GE venture licenses Olympus digital pathology patents

Olympus America has signed a licensing agreement with Omnyx--a joint venture of GE Healthcare and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pennsylvania--allowing Omnyx to access Olympus America patents in the field of virtual microscopy and digital pathology, to help develop solutions in the digital pathology field.

Virtual microscope slides allow professionals to review biopsies and other pathology images without handling traditional glass slides, and allow doctors to share high-resolution digital microscope images over the internet for remote pathology consultation, the Center Valley, Pa.-based company said. The patents involved in the licensing agreement cover software and technology related to creating, storing and delivering virtual microscopy images.

Virtual microscope slide technology also has the potential to aid hospitals in moving to comprehensive patient EMR systems–a transition that is already beginning in some areas of the world, according to Olympus.

Around the web

The new technology shows early potential to make a significant impact on imaging workflows and patient care. 

Richard Heller III, MD, RSNA board member and senior VP of policy at Radiology Partners, offers an overview of policies in Congress that are directly impacting imaging.
 

The two companies aim to improve patient access to high-quality MRI scans by combining their artificial intelligence capabilities.