pathology

What is important when choosing a monitor for pathology

1. Resolution

The higher the monitor’s resolution, the more details the user will see. Images are less pixelated, have sharper contours, and more content is displayed at one time.

2. Screen size

For digital pathology applications, 27-inch to 32-inch widescreen monitors are recommended to fill the user’s natural field of view.

3. Workstation

To get the most accurate information out of each image, you need to consider the screen size, resolution, and distance between the monitor and the user at the workstation when selecting a monitor.

4. Image brightness

The Bundesverband Deutscher Pathologen e.V. (National Association of German Pathologists) recommends an image brightness of at least 300 cd/m2 for monitors used in pathology diagnostics. This roughly corresponds to what you would see under a conventional microscope. To maintain a consistent brightness over time, monitors that offer much higher brightness levels are recommended to provide a buffer to allow for the aging of the device and stricter brightness standards in the future.

5. Contrast

To ensure high differentiability in dark and bright areas on an image and be able to control homogeneity, a contrast ratio of min. 1000:1 (static contrast ratio) is recommended for a monitor used in pathology diagnostics.

6. Image homogeneity

Inhomogeneity causes an image to appear differently depending on its position on the screen. This could result in the user having to move the image on the monitor in order to obtain all the information from it. With the DUE (Digital Uniformity Equalizer) function, medical monitors in the RadiForce series can compensate for differences in brightness and colour.

7. Calibration

Routine quality control ensures that pathological diagnoses are consistent and reliable. As a result, users trust the information they see on the screen and there is a lower risk of misdiagnosis.

8. Colour

It is important for the work of pathologists that all monitors meet the established colour standards.

9. Durability

Medical monitors have a much longer service life than standard monitors. This means they can be in heavy use over a long period of time.

10. Quality control software

Quality control software for medical monitors helps in performing monitor validation tests according to national and international quality standards and in adapting the monitor to the specific working environment.

EIZO recommends the following monitors for pathology