Portsmouth, N.H.– Epredia has entered into an agreement with Canadian manufacturer Lab Improvements to offer automated pathology sample archiving systems to laboratories in the United States.
Epredia will add Lab Improvements’ BlockTracker and SlideTracker systems to its U.S. product portfolio. The systems are designed to automate the sorting, storage and retrieval of pathology tissue blocks and slides used in cancer diagnostics.
The companies said the technology could help pathology laboratories reduce manual filing, improve sample traceability and lower the risk of specimens being lost or misfiled.
BlockTracker and SlideTracker create digital and physical records showing where samples are stored and who has handled them throughout the pathology workflow, from the histology laboratory to off-site storage.
BlockTracker is designed to archive as many as 1,500 tissue blocks per hour and can process both current and historical specimens. SlideTracker can load 200 slides in less than five minutes and automatically organize them using barcode information.
The systems are intended for use by hospitals, academic medical centers, reference laboratories and cancer centers facing increasing testing volumes and staffing pressures.
Epredia said the technology can integrate with laboratory information systems and existing information technology infrastructure while continuing to use standard histology block and slide storage boxes.
The platform also includes a centralized database that allows laboratory staff to access sample records, analysis and reports from workstations throughout the facility.
Epredia said the systems can reduce the amount of storage space required and lower long-term costs associated with off-site specimen storage.
The archiving systems are also designed to work with other Epredia products, including SlideMate laser printers for pathology slides and cassettes.
“In cancer diagnostics, efficiency and confidence are both critical,” said Steven Lynum, president and CEO of Epredia. “With intelligent automated archiving, our customers don’t have to choose between throughput and efficiency. Epredia is offering pathology labs a way to reclaim their time and peace of mind, so they can better serve patients.”
