Color Management in Digital Pathology

In digital microscopes and whole slide imaging systems, images of slides are captured, transmitted, and reproduced on a computer display. In order to allow pathologists to interpret these images accurately and efficiently, it is important that colors from the slides are displayed in a consistent and reliable fashion. The final color of the image presented to the viewing pathologist depends on several steps through the imaging pathway, including sample illumination, magnification, image capture, compression, storage, and reproduction on the computer display. There are many possible system designs and, within a single system, different setup options which can affect the final image leading to significant variation in image appearances. This paper summarizes recent work by members of the International Color Consortium Medical Imaging Working Group to develop test materials and methods for the assessment of color calibration of digital microscope systems. This work includes sharing of ideas on device calibration and image processing and display. The paper further discusses the challenges encountered in the development of a suitable color target that includes a set of patches with spectra similar to those encountered when viewing pathology slides with stained tissue samples.