Realtime Telepathology Imaging System

I’m an old pathologist who grew up in the era when 35 mm camera images were the way microscopic images were shown at conference. And we didn’t have the Internet, period. Microscopic images were mostly viewed with a multiple headed microscope, the images were live and you were usually knocking elbows or knees with other pathologists sitting next to you, viewing the same images. Everyone knows times have greatly changed with digital pathology. But how can it help you? Ever wondered how you can change your daily practice?

Realtime Telepathology Imaging System (RTIS) is a system developed by Rob Meyer of Meyer Instruments in Houston Texas. When Rob showed me this set up I couldn’t believe my eyes. As soon as I tried it out without any training, I realized the RTIS had the potential for changing the way pathologists perform on a daily basis.

The first thing you learn is that there is no software and no software updates. It is Internet based and with broad band connections, you can display 1920 x 1280 video images, LIVE, anywhere in the world. Not long after my RTIS was set up, I was simultaneously broadcasting live video images to the east and west coasts, AT THE SAME TIME. Another time I showed images of a tumor diagnosed at our hospital to my colleague at another hospital where a different biopsy had been taken the week before. He had the different biopsy on his microscope and my broadcast video images on his monitor. It was easy to see the two tumors were different, and he didn’t have to leave his office 30 miles away.

The more you use the RTIS you learn how it can make a difference in your daily practice. Over the years you think about new uses for this system. Here are some ideas to think about: 1. Remote FS, 2. Remote digital conference participation, 3. Intradepartmental consultation. All of these can be done, it just takes some creativity.

Please take a tour of this website to see the possibilities for RTIS in your practice.