Transcript Titration Calculations in Immunohistochemistry

Data Management within a Contract
Research Organization
Elizabeth A. Chlipala, BS, HTL(ASCP)QIHC
Premier Laboratory, LLC
Objectives
Discuss how a histology contract laboratory
implemented digital scanning capabilities
(Aperio Scanscope) along with a web-based
data management system (Spectrum Plus) to
increase the level of customer service and
quality of work we provide to our clients.
Our Initial Goals
Initially purchased scan scope to create whole slide digital
images
– Primary focus was due to the increasing number of
image analysis projects we were working on
– Image capture was labor intensive and quality and
appropriate selection of images depended upon the
level of training and education of the individual taking
the images
– Lots of merged images in Adobe Elements (not ideal)
– Image analysis capabilities and whole slide image
analysis was intriguing and a way increase quality of
data
– Revenue stream, set us apart from other CRO’s
The Learning Curve
• The more time we spent working with both
the scan scope and the spectrum plus
data base the more we saw how this could
really impact the level of service and level
of quality we could provide to our clients
• It was a great match for us since our
business core values was to provide a
quality product with an increased level of
customer service we can provide our
clients
Basic Services
1. Receive slides, scan slides, burn DVD’s,
ship slides and DVD’s back to client
2. #1 and place slides up on Spectrum for
approximately 30 days
3. #1 and place slides up on Spectrum
indefinitely
Security of Remote Log In
• With Spectrum Plus we are able to create
secure user ID’s and passwords for each
separate client
– When a client logs in they are only have
access to their images
• In administrative functions we can select
how much control each user has
• Managing client confidentiality
• Its really EASY!
Scanning for other CRO’s
Some of our clients are other CRO’s so they
have clients also and their clients also want
to be able to view the images.
– the CRO does not need to give out their user
ID and password (potentially see other clients
images)
– create a user ID and password for the client of
the CRO and then give the CRO access to
those images
Administrator – Premier Lab
PL Client 1
PL Client 2
PL Client 3 - CRO
CRO Client 4
CRO Client 5
• as administrator we have control over all accounts, we are
able to add, delete or change user accounts – keep an excel
spreadsheet of user ID’s and passwords, clients can not change
passwords
• users are only able to access their images and can not make
any changes to their account
• there are different levels of control – no access, read only and
full control
• most clients have full control - able to take snapshots, create
annotations, take measurments.
Client Training - Minimal
• Accessing images through spectrum is
very easy.
• Send off an e-mail to the client with basic
instructions
• Provide additional training if required
– phone conversation
– E-mail
– “Go to meeting”
– Digital conferencing – Spectrum Feature
The scanned images of your slides are on our server. Please follow the
instructions below to gain access to your images.
1. You will need to download the free shareware from Aperio from the
following link, you do not need to fill in any info if you choose not to just
click the download now button http://www.aperio.com/download.asp
2. To gain access to your images you will need to go to the following IP
address; http://mail.premierlab.com
3. The Spectrum Page should come up:
your username is: SamplesSlides (this is case sensitive)
your password is: premier
4. The software is relatively user friendly, but if you have any questions
please feel free to contact us.
Increased Customer Service
Routine protocol development
Clients have immediate access to images during the
development stages. They have the ability to
essentially
QC check our process. Increases
communication between us and the clients which will
increase customer service and satisfaction.
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review results of pilot samples
check for proper orientation
check for correct area of interest
check for correct staining patterns
Case Study #1
Client submitted rat brain sections, already
trimmed to a specific area of interest. They
wanted CEV staining of both the anterior
and posterior hippocampus at specific levels
• processed to paraffin cut 4 levels initially
• scanned slides
• client was able to view slides and direct us
Review on Spectrum
Immunohistochemical Protocol
Development
Great way to work with clients during
immunohistochemical protocol development
• Immediate access to results from titer studies
• Spectrum allows us to upload documents
– Antibody development spreadsheet
– Final protocol if necessary
– Methods for publications
– Antibody specification sheets
Case Study #2
Client wanted us to develop several antibodies
on mouse collagen arthritis sections
• able to review all slides, annotate areas of
interest or concern, take snapshots
• able to access our development methods
• able to access our final protocol
• able to access materials and methods for
publications
Review on Spectrum
Data from Entire Project is
Available on Spectrum
• Projects may consist of multiple types of
samples with varying analysis methods
– data from aperio algorithms linked to slide
– images captured from methods other than the
aperio or from other analysis methods
– data from the project
• report, tables, graphs, gross images, procedures,
etc. all can be uploaded to Spectrum
Case Study #3
Multiple analysis in a femoral artery balloon
injury model in rabbits. Looked at frozen
sections, paraffin sections and “En Face”
analysis of the Thoracic Aorta.
Since all of the data and images is located in
one spot it makes it easy to review data and
draft reports
Review on Spectrum
Case Study #4
Muscular Dystrophy Model – Mdx Mice
• Receive multiple muscles from Mdx mice
• Multiple analysis parameters
– Pathology (inflammation, fibrosis, myodystrophy)
– Centrally localized nuclei and atrophied cell
counts
– Fiber diameter, fiber area, etc.
Review on Spectrum
Case Study #5
DHE (supraoxide staining) of mouse femoral
arteries, frozen sections, ethidium bromide
cube for fluorescence.
• uploaded fluorescence captured tiff images
into the spectrum data
• analyzed via batch analysis through
spectrum and Aperio’s algorithms
• calculated intensity of staining
Summary
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Immediate access to images
Upload images not generated with ScanScope
Upload data or other files related to the study
Easy way to review all data associated with a
particular project
Implementation of whole slide digital imaging along
with the Spectrum Plus database has allowed us
to expand our services, improve the quality of
services we provide to our clients and also
increase the level of customer service.
A big thanks to
Aperio and
everyone back in
the lab.
Without either of
them I would not
have had the
opportunity to
give this
presentation.