life.
Making Digital Pathology the Norm (00:24:00): Ideas for shifting digital pathology from a secondary option to the standard of care, addressing common fears and misconceptions.
Future Plans and Next Steps (00:28:00): A look at actionable steps for advancing digital pathology through podcasts, mentorship, and departmental advocacy.
Key Takeaways: This conversation isn’t just about identifying challenges—it’s about solutions. We discuss how collaboration, leadership, and individual responsibility can drive meaningful change in digital pathology. Whether you’re a seasoned pathologist or just starting your career, this episode offers inspiration and actionable ideas to make digital pathology a core part of the profession.
Connect With Us: Share your thoughts on why more pathologists aren’t attending these conferences. What’s holding them back, and what changes would you like to see in your department? Let’s keep this important conversation going!
In this episode of the Digital Pathology Podcast, you will learn about cytology's entrance into the digital pathology space, including successful AI and scanner implementations.
We cover AI's role in rapid on-site evaluation for lung cancer and share insights on a looming prostate cancer surge and how digital pathology and AI can help. I
You will also listen to a live demo of me using an AI assistant to decode a scientific paper in real-time. Tune in to stay on top of the digital pathology research in 2025!
00:00 Welcome to DigiPath Digest 00:53 Introduction and New Year Greetings 01:41 Diving into DigiPath Digest 01:44 AI in Respiratory Cytology 06:11 The Role of AI in Pathology 09:49 Multi-Omics and AI 11:28 Radiomics and Pathomics 14:44 Live Q&A and Future Plans 20:09 Prostate Cancer Tsunami 22:34 Thyroid Cytology and Live AI-Assistant demo 31:07 Conclusion and the option to send texts :)
In this episode, together with Dr. Aleksandra Zuraw you will review the latest digital pathology abstracts and gain insights into emerging trends in the field.
Discover the promising results of the PSMA PET study for prostate cancer imaging, explore the collaborative open-source platform HistioColAI for enhancing histology image annotation, and learn about AI's role in improving breast cancer detection.
Dive into topics such as the role of AI in renal histology classification, the innovative TrueCam framework for trustworthy AI in pathology, and the latest advancements in digital tools like QuPath for nephropathology.
Stay tuned to elevate your digital pathology game with cutting-edge research and practical applications.
00:00 Introduction to DigiPath Digest #21 01:22 PSMA PET in Prostate Cancer 06:49 HistoColAI: Collaborative Digital Histology 12:34 AI in Mammogram Analysis 17:21 Blood-Brain Barrier Organoids for Drug Testing 22:02 Trustworthy AI in Lung Cancer Diagnosis 30:09 QuPath for Nephropathology 35:30 AI Predicts Endocrine Response in Breast Cancer 40:04 Comprehensive Classification of Renal Histologic Types 45:02 Conclusion and Viewer Engagement
In this episode of the Digital Pathology Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Lija Joseph, a pathologist who is redefining patient care by making pathology more accessible and understandable. Traditionally, pathology has been a “behind-the-scenes” specialty, but Dr. Joseph is changing that by directly engaging with patients, showing them their pathology slides, and empowering them with knowledge about their diagnoses.
🔬 Key Topics Covered:
[00:00:00] Introduction to Patient-Centric Pathology
[00:01:00] Meet Dr. Lija Joseph: Her Background and Journey
[00:05:00] The Patient Who Inspired a New Approach
[00:10:00] Why Patients Need to See Their Pathology Images
[00:15:00] The Power of Knowledge: How Patient Awareness Improves Care
[00:20:00] Overcoming Barriers to Patient-Pathologist Communication
[00:25:00] How Digital Pathology Can Make This Scalable
[00:30:00] The Role of Technology in Breaking Down Access Barriers
[00:35:00] Convincing Healthcare Leadership to Support This Initiative
[00:40:00] How Digital Pathology Can Transform Patient Outcomes
🩺 Why This Matters: Most patients never meet their pathologists—but should they? Dr. Joseph believes so. She shares powerful stories of how patients who see their own slides gain a deeper understanding of their disease, make better treatment decisions, and experience greater peace of mind.
🚀 How Digital Pathology Can Change the Future: Dr. Joseph’s approach is innovative, but digital pathology can take it even further. Imagine a world where patients don’t have to visit a hospital to see their biopsy results but can access them remotely through secure digital platforms. This technology has the potential to bridge the gap between patients and their pathologists, improving care and trust.
🎧 Tune in now to learn how pathology can become more patient-focused!
In this episode of the Digital Pathology Podcast, I explore the evolving role of Generative vs. Non-Generative AI in Medical Diagnostics. As AI continues to transform the medical field, understanding the differences between these two approaches is essential for pathologists, researchers, and healthcare professionals.
We break down the key concepts behind generative AI models (like ChatGPT and image-generation tools) and non-generative AI models (such as traditional machine learning for diagnostic support). I also highlight a groundbreaking seven-part AI review series published in Modern Pathology, which serves as a crucial reference for integrating AI into pathology.
🔬 Key Topics Covered:
[00:00:00] Introduction and Technical Adjustments
[00:02:00] Why AI Education in Pathology Is More Important Than Ever
[00:04:00] Overview of the Modern Pathology AI Review Series
[00:06:00] Generative vs. Non-Generative AI: What’s the Difference?
[00:08:00] AI in Pathology: Current Applications and Future Potential
[00:12:00] Addressing Bias and Ethical Concerns in AI Models
[00:16:00] How AI Can Improve Accuracy in Medical Imaging
[00:20:00] The Role of Large Language Models (LLMs) in Pathology
[00:25:00] Multi-Modal AI: The Future of Integrating Imaging and Text Data
[00:30:00] Real-World Use Cases and AI-Driven Diagnostics
🩺 Why This Episode Matters: AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s here, and it’s shaping the future of digital pathology and medical diagnostics. In this episode, I break down how AI can enhance accuracy, improve workflow efficiency, and make diagnostic insights more accessible. However, AI models also come with risks, such as bias and interpretability challenges, which we need to address responsibly.
🚀 Take Action: AI in pathology isn’t just a passing trend—it’s a paradigm shift. Whether you're a pathologist, researcher, or lab professional, this episode will give you the knowledge you need to stay ahead in the era of AI-driven diagnostics.
🎧 Listen now and explore the future of AI in pathology!
👉 Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/live/Mq4Xwxoq_ok?si=o7bA90BlZff9iI_A
In this episode of the Digital Pathology Podcast, I take a deeper dive into Generative AI in Pathology, following the AI in Pathology series published by USCAP. AI has already begun transforming medical diagnostics, but what does Generative AI mean for digital pathology? From synthetic data generation to multimodal AI models, this episode explores the cutting edge of AI’s role in pathology and how it’s evolving to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and patient care.
🔬 Key Topics Covered:
[00:00:00] Introduction – The Evolution of AI in Pathology
[00:02:00] Acknowledging the Authors Behind the AI Review Series
[00:04:00] What Is Generative AI and Why Is It a Game-Changer?
[00:06:00] The Cambrian Explosion of Generative AI in Medicine
[00:08:00] Understanding Transformer Architectures and Cloud Computing
[00:12:00] ChatGPT, DALLE, and Multi-Modal AI: What’s Next?
[00:18:00] Synthetic Data Generation: A New Era for Pathology Training
[00:24:00] How AI Can Pass Medical Exams and Assist Pathologists
[00:30:00] Reducing Bias and Ethical Concerns in AI-Based Diagnostics
[00:38:00] Real-World Use Cases of AI-Generated Pathology Reports
[00:45:00] The Future of Generative AI in Digital Pathology
🩺 Why This Episode Matters: Generative AI is no longer just a concept—it’s already being used to train models, generate high-fidelity pathology images, and assist with diagnostic decision-making. However, challenges remain, from bias in AI models to the need for domain-specific training data. Understanding these factors is essential for pathologists and medical professionals who want to leverage AI responsibly in clinical practice.
🚀 What’s Next? This episode discusses not just what Generative AI is but how it can reshape pathology workflows and where we’re headed next. If you’re interested in how AI can improve efficiency and accuracy in diagnostics, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.
🎧 Listen now to explore the future of Generative AI in pathology!
👉 Watch or listen here: https://www.youtube.com/live/hRv9GmMWSjk?si=OEg8gafqRA2M_zlx
In this episode, we explore the primary challenge of implementing digital pathology globally—digitizing the analog.
A potential solution is direct-to-digital pathology, exemplified by the MUSE system by Muse Microscopy. This technology eliminates the need for glass slides and manual staining, offering rapid, non-destructive imaging of intact tissue samples.
You will learn about the advantages of Muse, including faster diagnostics, improved data fidelity, and broader accessibility, particularly in remote areas.
Detailed insights into the Muse workflow, imaging techniques, and potential applications in human and veterinary medicine are provided.
Challenges like adoption barriers and regulatory hurdles are also addressed. Join us as we explore how the Muse system is redefining diagnostic workflows and enhancing patient outcomes.
00:00 Introduction to Digital Pathology 00:18 The Hurdle of Digitizing Analog Pathology 00:26 Direct to Digital Pathology: A Game Changer 01:46 Introduction to Muse Microscopy 02:32 How Direct to Digital Pathology Works 03:10 Advantages of Direct to Digital Pathology 04:13 Understanding Muse Technology 05:26 The Digital Pathology Workflow with Muse 14:15 Challenges and Misconceptions 15:38 The Future of Pathology 16:31 Frequently Asked Questions 18:07 Conclusion and Additional Resources 18:54 Behind the Scenes and Final Thoughts
What if we could skip glass slides altogether and go straight from fresh tissue to digital image? Muse Microscopy's SmartPath device aims to do just that, capturing diagnostic-quality images directly from fresh tissue.
In this episode brought to you by Muse Microscopy, I sit down with Dr. Rao and Dr. Edwards to discuss the insights, challenges, and future of this groundbreaking technology.
We explore its regulatory ramifications, change management in veterinary and human pathology, and financial feasibility.
Tune in to learn why SmartPath could be a game-changer for both pathologists and patients.
00:00 Introduction to SmartPath Technology 00:54 Meet the Experts: Dr. Rao and Dr. Edwards 01:08 FDA Approval and Implementation Plans 01:35 Change Management in Pathology 01:56 Training Pathologists for SmartPath 03:48 Translational Tissue Banking and Clinical Applications 04:29 Impact on Breast Pathology 05:49 Pathologists' Reception and Adoption 14:33 Financial Viability and ROI 19:44 Conclusion and Future Prospects
How Can Digital Pathology Workflows Stay Compliant and Efficient?
In this episode of the Digital Pathology Podcast, I sit down with Scott Randall, Senior Application Specialist at Hamamatsu (Hamamatsu NanoZoomer), and Amanda Coble, Senior Director of Product for Proscia (Proscia’s Website), to discuss the critical role of compliance, interoperability, and efficiency in digital pathology workflows.
🔬 Key Topics Covered:
[00:00:00] Introduction and Initial Challenges in Digital Pathology Compliance
[00:01:00] Guest Introductions: Meet Scott and Amanda
[00:03:00] Hamamatsu’s FDA Clearance Journey: Lessons Learned
[00:06:00] Proscia’s Path to FDA Clearance and Partnering with Hamamatsu
[00:10:00] How Digital Pathology Systems Maintain Compliance
[00:14:00] The Advantages of Open Architecture in Digital Pathology
[00:18:00] Overcoming Challenges in Slide Scanning and Logistics
[00:22:00] Phases of Digital Pathology Adoption and Future-Proofing Labs
[00:27:00] The Role of AI and Automation in Digital Pathology Workflows
[00:32:00] Advice for Vendors Looking to Build Compliant Digital Pathology Solutions
[00:38:00] Final Thoughts: The Future of Interoperability and Compliance
🩺 Why This Episode Matters: Regulatory approval in digital pathology isn’t just about scanning slides—it’s about building a seamless, interoperable workflow that ensures accuracy, efficiency, and compliance. Hamamatsu and Proscia were among the first companies to successfully achieve FDA clearance for their integrated solutions, setting the stage for future innovations in AI-powered digital pathology.
In this episode of the Digital Pathology Podcast, I sit down with Matthew Nuñez, CEO of MUSE Microscopy, to discuss the groundbreaking advancements in direct-to-digital imaging in pathology. Traditional pathology workflows rely on glass slides, formalin fixation, and time-consuming processing steps. But what if we could skip the slide entirely and go straight to digital?
🔬 Key Topics Covered:
[00:00:00] The Challenges of Traditional Pathology Workflows
[00:01:00] Introducing MUSE: The First Direct-to-Digital Pathology Imager
[00:02:00] How MUSE Captures Whole Tissue Images Without Slides
[00:04:00] The Science Behind Microscopy with UV Light Surface Excitation
[00:06:00] Eliminating Tissue Processing Delays with Real-Time Imaging
[00:08:00] How Direct-to-Digital Imaging Improves Speed & Diagnostic Accuracy
[00:10:00] Applications in Pathology: From Clinical Use to Organ Transplants
[00:12:00] How MUSE Supports Remote and Mobile Pathology Clinics
[00:15:00] Bridging the Gap Between Veterinary and Human Pathology
[00:18:00] The Future of Pathology: Faster Diagnoses, Better Patient Care
🩺 Why This Episode Matters: Pathology is the gateway to diagnosis and patient care—but traditional workflows create delays, inefficiencies, and logistical challenges. With direct-to-digital imaging, we can eliminate glass slides, reduce errors, and enable real-time diagnostics. In this conversation, Matthew Nuñez explains how MUSE is transforming pathology by bringing AI-powered imaging directly to the tissue, skipping the slide, and making diagnoses faster than ever before.
🚀 What’s Next? This disruptive technology is paving the way for on-site pathology, remote consultations, and real-time patient interaction. If you're attending USCAP 2025, make sure to visit the MUSE booth and witness direct-to-digital imaging in action.
📢 Can't attend in person? Join the USCAP 2025 online experience on March 24, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM EST!
USCAP 2025 Daily Update – Day 1 Highlights from Dr. Aleksandra Zuraw
Welcome to the first live daily update from USCAP 2025, recorded straight from the conference floor by Dr. Aleksandra Zuraw, your host at Digital Pathology Place. In this episode, Aleks shares behind-the-scenes moments, exciting vendor previews, and key updates as the world’s largest pathology meeting kicks off.
🔬 Key Topics Covered:
[00:00:00] Welcome and What to Expect at USCAP 2025
[00:01:00] Media, Exhibitor, and Partner Badges – Working with MUSE, Techcyte & Roche
[00:02:00] Behind-the-Scenes Glimpse of Booth Setups and Event Logistics
[00:03:00] Highlights on Digital Pathology Representation Across Exhibitors
[00:04:00] MUSE Microscopy’s Role and Digital Imaging Focus at the Event
[00:06:00] Call for Podcast Guests, Poster Presenters, and Collaborators
[00:07:00] The App, Community Engagement, and First-Day Observations
[00:08:00] Final Thoughts and Invitation to Connect at USCAP
🩺 Why This Episode Matters: This isn’t just a recap—it’s a front-row pass to what’s shaping up to be the most exciting year yet for digital pathology at USCAP. From vendor collaborations to hands-on event involvement, you’ll hear how AI, whole-slide imaging, and direct-to-digital technology are being showcased and discussed across the floor.
USCAP 2025 Daily Update – Day 2 with Dr. Aleksandra Zuraw
Welcome back to the Digital Pathology Podcast live from USCAP 2025! On Day 2, I dive into the momentum building across the conference—covering major trends, tech insights, and how digital pathology is no longer just a topic, but a critical tool used to deliver sessions and share knowledge.
From vendor-driven presentations to real-world applications of AI and slide-free technology, this episode explores how digital workflows are being integrated into education, diagnostics, and collaboration on a global scale.
🔬 Key Topics Covered:
[00:00:00] Day 2 kickoff and society meetings at USCAP
[00:01:00] Exploring digital talks via touchscreen and vendor-driven sessions
[00:02:00] How digital tech is embedded into conference presentations
[00:03:00] Preview of the MUSE Exhibitor Seminar and QR registration
[00:04:00] Meet the MUSE Panelists: Dr. Richard Levenson, Dr. Rao, and Dr. Jeff Edwards
[00:06:00] Challenges of digital pathology integration in institutions
[00:08:00] Conversations about low-cost digital pathology solutions
[00:09:00] Asian Society of Digital Pathology and regional scanning hubs
[00:10:00] Updates from PathPresenter, PathAI, and Diaagnexia
[00:12:00] Poster hall builds, upcoming highlights, and short content plans
[00:13:00] Call for podcast guests and global collaboration in pathology
🩺 Why This Episode Matters: Day 2 at USCAP proves that digital pathology is more than a buzzword—it's essential infrastructure for modern diagnostics, education, and global collaboration. From slide-free imaging to low-resource adaptations, we discuss how technology is not only scaling workflows but also making pathology more accessible worldwide.
🎧 Listen to the full episode now and join me as we explore the digital heartbeat of USCAP 2025!
USCAP 2025 Daily Update – Day 3 Recap with Dr. Aleksandra Zuraw
In this episode of the Digital Pathology Podcast, I bring you Day 3 insights live from USCAP 2025—from moderating the MUSE panel on slide-free imaging to exploring regulatory strategies, tech innovations, and collaborations across the digital pathology community.
Get an inside look at how direct-to-digital pathology is transforming workflows, how companies like Techcyte are streamlining AI applications, and why regulatory strategy is as crucial as your scanning tech.
🔬 Key Topics Covered:
[00:00:00] Behind the scenes: MUSE panel highlights and audience turnout
[00:02:00] Slide-free imaging and concordance studies with Dr. Levenson and Dr. Rao
[00:03:00] Regulatory insights from Esther Abels on digital pathology FDA strategy
[00:05:00] Poster struggles, TikTok pathology posters, and missed moments
[00:07:00] Techcyte’s new Fusion platform and use across cellular imaging departments
[00:08:00] On-the-floor interviews with thought leaders and innovators
[00:10:00] Where does glassless imaging fit into your workflow?
[00:12:00] Collaboration opportunities and global connections at the MUSE booth
[00:13:00] Final thoughts on community, education, and digital pathology’s future
🩺 Why This Episode Matters: Day 3 was packed with inspiration, breakthroughs, and powerful conversations. Whether you’re navigating regulatory approval, researching AI integration, or figuring out how slide-free imaging fits into your diagnostic flow, this update offers real-world insight from experts shaping the future of pathology.
🎧 Listen now for highlights, reflections, and what’s next at USCAP 2025!
USCAP 2025 Daily Update – Day 4 with Dr. Aleksandra Zuraw
It’s the final day of USCAP 2025, and in this episode of the Digital Pathology Podcast, I’m sharing personal moments, spontaneous tech wins (and fails), and meaningful conversations with some of the most forward-thinking voices in digital pathology.
From running around with mics and misplaced tripods to interviewing Dr. Dry and Dr. Ozumura, this episode captures both the spirit of innovation and the real-world challenges of advancing digital workflows—especially in environments where regulations still lag behind.
[00:02:00] Meeting international listeners and the Korean heart selfie tip 💙
[00:03:00] MUSE Booth podcast recordings with Dr. Dry (UCLA)
[00:05:00] Change management, leadership, and building digital culture
[00:06:00] Dr. Ozumura's dual-mode pathology workflow in Japan
[00:08:00] Digital pathology for remote areas and island-based diagnostics
[00:10:00] What's new at vendor booths? Launching a vendor highlight roundup
[00:12:00] Interoperability, collaboration, and the growing presence of digital
[00:14:00] Reflections on the final day, networking, and the future of pathology
🩺 Why This Episode Matters: Digital pathology is no longer an add-on—it’s the foundation of future workflows. Day 4 at USCAP showed how global leaders, industry partners, and early adopters are all rallying behind the need for interoperability, real-time imaging, and inclusive innovation. Whether it’s Japan’s regulatory balancing act or the power of leadership at institutions like UCLA, this episode is packed with perspective.
🎧 Listen now and close out USCAP 2025 with insights, laughs, and inspiration.
In this episode of the Digital Pathology Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Yuri Nikiforov, founder of the World Tumor Registry, to explore how this global, open-access whole slide image platform contributes to cancer diagnostics, education, and research.
We talk about how the registry allows pathologists, researchers, and patients to view curated whole-slide images from around the world, starting with thyroid tumors and expanding into other cancers like breast and lung.
Learn how AI, molecular diagnostics, and editorial curation come together to build a truly global pathology tool that’s free for everyone, forever.
🧠 Key Highlights:
[00:00:00] What the World Tumor Registry is and why it was created
[00:03:00] How it works: curated, high-quality digital slides from across the globe
[00:06:00] Interactive diagnostic tools for pathologists and students
[00:10:00] Contributor guidelines and editorial board responsibilities
[00:15:00] Using the platform as a patient, clinician, or researcher
[00:24:00] The role of AI and future treatment-focused video add-ons
[00:34:00] Platform design, data standards, and free access for all
[00:42:00] Why this global database is a breakthrough for education and equity
🎧 Listen now to learn how you can contribute, explore rare cases, or use the platform to educate patients, students, and even yourself.
In this episode of the Digital Pathology Podcast, I explore the ethical and bias considerations in AI and machine learning through the lens of pathology. This is part six of our special seven-part series based on the landmark Modern Pathology review co-authored by the UPMC group, including Matthew Hanna, Liam Pantanowitz, and Hooman Rashidi.
From data bias and algorithmic bias to labeling, sampling, and representation issues, I break down where biases in AI can arise—and what we, as medical data stewards, must do to recognize, mitigate, and avoid them.
🔬 Key Topics Covered:
[00:00:00] Introduction and post-USCAP 2025 reflections
[00:03:00] Overview of AI and ethics paper from Modern Pathology
[00:06:00] What it means to be a “data steward” in pathology
[00:08:00] Core ethical principles: autonomy, beneficence, justice & more
[00:13:00] Types of bias in AI systems: data, sampling, algorithmic, labeling
[00:22:00] Temporal and feedback loop bias examples in pathology
[00:29:00] FDA involvement and global guidelines for ethical AI
[00:34:00] Bias mitigation: from diverse datasets to ongoing monitoring
[00:43:00] The FAIR principles for responsible data use
[00:49:00] AI development & reporting frameworks: QUADAS, CONSORT, STARD
🩺 Why This Episode Matters: If we want to deploy AI ethically and reliably in pathology, we must check our bias—not just once, but at every stage of AI development. This episode gives you practical tools, frameworks, and principles for building responsible AI workflows from the ground up.
🎧 Listen now and become a more conscious and capable digital pathology data steward.
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Hamid Tizhoosh, professor of biomedical informatics at the Mayo Clinic, to unravel what’s truly holding back AI in healthcare, especially pathology.
From the myths of general-purpose foundation models to the missing link of data availability, this conversation explores the technical and ethical realities of deploying AI that’s accurate, consistent, lean, fast, and robust.
📌 Topics We Cover
[00:01:00] The five essential qualities AI must meet to be usable
[00:04:00] Why foundation models often fail in histopathology
[00:08:00] What “graceful failure” looks like in AI for diagnostics
[00:13:00] The problem with data silos and missing clinical records
[00:22:00] Why specialization in AI models is non-negotiable
[00:34:00] The role of Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG)
[00:43:00] How transformer models broke away from brain mimicry
In this very first episode, I want to welcome you to the Digital Pathology Podcast. If you are interested in Digital Pathology and medical and scientific advancements, this is a place for you. Every other week we will be publishing interviews, discussion and journal club-type updates on the newest advancements in the field of digital pathology described in the literature.
For pathologists and scientists microscope does not seem like a luxury, it is an everyday tool necessary to do their jobs. It is not a cheap tool, but there is no option not to have one, especially if you work in a pathology or microbiology lab. Otherwise, you cannot do your job, you cannot help patients, and every day there are so many cases to diagnose.
But what to do, in places, where there are as many cases to diagnose, as many patients who need this diagnosis, but a lot fewer microscopes? This was the question Yuchun Ding asked himself. After quite some time as a computer scientist in the field of digital pathology, he decided to go beyond his science to help patients in the underserved areas directly. This is what his project (now an official trademark) X-wow is about.
Listen to his story and see how you can help as well.
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