Why We Made a Mobile Digital Pathology Lab - Summary - MDSpire

Why We Made a Mobile Digital Pathology Lab

Todd R. Minnigh and his team created ScanVan to address a problem with rare cancer diagnosis that had a particularly personal significance

  • By

  • Helen Bristow

  • May 29, 2026

  • 8 min

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Objective:

To address the challenges in diagnosing rare cancers by improving access to expertise and data through a mobile digital pathology lab, particularly in the context of geographical and structural barriers.

Key Findings:
  • Rare cancers are often diagnosed with significant delays due to centralized expertise and slow specimen transport.
  • The ScanVan can digitize approximately 1.1 million slides annually, significantly speeding up the data collection process.
  • Collectively, rare cancers account for about 25% of all cancer cases.
Interpretation:

Limitations:
  • Challenges in data standardization and integration across different systems.
  • Initial setup and operational costs for mobile scanning facilities.
Conclusion:

Original Source(s)

Why We Made a Mobile Digital Pathology Lab

  • by Helen Bristow

  • May 29, 2026

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