BD FocalPoint™
The BD FocalPoint™ is an automated imaging system that can
assist in the primary screening of BD SurePath™ liquid based
cytology slides and is currently used worldwide.
Up to 288 slides can be loaded onto the system at the same time
with the capacity to load additional slides during the working day.
The system can operate 24 hours continually over a 7 day period and
is monitored remotely by the manufacturer Becton Dickinson via VPN
connection therefore providing a reliable and robust clinical
service.
The system is designed to scan the SurePath™ liquid based
cytology slides using a high-speed video microscope that transfers
the images to specifically designed integrated "field of view"
computer boards. These then collect and process the images using
patented algorithms to interpret the images and classify the slides
that can be archived as No Further Review (NFR)
The system has the unique function of archiving up
to 25% for "NFR". These slides do not require any primary
manual intervention therefore providing significant benefits to the
laboratory.
No other automated imaging system can offer this
feature
- The system detects morphologic changes associated with
epithelial abnormalities and specimen adequacy
- Remove the requirement for expensive locums
- Assists with LEAN working practices
- Supports 14 day turnaround time
- Complements existing laboratory workflow
- Each slide is scanned 5 times
- Can be used with multiple sites
- Both glass and plastic coverslipps can be used
- Can be integrated with Laboratory Information System
- Minimal Operator intervention
- All training and support provided by Source BioScience
These algorithms enable the BD FocalPoint™ to scan BD SurePath™
LBC slides using the existing staining parameters and settings.
Approval by the NHS Cervical Cancer Screening
Programme ('NHSCSP')
The BD FocalPoint™ "No Further Review" technology is the
only automated cervical screening technology which
has been approved for use within the NHS cervical screening
programme. The NHSCSP has now informed laboratories that the BD
FocalPoint™ "No Further Review" can be implemented following
recommendations from the Health Technology Assessment MAVARIC trial,
which was published in March 2011*. The trial demonstrated
both the clinical performance of the BD FocalPoint™ 'NFR' and cost
benefits compared with manual screening.
More information...
*Kitchener HC, Blanks R, Cubie H, Desai M, Dunn G, Legood R,
et al. MAVARIC - a comparison of automation-assisted and
manual cervical screening: a randomised controlled trial.
Health Technol Assess 2011;15(3).