The pathology field is undergoing a significant transformation. As imaging demands increase and workflows become more complex, the need for efficient, interoperable, and intelligent solutions has never been more critical. For physicians and hospital leaders navigating this shift, the goal is clear: streamline operations, integrate new technologies like AI, and ultimately, enhance diagnostic precision for better patient outcomes.
This is why the annual Pathology Visions Conference, hosted by the Digital Pathology Association (DPA), is such a vital event. It brings together the brightest minds and most innovative companies to explore the future of pathology. That’s also why Merge will be attending Pathology Visions 2025: to connect with industry leaders and share our commitment to, and vision for, advancing the digital pathology frontier.
The challenge: Bridging the digital divide in pathology
Pathology is at a pivotal moment. The transition from glass slides to whole slide imaging (WSI) has opened up immense possibilities, but it has also introduced new challenges. Laboratories and hospitals often grapple with disparate systems, proprietary data formats, and a lack of standardization, which can create significant roadblocks.
Key pain points for pathology leaders today include:
- Interoperability hurdles: Integrating different scanners, laboratory information systems (LIS), and picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) can be a complex and frustrating process. A lack of seamless communication between devices hinders workflow efficiency.
- Data consistency: For AI algorithms to deliver reliable and accurate insights, they require standardized, high-quality data. Inconsistent color representation and metadata across different scanning systems can compromise the integrity of AI-driven diagnostics.
- Scalability concerns: As institutions expand their digital pathology operations, they need solutions that can grow with them. A platform that isn't scalable can quickly become a bottleneck, limiting the potential of an enterprise-wide imaging strategy.
These challenges directly impact a clinician's ability to work efficiently and confidently. Pathologists deserve tools that remove friction, not create it. The path forward requires a foundation built on proven standards that enable true interoperability and data consistency.
DICOM sets the standard for digital pathology
For decades, the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard has been the bedrock of interoperability in medical imaging specialties like radiology and cardiology. In fact, it’s a standard that Merge helped to co-found. DICOM provides a universal framework for storing, transmitting, and viewing medical images and their associated data, ensuring that information flows seamlessly between different vendors' systems.
As digital pathology matures, adopting DICOM will be essential. Supplement 145, the DICOM standard for WSI, addresses the unique needs of pathology by defining how these large and complex images should be handled. By embracing DICOM, the pathology community can unlock the same benefits that other imaging disciplines have enjoyed for years.
- True vendor neutrality: Break free from proprietary silos and build an imaging ecosystem where scanners, software, and archives from different manufacturers work together effortlessly.
- AI-ready data: DICOM provides a consistent structure for imaging data, including crucial metadata and standardized color profiles. This creates the high-quality, reliable datasets that are necessary for training and deploying effective AI models.
- Enterprise-wide integration: DICOM enables pathology images to be integrated into a hospital's central enterprise imaging archive, allowing pathologists to view slides alongside a patient’s other relevant medical images and records. This holistic view is fundamental to collaborative, patient-centered care.
Merge's commitment to digital pathology innovation
At Merge, we understand that technology should empower clinicians, not complicate their work. Our long-standing expertise in medical imaging interoperability is central to our vision for digital pathology. We believe that a standards-based approach is the only way to build a sustainable and scalable digital future for the field.
This is where the Merge DICOM Toolkit plays a crucial role. For developers and device manufacturers creating the next generation of pathology solutions, our toolkit provides the essential building blocks for robust DICOM compliance. By leveraging the Merge DICOM Toolkit, innovators can:
- Accelerate development: Drastically reduce the time and resources needed to implement complex DICOM connectivity, allowing teams to focus on their core clinical innovations.
- Ensure interoperability: Build solutions that are inherently compatible with the broader medical imaging ecosystem, ensuring seamless integration into hospital workflows from day one.
- Future-proof technology: Adhering to the DICOM standard ensures that digital pathology solutions will remain relevant and functional even as the landscape continues to evolve.
Our commitment extends beyond just providing tools. We are dedicated to collaborating with the pathology community to solve real-world problems. By championing standards and providing the technology to implement them, we aim to help imaging organizations streamline their pathology workflows, enhance diagnostic accuracy, and pave the way for a new era of AI-enabled diagnostics.
Advancing digital pathology at Pathology Visions 2025
The Pathology Visions Conference is a unique opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping our industry. We believe the conversations there will help define the next steps for digital pathology. And we are eager to hear from you: the physicians, IT leaders, and laboratory managers who are on the front lines. We want to understand your challenges, learn about your goals, and explore how we can work together to empower clinical precision through seamless, standards-based digital pathology.
If you are attending Pathology Visions 2025, we invite you to connect with us. Look for us in our Merge/DICOM t-shirts – we hope to see you there!
