Whole slide imaging is an imaging technique used to produce digital slides. It is the most recent imaging modality being employed by pathology labs worldwide. Healthcare organizations rely on whole slide imaging to save a digital scan of the entire histology result. It is an advanced digital imaging technique implemented by pathologist worldwide. This is commonly achieved by capturing many small high-resolution image tiles or strips and montaging them to create a full image of a histological section. Whole slide imaging also allows user to preserve pathology data in high-resolution digital files. Digital pathology with whole-slide imaging has numerous potential clinical and non-clinical applications.
Market Statistics:
The global whole slide imaging market is estimated to account for US$ 808.03 Mn in terms of value by the end of 2022.
Drivers:
Growing applications of whole slide imaging (digital pathology) is expected to augment growth of the global whole slide imaging market during the forecast period. Whole slide imaging is the most recent imaging modality being employed by pathology departments across the globe. For instance, In October 2019, Olympus Corporation announced the launch of its SLIDEVIEW VS200 solution. It is a research slide scanner that can capture high-quality virtual slide images and allow advanced quantitative image analysis of samples related to different applications, such as the brain, cancer, and stem cell research and drug discovery.
Opportunities:
Increase in prevalence of cancer around the world is expected to provide lucrative opportunities for players in the global whole slide imaging market. For instance, whole slide imaging is one of the emerging fields of digital pathology as it explores different methods and applications to enhance clinical care and cancer diagnosis. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death around the world. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2022, there will be an estimated 1.9 million new cancer cases diagnosed and 609,360 cancer deaths in the United States. Cancer continues to be the second most common cause of death in the U.S., after heart disease. This in turn is expected to increase the use of whole slide imaging.
Restraints:
Stringent regulatory framework and high cost of whole slide imaging are some major factors expected to hinder growth of the global whole slide imaging market. For instance, barriers to adoption of whole slide imaging include image quality, problems with scanning all materials (cytology slides), cost, digital slide storage, limiting technology, regulatory barriers, inability to handle high-throughput routine work, and pathologists' reluctance. In the U.S., technology manufactured for digital pathology (i.e. scanners, software) are considered medical devices and are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).