• Sierra Colour Calibration

    Bringing colour fidelity to
    digital pathology devices

COLOUR CALIBRATION IN DIGITAL PATHOLOGY – ENSURING WSI SYSTEMS PRODUCE IMAGES THAT ACCURATELY REPRESENT THE STAIN USED 

Colour calibration and standardisation is complex. A significant degree of variation in colour exists between different whole slide imaging (WSI) systems. In addition, the method by which WSI systems observe colour is different from the way the human eye does, thus images need to be processed to interpret these differences. To address these challenges FFEI and partners have developed a means of correcting colour using a unique slide-based device.

BRINGING COLOUR FIDELITY TO DIGITAL PATHOLOGY DEVICES

Sierra seeks to ensure colour fidelity throughout the imaging process. The goal of this is to provide the pathologist looking at an image from their own lab or a lab across the globe, with the confidence that the colour they are viewing is representative of the true colour of the tissue sample and not digitally altered by the scanning process. This allows a pathologist to guarantee they are working from the ground-truth data.

Close up of digital pathology scanner

SIERRA COLOUR CALIBRATION DEVICE

The Sierra colour calibration slide for digital pathology devices utilises a bio-polymer identified by FFEI that mimics the behaviour of normal tissue when stained. This unique feature allows the creation of a set of coloured samples that have spectral transmittance that is near identical to stained tissue samples

THE DIFFERENCE COLOUR CALIBRATION MAKES

Colour calibration to device-specific ICC standards takes the fidelity of WSI scans to another level. Applying the RGB profile does improves the colour representation of the displayed scan, however it can’t compare to that of the ICC colour profile, which closely matches the original tissue as viewed down the microscope by eye, even when this is viewed with a different illumination source. 

CAPTURING THE COLOURS IN HISTOLOGY & CYTOLOGY

By using different stains at different concentrations, it is possible to produce the most commonly encountered colour intensities in histology and cytology.

FFEI life science digital pathology scan

DEPLOYMENT OPORTUNITIES FOR SIERRA COLOUR CALIBRATION SLIDE

Quite often colour calibration is discussed as an end of process activity.  In reality colour calibration can be performed at many stages of a WSI production and lifecycle.

Retro profiling

Manufacturers can colour calibrate their installed base as part of routine software upgrades.

Production

WSI device manufacturers can test and calibrate every scanner at the point of production. 

Technicians

Every lab armed with it’s own calibration slide and software can test and calibrate their scanners – checking them on a regular basis to ensure uniformity.

Field service engineers

Engineers have the ability to ensure their entire scanner portfolio remains in calibration alignment.

SPEAK TO A COLOUR MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST 

Looking to invest in Sierra colour calibration technology? Please get in touch – one of our  specialists would be happy to answer your questions.
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