Ex vivo 3D scanning and specimen mapping in anatomic pathology

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Pathology

Background:

• Structured light three-dimensional (3D) scanning is widely used in industrial quality control.
• Its integration into medical disciplines, including anatomic pathology (AP), is a growing area of interest.
• Photorealistic 3D scans of tissue specimens are achievable with current technology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the potential application of 3D scanning in surgical pathology.
• To introduce a novel virtual inking and marking technique for pathology reports.
• To explore the utility of 3D specimen modeling in pathology education.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing structured light 3D scanning for fresh surgical specimens.
• Developing low-cost, technically simple scanning and post-processing methods.
• Implementing a novel post-scan virtual inking and marking technique for precise demarcation of tissue sectioning and tumor/margin status.
• Creating a mixed-media pathology report integrating 3D and conventional methods.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the feasibility of acquiring photorealistic 3D scans from surgical specimens.
• Successfully developed and displayed a sample mixed-media pathology report (3D specimen map).
• Showcased a virtual inking technique for detailed annotation of specimen features.

Conclusions:

• 3D scanning presents a valuable tool for surgical pathology, improving documentation and reporting.
• The developed virtual inking technique enhances the precision of pathology reports.
• 3D specimen modeling holds significant potential for didactic and experiential teaching of gross pathology.