MacroPATH: FAQ

General

What is MacroPATH?

JMacroPATH is an image acquisition system for specimens in the grossing room. It is not an image management/manipulation system.

Computer Basics

What operating system does MacroPATH use?

Windows 2000 Professional. Thus, MacroPATH can easily be integrated into your existing computer network.

In what format are MacroPATH images saved?

In either JPEG, TIFF, or BMP.

Can MacroPATH images be opened with other software?

Yes. All of the image formats listed above are universal formats, and can be opened with any standard image viewing/editing software.

Can MacroPATH images be sent via e-mail?

Yes.

Are the annotations and measurements integrated into the image file?

Yes, they are embedded in the file. All of the annotations and measurements are therefore automatically transmitted along with the image, and can be viewed whenever the images are retrieved and opened.

What is the file size for each image stored by MacroPATH?

It depends on the format selected:

• JPEG = 100 – 300 kb
• TIFF = 1.2 – 1.3 MB
• BMP = 1 – 1.3 MB

Is there any limitation to the number of images that can be saved with MacroPATH?

Essentially, no. Data storage capacity of hard disks is increasing as technology continues to improve. The size of the hard disk provided with MacroPATH is 20 GB, equivalent to saving 100,000 images in JPEG format. If you consider storing 5 images per patient, the hard disk would be able to hold the data from 20,000 patients. Milestone also offers an optional CD burner, so that a backup copy of all images can be made at regular intervals.

In addition, images can be stored on any other computer/server connected to the network. Connection to an external USB hard drive is also available. Therefor, the storage capacity is practically infinite.

Is it possible to import images from MacroPATH into the final pathology report?

Yes, if the reporting system is capable of importing images. The importing will be done through the Import function of the reporting system.

Can MacroPATH be interfaced to the LIMS data management software of teh pathology department?

Yes. MacroPATH is network capable, and the images created with MacroPATH are 100% compatible. Any commercial software that can access images is suitable to retrieve and view MacroPATH images. If the pathology reporting system is image-capable, there will be no problem.

MacroPATH also produces a session file in each patient directory, detailing the Patient file ID, and opening and closing times for the patient file.

Milestone software specialists are available at any time to discuss the technical details of such connections with the LIMS or IT department people.

Operation

How is automatic measurement scaling achieved when taking images?

At the time of installation, after the camera height is fixed in position, a calibration is performed with a specially prepared ruler. If the height of the camera position is changed, this will affect the calibration measurements, so a recalibration will be needed.

How does MacroPATH match image files to the correct patient?

Patient files are created by entering the patient identifier code, be it a barcode or a manual keyboard entry. Once this is done, images are then saved under the patient file number code.

What is the maximum number of digits for the patient code?

16 digits, which is standard for barcodes.

Accessories

Can a barcode reader be used?

Yes. Milestone supplies an optional barcode reader (P/N 280105).

Is the touch screen resistant to Formalin?

Yes.

Is a waterproof and dustproof keyboard and mouse available?

Yes. (P/N 330031)

Can image data be archived on CD-ROM?

Yes. Milestone supplies an optional CD burner (P/N 330064).

Is it possible to have the MacroPATH unit trolley-mounted?

Yes, with the optional floor-type stand (P/N 330073). See the MacroPATH accessories page for details.

How many configurations for camera holding are possible?

There are three fixing options:

• Table top camera holder
• Camera holder for hood-type grossing station
• Camera holder for photographic stands

The Camera

Is it a digital or video camera?

It is an industrial video camera with a 14x optical zoom. Pathologists can either examine the whole specimen, or zoom in to the smallest detail. A frame grabber card installed in MacroPATH transforms the camera signal into digital still images. The camera also has the ability to compensate automatically for changes in lighting conditions.

What is the camera resolution?

The camera definition is 756 x 580 pixels. Thanks to the 14x optical zoom, the camera allows the operator to examine the specimen more closely than with the naked human eye.

Many digital cameras offer a higher resolution, so why not use one?

Digital cameras do not provide a 14x optical zoom. They are typically equipped with 3 to 5 times optical zoom, and any additional magnification is acquired through digital zoom—which is another way of saying that the digital camera "guesses" at the pixels that it cannot "see." This results in lower definition of the close-ups than with MacroPATH.

Digital camera technology is also limited in that they cannot (a) perform full zoom under software control, (b) operate under low light conditions, nor (c) use a serial communication connection to be able to recall the zoom position. In addition, specimen sizing is not yet possible with digital cameras. Milestone is keeping the evolution of digital cameras under close review, and as soon as the features required by the grossing application become available, we will consider implementation.

Is the camera manual or automatic focus?

It is automatic focus.

What is the maximum and minimum height at which the camera can be fixed?

Below is a table summarizing the maximum and minimum field of views as a function of the distance between the objective and the specimen: