Brief overview
The Integrated Imager scans a ThinPrep Papanicolaou test slide in approximately 90 seconds, during which time each cell and cell cluster is analysed. Using optical density analysis, the Integrated Imager identifies diagnostically-relevant cells or cell groups and then stores the coordinates of 22 fields of interest. These 22 fields of interest are presented to the cytotechnologist for interpretation.
If no abnormality is identified by the cytotechnologist, the slide can be signed out as negative. A complete slide review is required if the checking cytotechnologist detects any suspicious cells in the 22 fields of view. This dual review process combines human interpretative expertise with the power of computer imaging.
The Integrated Imager can also be used as a conventional microscope, offering versatility and saving valuable laboratory space.
Hologic’s ThinPrep Integrated Imager system and Review Scope Manual Plus, an alternative Review Scope option for use with the ThinPrep Imager system, are available or are soon to be installed
in seven training school laboratories in preparation for potential roll out (Table 1).
Laboratory feedback
Mike Rowell, deputy director of the South West Regional Training Centre, says: “As a training centre we are always anxious to embrace new technology and possible developments in cervical screening. We are therefore delighted to have the opportunity for evaluation and to familiarise our staff with the Hologic ThinPrep Imager system. The system has recently been installed in Bristol and training centre staff are becoming familiar with the instruments in order to meet any possible future training needs.
“We will be working closely in the production of training material with the cytology laboratory at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, which has already undergone familiarisation with the ThinPrep Imager and in particular the Imager staining which is recommended by Hologic for the successful review
of cervical samples.”
The Doctors’ Laboratory (TDL) in London has been using Hologic’s ThinPrep Imager system since 2005. More than 120,000 ThinPrep Papanicolaou-stained samples have been imaged to date and the laboratory consistently achieves less than 48-hour turnaround.
St Thomas’ Hospital, London, has had the ThinPrep Imager system installed since 2007. Northampton General Hospital has used the system as an additional quality control (QC) tool since 2008 and in that time has imaged approximately 30,000 slides. Advanced practitioner Janice Palmer comments
that the ThinPrep Imager “excels at finding scanty single dyskaryotic cells and scanty small groups of dyskaryotic cells and improves productivity’’.
William Harvey Hospital in Kent has imaged approximately 3000 ThinPrep colposcopy samples since 2008 and Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton is currently being trained in the use of the Review Scope Manual Plus.
Evaluation report
In Scotland, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, Ninewells Hospital in Dundee and
Glasgow Royal Infirmary were all part of the national ThinPrep Imager feasibility study which evaluated in excess of 180,000 ThinPrep slides (www.pathologyscotland.org/cervical-cytology-review.htm).
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