ShEEP Request for Zeiss Axio Scan Z1 Digital Scanner

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Abstract One of the most commonly used techniques in biomedical research is examination of tissues from experimental animals before and after interventions. Scanning, digitizing and analyzing these histopathological slides is an integral part and extensively used technology in our VA biomedical research projects. This usually involves various tissue sections examined under the microscope and subsequent image analysis. Currently, this is performed manually and at different resolutions each separately scanned and quantitated. This is a very time consuming and inefficient process. To significantly improve our imaging and analysis process, we are requesting a high- resolution slide scanner and analyzer that will serve immediately as a shared equipment for a group of ten VA investigators. Availability of such a system is therefore highly desirable and would benefit eventually a large number of VA investigators. The proposed new Axio system will permit automated scanning, at high resolution, archiving and analyzing these slides. This automated device rapidly acquires high-magnification images and joins them into large composites and can generate 3D reconstructions of whole organs from serial tissue sections. In addition to these unique capabilities, this system is easier to use than a traditional microscope due to a lack of moving parts and intuitive control software and is easier to maintain due its enclosed design and self-calibrating optics. These features greatly reduce operator and maintenance costs. This device will not only reduce work hours and costs for tissue processing but will also generate higher quality images for presentation and analysis, advancing a wide range of veteran-centric research at the San Diego VA closer toward the clinic and a direct benefit to veterans' health. Our VASDHS micro-imaging core facility does not have an automated, networked system for scanning, archiving and analyzing these histopathological slides. This lack of proper equipment results in extensive manual labor and often the slides have to be re-scanned at different resolutions. In summary, this system will be beneficial to investigators in Radiology, Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Neurology, Surgery, Cardiology and Urology and will be a useful resource to other investigators as well. .