Current Landscape of Advanced Imaging Tools for Pathology Diagnostics

Area of Science:

• Histopathology and advanced imaging technologies.

Background:

• Conventional histopathology workflows are slow, labor-intensive, and limited to 2D imaging.
• Emerging technologies aim to accelerate and enhance traditional histopathology processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review enabling technology platforms for modernizing histopathology.
• To discuss the potential impact of these advances on medical applications.

Main Methods:

• Slide-free microscopy (confocal, multiphoton, UV surface excitation, fluorescence-imitating brightfield).
• Multiomics profiling (imaging mass spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy).
• Artificial intelligence for virtual staining and workflow integration.

Main Results:

• Slide-free microscopy enables rapid imaging of fresh tissues, overcoming delays.
• New methods support intraoperative margin assessment and 3D histopathology.
• Multiomics provide detailed molecular maps, though clinical translation is pending.
• AI facilitates adoption by creating synthetic images and aiding workflows.

Conclusions:

• Emerging technologies have the potential to significantly modernize histopathology.
• AI-assisted workflows will ease the transition to new imaging modalities.
• Further validation of these advances may transform histopathology for 21st-century medicine.