Optiscan unveils ‘digital pathology workhorse’ to speed up diagnostics

Optiscan has unveiled its first-in-class, next-generation microscopic medical imaging device InForm
The device is designed to revolutionise traditional analogue pathology workflows through digitalisation
InForm has potential to change the way pathology is practised, improving efficiency for greater speed to diagnosis

Special Report: Melbourne-headquartered Optiscan has unveiled its “revolutionary digital pathology workhorse”, poised to challenge the status quo of traditional analogue workflows in the sector to speed up diagnosis.

Optiscan (ASX:OIL) noted InForm is a first-in-class microscopic medical imaging device specifically designed to transform pathology by delivering real-time digital insights across the full workflow from the very point of contact with a tissue sample.

Designed and manufactured in Melbourne by Optiscan in partnership with industrial design firm Design + Industry, the company described InForm as representing “a new frontier in clinical pathology by propelling real-time digital insights to the forefront of
diagnostics”.

“Through InForm, Optiscan is reshaping traditional practices, enabling faster, more accurate decision-making, and supporting a seamless transition to digital pathology,” Optiscan said in its unveiling announcement to the market.

Optiscan’s digital pathology workhorse InForm. Source: Optiscan

Using Optiscan’s proprietary tech, InForm enables the whole pathology workflow to be digitalised.

Pathologists and pathology technicians can obtain immediate insights to improve diagnostics to enhance real-time decision-making for medical care teams.

Catching up to radiology for better patient care

CEO and managing director Dr Camile Farah said while tissue pathology has always been a critical component of modern medical practice, it had, until now, lagged radiology and diagnostic imaging in not adopting end-to-end digital workflows from patient to report.

“We start with a digital image, we finish with a digital report and the whole workflow is digital so by using our platform you can effectively remove the need for physical glass slides, chemicals and analogue workflows,” he said.

Farah said that with InForm Optiscan was proud to be taking a leading role in revolutionising pathology practice.

“InForm can enhance the entire pathology workflow from bedside to laboratory and beyond, by improving the speed, accuracy and flexibility of testing, analysis and diagnosis,” he said.

“It is designed to be the point-of-contact digital workhorse of the pathology laboratory, providing immediate insights to the pathologist, facilitating triaging of samples, immediate decision making and diagnostic potential, and a revolutionary change to the analogue workflows encountered in most pathology labs.”

Farah emphasised that InForm could transform not just how diseases were diagnosed but also care for patients – bringing precision medicine and personalised care closer than ever before.

He added it would mean patients won’t have to endure long, anxious waits for pathology results.

“Our digital first approach targets delivery of faster workflows with unparalleled diagnostic yield and high accuracy, when compared to physical glass slide digitisation, which adds more steps and cost to an already time-consuming and complicated process,” he said.

“Through innovations such as InForm, Optiscan’s stated intention to deliver faster, more
accurate, and more accessible diagnostics is becoming a reality.”

Targeting a growing global market

Anatomic pathology spans a wide range of tests on blood, tissue and other samples, providing essential insights into diseases, such as cancer.

Optiscan said the global anatomic pathology market was projected to reach US$53.27 billion by 2031, reflecting its critical role in modern medicine supporting up to 70% of all clinical decisions.

The InForm device has been designed specifically for ease of use across the full spectrum of anatomical pathology applications including:

Fresh single sample diagnoses in the operating room
Specimen margin assessment next to the operating room
Frozen section biopsy replacement for more immediate assessments during surgery
Routine laboratory assessments on fresh or fixed tissue generating digital microscopic images

Optiscan said InForm was DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine)-compliant and PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System)-enabled, allowing the device to be connected to hospital or laboratory IT systems like that of radiology platforms such as CT or MRI.

The company said this was a unique and intentional feature for a pathology device and is a key enabler for seamless adoption and integration of digital pathology into the wider healthcare space.

Addressing pathology shortages

Additionally, the device is designed to integrate with Optiscan’s cloud-based telepathology streaming platform, which allows remote consultation in real time anywhere in the world, and which is expected to be revealed by the company in mid-2025.

Optiscan said InForm could help with a shortage of pathologists in Australia and globally.

“A shortage of pathologists is such a big problem and pathologists just can’t keep up,” Farah said.

“By digitalising pathology you can outsource work to pathologists in different jurisdictions, creating centralised workflows, and getting expert opinions from anywhere in the world. The possibilities are endless.” he said.

This article was developed in collaboration with Optiscan, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.