An AI-assisted screening tool designed to reduce the time, effort, and cost of Gram analyses.
Product
Fusion Bacteriology Suite
Overview
Our Gram stain solution is a revolutionary, AI-assisted screening tool that can help laboratory technologists read Gram stained slides more efficiently and accurately using our AI-based algorithm, lab-optimized workflow, and LIS integration. It may be used to identify bacteria, cells, and yeasts from Gram stained slides.
The Techcyte Gram stain solution is for research use only and not for diagnostic use in the US.
Our Bacteriology gram analysis solution classifies and counts the following objects (for a full list see below):
Bacilli Gram + and Gram –
Cocci Gram + and Gram –
White Blood Cells
Epithelial cells
Yeasts & Fillamentus Fungus
Challenge & Solution
Direct microscopic examination of gram-stained slides has several disadvantages, including the cost and time it takes to perform the analysis via microscope, technician fatigue, distraction, and operator bias.
With our Gram stain solution, labs have the potential to reduce the time and effort it takes to perform Gram analyses and obtain greater inter- and intra-operator consistency and accuracy, using a more ergonomic computer monitor.
How It Works
4-step process:
Create slides
Slides are prepared by manual smear, cytospinning or automated slide preparation equipment.
Gram stain and coverslip are applied to slides prior to scanning.
Scan slides
Technicians load slides into the chosen scanner. Slides are then scanned and the resulting images are automatically uploaded to the Techcyte platform for AI analysis.
We accept any good-quality 80x image from a compatible scanner (for a list of compatible scanners, see below).
AI Analysis
Our AI algorithm uses a convolutional neural network to identify differentiating features and determine which combinations indicate a certain bacteria or other diagnostically significant objects. It then places them into the most likely classification for technologist review.
This algorithm is deterministic, making the same classification every time it is shown the same image. The whole process takes just minutes.
Technologist Review
Results are presented in a web-based interface where the technologist confirms the classification and verifies the presence, prevalence, and predominance of bacteria and other objects of interest.
They can also add notes or request an additional consult. The final results of the analysis are then automatically sent to their LIS.
Sample Types
- Altered Skin/Wound Swabs
- Biopsies/Tissues/Aspirates
- Body Fluid Smears
- Bronchoalveolar Lavage
- Cerebrospinal Fluid
- Cytospun Body Fluids
- ENT
- Genitourinary
- Pus
- Respiratory
- Synovial Fluid
Supported Scanners
Hamamatsu S360
80x scanning, 40x 0.95 NA objective
Pramana M Pro, HT2, HT4
80 x scanning, 40x 0.95 NA objective
Intended Features
- State-of-the-art platform
- AI-proposed images of bacteria and objects of interest, grouped by class and sorted by confidence
- Customizable semi-quantitative prevalence scoring thresholds
- No daily cycle of fatigue, distraction, or confirmation bias
- Presents “Smart” FOV placed where objects of interest are concentrated
- Automatically calculates presence, prevalence, and predominance of bacteria and yeast
- Automatically detects sample rejection criteria
- All digital LIS integration
- Digital archiving & storage of slides
Benefits
May improve accuracy, efficiency, or consistency of gram analyses
Technologist can quickly eliminate negative slides
Increased contribution margin per test
More time is available for analyzing abnormal cases
May reduce technologist stress and fatigue
May help with the hiring and retention of technologists
Collaborators
For research use only and not for diagnostic use in the US.
Overview
Our BV Gram stain solution is a revolutionary screening tool that helps medical technologists read bacteriology slides more efficiently and accurately using our AI-based algorithm, lab-optimized workflow, and LIS integration. It may be used to identify various bacteria, cells and yeasts from samples of vaginal origin.
Our BV Gram stain solution classifies and counts the following objects (for a full list see below):
Gram positive and negative bacteria (including gardnerella vaginalis)
White and red blood cells
Epithelial cells
Epithelial cells
Challenges & solutions
Direct microscopic examination of gram-stained slides has several disadvantages, including the cost and time it takes to perform the analysis via microscope, technician fatigue, distraction, and operator bias.
With our BV Gram stain solution, labs can reduce the time and effort it takes to perform gram analyses and obtain greater inter- and intra-operator consistency and accuracy, using a more ergonomic computer monitor.
How it works
4-step process:
Create slides
Slides are prepared using a standard smear technique, then treated with a gram stain (using fuchsin counterstain) and coverslipped for scanning.
Scan slides
Technicians load slides into the chosen scanner. Slides are then scanned and the resulting images are automatically uploaded to the Techcyte platform for Ai analysis.
We accept any good-quality 80x image from a compatible scanner (for a list of compatible scanners, see below). Scanning takes around 1.5 minutes.
Process images
Our AI algorithm uses a convolutional neural network to identify differentiating features and determine which combinations indicate a certain bacteria or other diagnostically significant objects. It then places them into the most likely classification for technologist review.
This algorithm is deterministic, making the same classification every time it is shown the same image. The whole process takes just minutes.
Review results
Results are presented in a web-based interface where technologists can efficiently confirm the presence of bacteria and other objects of interest and, if required, their prevalence.
They can also add notes or request an additional consult. Final results of the analysis are then sent to their LIS.
Cells & Organisms Identified
*These claims have not been examined by the FDA.
- Gram positive bacilli
- Lactobacillus
- Corynebacteria
- Gram negative bacilli
- Gram positive cocci
- Gram negative cocci
- Spirochaete
- Fuso-spirillarium
- Mobiluncus
- Gardnerella vaginalis
- Erythrocytes
- Leukocytes
- Epithelial cells
- Clue cells
- Yeasts
- Filamentous mycelium
- Brush cells
Supported scanners
Motic One
80x scanning, 40x 0.75 NA objective
Features
- State-of-the-art platform
- AI-proposed images of bacteria and objects of interest, grouped by class and sorted by confidence
- Hay-Ison or Nugent score
- Customizable semi-quantitative scoring thresholds
- No daily cycle of fatigue, distraction, or confirmation bias
- Levels out sample and stain variations
- Excels at low-prevalence samples
- High volume, high reliability scanners produce 80x-equivalent digital images
Benefits
Improves accuracy, efficiency and consistency of gram analyses
Improves inter- and intra-operator consistency in grading and reporting
Increases contribution margin per test
Reduces technologist stress and fatigue
Eliminates workflow bottlenecks introduced by gram analyses
Quickly eliminates negative slides
More time available for analyzing abnormal cases
Helps hiring and retention of technologists
Partners
For research use only and not for diagnostic use in the US.