APIII - Advancing Practice, Instruction & Innovation Through Informatics

 

Tomorrow of Pathology and First step of Tele-Pathology

Woo Young Jang, MD, MS (pathwyj@empal.com); Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Content: When clinicians send their samples to laboratory of pathology, it is far away from clinic in most cases. In this conventional system, they wasted too much time to get information from samples. For solving this problem, we decided to make a system. First we try to use digital camera for solving this problem, but there was difficult problem occurs to send big size images. So, we look out for another good method. Finally, we decided to use digital network camera that designed for intelligence use and combined pentium4 computer for control purpose. Now, we made a digital megapixel camera system, which is designed for general and high-end network applications that can be use in research field, especially tele-pathology. In conventional system, clinicians have to go laboratory of pathology to see their samples or they have to wait that they will get report from pathologist. However, using this system, they don't need to waste their time. With intranet or internet line, they can see and get useful information from their samples at the real time. Also clinicians and pathologist can exchange their opinions using messenger function or voice chatting function in system.

Technology: Digital megapixel camera, Olympus Bx51 microscope, Pentium 4 computer system (include voice chatting system), and high speed internet line (100Mbps) were used for construction of this system.

Design: This system was designed for speedy, accurate, clear vision real time consultation. We set this system at two different hospitals and analyze each condition. The digital camera with pentium4 system was installed at Olympus Bx51 microscope and connected high speed internet line(100Mbps). The control software was installed at digital megapixel camera system set and one general computer located at different floor room. Two pathologists seated themselves at each room and started real time consultation, using monitor and voice chatting system. One pathologist controlled microscope, the other pathologist ordered moving command and giving opinion about the consult case. When they reached to the point of agreement, they take still pictures.

Results: We can get the excellent real time response and quality of pictures (motion or still) with this system.

Conclusions: we can get some advantages as follows;

1) Real time preview and image capture

2) High resolution image quality

3) Multi user and multi camera support

4) Local network and internet access available

5) Discussion functions through messenger and voice chatting

But, some difficult problems are still left. So, more advanced and expanded tests will be followed for solving problems.