Growing Use of High-Resolution Telepathology

High-resolution telepathology is proving useful for improving healthcare in remote rural areas, for linking dispersed healthcare workers, for applications involving the participation of dispersed doctors, and for situations where time is critical. As a result, the use of telepathology is rapidly growing.

One company noted for its contribution to high-resolution telepathology is Trestle Corp. (Irvine, CA, USA; www.trestlecorp.com). Trestle has developed patented microscopy, called MedMicro, that allows multiple doctors or scientists to remotely view, navigate, and share high-fidelity microscope images at submicron resolution over standard Internet connections in real-time. Trestle has also developed a tissue-imaging product, called MedScan, that performs high-speed, whole-glass slide digitization. MedScan creates digital slides that enable pathologists to access entire tissue samples at submicron resolution in digital format.

The company's telepathology products are being used to improve healthcare in remote rural areas, in linked laboratory systems, and in many U.S. hospital systems. The U.S. Army is also using Trestle's telepathology products. The company is now introducing its products in Europe.

MedMicro was recently selected by Dynacare Kasper Medical Laboratories (Edmonton, Canada) to provide crucial telepathology services to underserved areas across rural Canada. The goal was to enable Dynacare's clients in non-urban, less-populated regions to link to Dynacare's 18 pathologists in real-time consultation. Dynacare provides laboratory services to regional health authorities, industrial corporations, independent laboratories, and research groups.

"With MedMicro, the pathology experts at our Edmonton laboratory can remotely examine patients' slides, navigate, and adjust the images and provide live consultation to the medical professionals onsite,” explained Thomas Higa, M.D., president of Dynacare Kasper. "With this solution in place, all of our clients, even those in remote areas, will have virtual access to a full staff of highly trained pathologists with expertise in a wide range of disciplines.”




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Trestle Corp.