Sakura Finetek Europe and MEDIPATH, a group of independent French pathologists, are to collaborate to enhance cancer diagnostics and improve conditions for cancer patients.
MEDIPATH has deployed four of Sakura’s Tissue-Tek AutoTEC a120s for automated embedding in its pathology centres in Fréjus, Paris, Eguilles (Aix-en-Provence) and Montpellier. This decision is part of an ongoing commitment to improving the quality of care provided to patients and in response to the significant increase in cancer cases over the last years.
Sample pre-analytical treatment, from collection to slide preparation, is a complex process crucial for diagnostic accuracy. Implementing these innovative instruments will allow MEDIPATH to standardise embedding while ensuring timely report delivery in line with its quality charter.
"MEDIPATH is a major player in cancer screening in France, processing over 1.5 million cases each year, including 140,000 cancer diagnoses, with these numbers steadily increasing," said Olivier Vire, President of MEDIPATH. "We are convinced that this technological advancement will not only strengthen our commitment to medical excellence but will also meet the growing expectations of our patients for quality care and timely results."
Mateo Iglesias, Vice President of Marketing, Strategy, and Innovation at Sakura Finetek Europe, commented: "As part of our Bridge service offering, our implementation specialists worked closely with MEDIPATH’s technical teams to analyse existing workflows, implement lean management practices, train technicians, and maximise system utilisation."
The Tissue-Tek AutoTEC a120 from Sakura is the industry's first and only fully automated embedding system. By combining this instrument with Tissue-Tek Paraform embedding cassettes and gels, pathology centres have a complete system for automating cassette embedding, with a maximum throughput of 120 cassettes per hour. The machine’s consistent handling allows for optimal repeatability. Samples do not leave their original cassette, meaning they retain their case number to ensure identity vigilance. This also allows for quicker comprehensive sample imaging and traceability throughout the embedding process.