Utility of a low-cost 3-D printed microscope for evaluating esophageal biopsies

Rosen, D. G., de Mello, E. S., Dhingra, S., Dawsey, S. M., Knapper, J., Bowman, R. and Anandasabapathy, S. (2024) Utility of a low-cost 3-D printed microscope for evaluating esophageal biopsies. Annals of 3D Printed Medicine, 13, 100145. (doi: 10.1016/j.stlm.2024.100145) (PMID:38405263)

Abstract

In this manuscript we assessed the utility of a low-cost 3D printed microscope to evaluate esophageal biopsies. We conducted a comparative analysis between the traditional microscope and our 3-D printed microscope, utilizing a set of esophageal biopsy samples obtained from patients undergoing screening endoscopy. Two pathologists independently examined 30 esophageal biopsies by light microscopy and digital images obtained using a low-cost 3D printed microscope (Observer 1 and 2). The glass slide consensus diagnosis was compared to the findings of 2 additional pathologist who independently just reviewed the digital images (Observer 3 and 4). The intra-observer agreement was substantial to almost perfect for observer 1 (k:0.64) and 2 (k:0.84). All four observers had 100% sensitivity and negative predictive value, whereas specificity ranged from 59% to 100% and positive predictive value ranged from 21% to 100%. The PPV and specificity were lower for the two Observers (3 and 4) who just examined the digital images. Overall, our results suggest that telepathology may be used with high sensitivity and specificity, utilizing the pictures produced by our 3D-printed microscope.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health [R01 CA181275].
• Keywords: Telepathology, 3d-printer, low-cost.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Bowman, Dr Richard
• Authors: Rosen, D. G., de Mello, E. S., Dhingra, S., Dawsey, S. M., Knapper, J., Bowman, R., and Anandasabapathy, S.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Journal Name: Annals of 3D Printed Medicine
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 2666-9641
• ISSN (Online): 2666-9641
• Published Online: 10 January 2024
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2024 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Annals of 3D Printed Medicine 13:100145
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License