Leica Biosystems, Mayo Clinic partner to develop next generation of cytogenetics imaging software

Leica Biosystems and Mayo Clinic's Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology announced today a collaboration to develop the next generation of cytogenetics imaging software. The new tool will optimize software workflow and improve the overall user experience for cytogenetics imaging technicians.

The two organizations intend to help cytogenetics laboratories effectively process increased case loads. Their solution will reduce manual steps in the imaging process through paperless workflow. It will also pioneer secure remote case access, which will enable flexible on- and off-shoring of case reviews.

"Our goal is to develop the fastest and most accurate cytogenetic information tool to enhance patient care," says Patricia Greipp, D.O., co-laboratory director of the Mayo Clinic Cytogenetics Laboratory. "Mayo Clinic now has the opportunity to incorporate its expertise within an imaging solution from Leica that we feel will produce the most sophisticated and efficient cytogenetics analysis tool for the modern cytogenetics laboratory."

Physicians and allied health staff from Mayo Clinic will provide clinical expertise throughout the collaboration with Leica. The Mayo Cytogenetics Laboratory handles more than 80,000 cases each year and is growing.

"Laboratory consolidation and a decreasing population of cytogenetics technicians are driving increasing caseloads and productivity challenges for cytogenetics laboratories," says Donal O'Shea, Leica Biosystems vice president of clinical microscopy applications. "They need software that increases throughput and improves case turnaround time. Mayo Clinic is the gold standard for clinical practice. We feel that this collaboration will enable us to optimize our future-state workflows for improved patient experience and minimized wait times."

Earlier this year, Mayo Clinic selected Leica Biosystems to fully renew the health care organization's cytogenetics imaging equipment. Key selection criteria included responsiveness to Mayo's requirements, automated scanning with multi-operator environment support, and a high-quality service offering.