COR-Medical specialists have developed the Cor-LAB software and hardware complex, which is currently being tested in two leading pathological laboratories in Kyiv.

Cor-LAB is an innovative system that implements the concept of digital pathology in pathology laboratories and accelerates cancer diagnosis processes. What results have been achieved during the system’s testing in laboratories, and how does Cor-LAB work in general? One of the project’s creators, Tigran Amalyan, explains in this article.

Tigran Amalyan – A Doctor by Training and the Author of the Cor-LAB Project

Tigran, let’s start with the basics. What is digital pathology?

In short, digital pathology is an innovative field of medicine that uses modern technologies to transform traditional microscopic images into digital formats. This approach involves image processing, pathology detection, data interpretation, and much more. Thanks to digital pathology, doctors can not only conduct analyses faster and more accurately but also have the opportunity to consult remotely with colleagues from anywhere in the world.

What is Cor-LAB?

Cor-LAB is a software and hardware complex developed by the COR-Medical team to implement digital pathology in Ukraine. It consists of specialized equipment and software that enables the labeling, identification, and recognition of pathological morphology materials and facilitates their use for further diagnosis and second-opinion consultations. Our team is actively working on its development, and the system is now in its final testing phase.

What Does the Software and Hardware Complex Include?

Cor-LAB consists of several key components:

• Digital Scanners: Used to create high-quality digital copies of histological samples, providing clear, high-resolution images.
• Software: The central element of the system that enables image viewing, digital copy management, patient data access, consultation organization, and archive maintenance.
• Servers and Network Storage: Ensure reliable storage of digital sample copies and guarantee uninterrupted data access.
• Artificial Intelligence: Image analysis algorithms assist in detecting pathologies, improving the accuracy and speed of diagnostics (AI will be available for use once the necessary legal frameworks are implemented in Ukraine).
• Remote Consultation: The system allows specialists from around the world to conduct online consultations, facilitating knowledge and experience exchange.

The technologies behind Cor-LAB help enhance cancer diagnosis, making it easier to detect pathologies and accelerate treatment decision-making.

How Does the System Work?

Imagine this scenario: after surgery, a removed organ or tissue sample is delivered to the laboratory for pathological examination. Upon arrival, the material must be identified. Typically, this is done using paper-based documentation, but this approach carries a high risk of human error—samples can be mislabeled or mixed up.

To minimize errors, Cor-LAB assigns QR codes to all samples at the reception stage, significantly improving accuracy and simplifying tracking.

After identification, the sample undergoes preparation: cutting, staining, fixation, freezing, heating, and mounting on slides. The doctor can then examine it under a microscope or scan it using modern scanners, allowing for high-resolution image analysis on a large screen.

With 3200x magnification, the doctor can observe even the smallest tissue structures, contributing to a more precise diagnosis based on high-quality digital images. This also facilitates the seamless sharing of samples for second-opinion consultations.

If each stage is depicted schematically, the overall picture will look like this:

Key Advantages of Using Cor-LAB:

• Significantly Accelerates Laboratory Processes — by 70-80%. This is possible due to the reduction of paperwork, which currently overloads doctors and distracts them from their core tasks.
• Minimizes Human Error and Reduces Risks — all data is digital, samples are identified and labeled, and each preparation stage is documented with photos. This ensures a modern and reliable laboratory system where every step is traceable.
• Enhances Information Sharing Capabilities — for example, in complex cases, a colleague in Kharkiv, New York, or Shanghai can remotely access a patient’s medical record and view sample images on their screen.

Additionally, Cor-LAB will enable the creation of Ukraine’s first National Library of Pathological Morphology Images for educational and diagnostic purposes. Currently, no such resource exists in the country. Once implemented on a national level, Ukraine will become one of the leading countries in terms of speed and accuracy in pathological diagnosis. This will have a significant positive impact not only on pathology diagnostics but also on the broader medical field.

Can Cor-LAB Be Used Only in Ukraine?

The goal is to make Cor-LAB an international system. It currently supports five interface languages: Ukrainian, English, Chinese, Polish, and Russian, with plans to expand to additional languages in the future. This ensures that patients can receive second-opinion consultations from anywhere in the world.

Does Cor-LAB Have Applications Beyond Digital Pathology?

Future plans include expanding Cor-LAB beyond digital pathology. The system is expected to synchronize all laboratory data, allowing doctors to not only view sample images and descriptions but also access blood test results, urine tests, X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, mammography data, and other laboratory findings.

Although transitioning to the new system may take time due to technical and legal considerations, we are confident that Cor-LAB will significantly reduce cancer-related mortality. That is why we are committed to this goal.

If you are interested in collaboration or would like to test the Cor-LAB system in your laboratory, contact us at info@cor-medical.ua or call 0 800 402 400.