Slide-free, point-of-care imaging of core needle biopsies for rapid histologic assessment

Histological evaluation of core needle biopsies (CNB) using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) slides remains slow and resource-intensive, with up to 15% of samples identified as inadequate only after post-processing review. We introduce CoreLab, a compact optical imaging system designed for real-time, slide-free imaging of fresh CNB specimens using fluorescence-imitating brightfield imaging (FIBI). CoreLab integrates tissue collection, rapid H&E staining, and optical imaging into a single workflow, allowing intact biopsy cores to be imaged within five minutes of acquisition without sectioning, compression, or glass mounting, while preserving specimen integrity and supporting downstream histology compatibility. Preliminary FIBI imaging across multiple tissue types, including breast, liver, kidney, and adipose tissue, showed high structural correspondence with standard histology. CoreLab demonstrates the feasibility of intra-procedural, slide-free visualization of intact biopsy specimens. It has the potential to support immediate biopsy adequacy assessment, and provide preliminary histological insight, thereby reducing the need for repeat procedures and accelerating clinical decision-making.