Digital Pathology

Data driven Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in digital pathology, radiology, and dermatology is very promising. In specific cases, for example, Deep Learning (DL), even exceeding human performance. However, in the context of medicine it is important for a human expert to verify the outcome. Consequently, there is a need for transparency and re-traceability of state-of-the-art solutions to make them usable for ethical responsible medical decision support. Moreover, big data is required for training, covering a wide spectrum of a variety of human diseases in different organ systems. These data sets must meet top-quality and regulatory criteria and must be well annotated for ML at patient-, sample-, and image-level. Here biobanks play a central and future role in providing large collections of high-quality, well-annotated samples and data. The main challenges are finding biobanks containing ‘‘fit-for-purpose’’ samples, providing quality related meta-data, gaining access to standardized medical data and annotations, and mass scanning of whole slides including efficient data management solutions.

Digital Pathology: Historical Perspectives, Current Concepts & Future Applications provides the authoritative text in the digital pathology domain by combining the established expertise of leaders in this diverse arena with practical applications of this transformative platform while harnessing a content rich, interactive format. In detailing a cohesive narrative from a broad, global perspective the lessons learned from the past, the obstacles to digital pathology adoption that have been overcome and the challenges that remain for full realization of the potential that computational analysis affords, this text provides readers with the latest in where the field is heading as it seeks to unlock the potential of digital pathology by leveraging cutting edge technologies and innovative tools. Digital Pathology: Historical Perspectives, Current Concepts & Future Applications will be of great value to Pathologists including Translational Researchers and Informaticists, Pathology Trainees including Residents and Informatics Fellows, Healthcare CMIOs and CIOs, Bioimaging Engineers and Computer Vision Scientists, as well as Laboratory Information Technologists.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 15th European Congress on Digital Pathology, ECDP 2019, held in Warwick, UK in April 2019. The 21 full papers presented in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from 30 submissions. The congress theme will be Accelerating Clinical Deployment, with a focus on computational pathology and leveraging the power of big data and artificial intelligence to bridge the gaps between research, development, and clinical uptake.

This book provides up-to-date and practical knowledge in all aspects of whole slide imaging (WSI) by experts in the field. This includes a historical perspective on the evolution of this technology, technical aspects of making a great whole slide image, the various applications of whole slide imaging and future applications using WSI for computer-aided diagnosis The goal is to provide practical knowledge and address knowledge gaps in this emerging field. This book is unique because it addresses an emerging area in pathology for which currently there is only limited information about the practical aspects of deploying this technology. For example, there are no established selection criteria for choosing new scanners and a knowledge base with the key information. The authors of the various chapters have years of real-world experience in selecting and implementing WSI solutions in various aspects of pathology practice. This text also discusses practical tips and pearls to address the selection of a WSI vendor, technology details, implementing this technology and provide an overview of its everyday uses in all areas of pathology. Chapters include important information on how to integrate digital slides with laboratory information system and how to streamline the “digital workflow” with the intent of saving time, saving money, reducing errors, improving efficiency and accuracy, and ultimately benefiting patient outcomes. Whole Slide Imaging: Current Applications and Future Directions is designed to present a comprehensive and state-of the-art approach to WSI within the broad area of digital pathology. It aims to give the readers a look at WSI with a deeper lens and also envision the future of pathology imaging as it pertains to WSI and associated digital innovations.

The definitive, complete reference of digital pathology! An extraordinarily comprehensive and complete book for individuals with anything from minimal knowledge to deep, accomplished experience in digital pathology. Easy to read and plainly written, Digital Pathology examines the history and technological evolution of digital pathology, from the birth of scanning technology and telepathology to three-dimensional imaging on large multi-touch displays and computer aided diagnosis. A must-have book for anyone wishing to learn more about and work in this exciting and critical information environment including pathologists, laboratory professionals, students and any other medical practitioners with a particular interest in the history and future of digital pathology. It can also be a useful reference for anyone, medical or non-medical, who have an interest in learning more about the field. Digital pathology is truly a game changer, and this book is a crucial tool for anyone wishing to know more. Subjects discussed in depth include: Static digital imaging; basics and clinical use. Digital imaging processes. Telepathology. While slide imaging. Clinical applications of whole slide imaging. Digital pathology for educational, quality improvement, research and other settings. Forensic digital imaging.

Recent advances in computational algorithms, along with the advent of whole slide imaging as a platform for embedding artificial intelligence (AI), are transforming pattern recognition and image interpretation for diagnosis and prognosis. Yet most pathologists have just a passing knowledge of data mining, machine learning, and AI, and little exposure to the vast potential of these powerful new tools for medicine in general and pathology in particular. In Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning in Pathology, Dr. Stanley Cohen covers the nuts and bolts of all aspects of machine learning, up to and including AI, bringing familiarity and understanding to pathologists at all levels of experience. Focuses heavily on applications in medicine, especially pathology, making unfamiliar material accessible and avoiding complex mathematics whenever possible. Covers digital pathology as a platform for primary diagnosis and augmentation via deep learning, whole slide imaging for 2D and 3D analysis, and general principles of image analysis and deep learning. Discusses and explains recent accomplishments such as algorithms used to diagnose skin cancer from photographs, AI-based platforms developed to identify lesions of the retina, using computer vision to interpret electrocardiograms, identifying mitoses in cancer using learning algorithms vs. signal processing algorithms, and many more.

Digital pathology has experienced exponential growth, in terms of its technology and applications, since its inception just over a decade ago. Though it has yet to be approved for primary diagnostics, its values as a teaching tool, facilitator of second opinions and quality assurance reviews and research are becoming, if not already, undeniable. It also offers the hope of providing pathology consultant and educational services to under-served areas, including regions of the world that could not possibly sustain this level of services otherwise. And this is just the beginning, as its adoption by the also rapidly-emerging fields of medical systems biology and 3D tissue imaging indicate. This work describes how digital pathology not only has the potential to dramatically impact medical education and the delivery of health care, but also to exert an immensely positive influence worldwide, including in countries and regions that normally fail to benefit from such technological advances.

Multimedia information and digital images are increasingly important in the field of healthcare, but establishing an adequate technological framework for their management, and workable international standards to ensure compatibility and interoperability, are crucial if they are to be employed effectively. This book presents the main research efforts of EURO-TELEPATH, an initiative of the European Corporation in Science and Technology (COST) Action, IC0604. This program began in November 2007, and ran until November 2011. Its aim was to develop the standards and solutions necessary to represent, interpret, browse and retrieve digital medical images, while preserving their diagnostic quality for clinical purposes, education and research. At the end of the project, the most relevant researchers in the field of digital pathology – many of whom had been active members of EURO-TELEPATH – were asked to contribute to a book which would compile the main research efforts of the European COST Action consortium. The book is divided into six parts. The first is an introduction to the instruments and activities of COST. This is followed by sections dealing with: the state-of-the-art in pathology; pathology business modeling; standards and specifications in pathology; the analysis, processing, retrieval and management of images; technology and automation in pathology; and strategic developments and emerging research. As well as being a comprehensive overview of the IC0604 COST program, the book includes a selection of papers from American and Japanese researchers working in the same field.