Telepathology System Development and Implementation

Establishment of telepathology services has been, arguably, one of the more difficult technical challenges in telemedicine. Telepathology systems have three basic components: a video camera for capturing digital images of glass histopathology slides or cytopathology slides; a telecommunication system linking the digital imaging system with a distant consultant’s computer workstation; and the telepathologist’s video-enabled workstation. Since 1990, dozens of static-image telepathology systems and dynamic robotic telepathology systems have been developed and commercialized. Much of the innovation and testing of telepathology systems was taking place in Germany, France, and Japan, as well as the United States. Synchronous telepathology encounters, if instituted for use on a routine basis, would require the use of more expensive equipment, additional technical support at the distant site, and the use of sophisticated glass slide archiving warehouses. The road to success in telepathology system development is littered with brilliant innovations and impressive solutions to technical barriers that ultimately failed to take hold.