Telepathology by the Internet

A new concept for telemicroscopy has recently been introduced using the Int ernet and conventional web browser, with Java support for microscope remote control as well as image transfer and discussion (http://amba.charite.de/t elemic/). The system has two major components: the telemicroscopy server, w hich is a computer with Internet access connected to the automatic microsco pe, and the telemicroscopy client, who remotely operates the microscope. Th is simplified telemicroscopy system allows any Internet user to become a co nsultant for telepathology without the acquisition of specialized hardware or software. For the inquirer seeking advice, however, this solution is sti ll very expensive, since it requires a fully automated microscope. The pres ent study describes a system that can be used for conventional microscopes, A video camera mounted on a microscope with a photo tube is connected to t he frame grabber of a PC. Java-based telemicroscopy software transforms the computer into an Internet server, which automatically distributes new micr oscope images, after manual operations, to all connected clients. Any Inter net user can access the web page of the server to become a telemicroscopy c lient. A Chat function allows for the online exchange of written test and a Discuss function enables the mouse button to display an arrow to all conne cted clients, which highlights distinct structures of the images. The syste m was optimized for simplicity, while presenting all features: that are nec essary to show and discuss difficult cases with any expert in the field who has Internet access, It offers new perspectives for telepathology and it i s envisaged that many pathologists and scientists will use this facility to connect their personal microscopes to the Internet, forming a network for teleconsultation. To foster this development, the software described in thi s paper is being made freely available. Hopefully, this development will pr omote communication between pathologists and may thus increase the quality of diagnosis. Information on inquiry and installation of the software is av ailable at the website mentioned above. Telemicroscopy sessions using the T elemic version for conventional microscopes can be scheduled by contacting the authors by c-mail (iver.petersen@charite.de). Copyright (C) 2000 John W iley & Sons, Ltd.