Technologies for the Automation of Anatomic Pathology Processes: A Review

Abstract

One of the primary roles of an anatomic pathology laboratory (APL) is the identification of tissue abnormalities, which is crucial for diagnosing diseases and defining a suitable therapy. To date, a considerable number of human errors and artifacts affect the APL test cycle in all its phases (pre-analytical, intra-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical), mainly due to manual and non-standardized procedures. An extensive use of technologies (among which robotic ones) aimed at favoring laboratory automation procedures, would be key in decreasing these errors and their clinical consequences. However, several improvements in workflow, technology and standardization still need to occur. In this review, we discuss the current level of automation currently available in the APL histopathologic production workflow in all phases of the test cycle, highlighting the legal and ethical issues related to their adoption.