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| MarkPap Digital concept allows evaluation of cytological specimens at distance (telecytopathology), using digital images sent from a remote laboratory sites. This development started in 2008, with individual components manufactured by GT-Vision, Hagerstown, Maryland), and it is fully developed as a MarkPap Digital Workstation (See Figure). The Workstation is now being incorporated as a part of MarkPap® Digital Networking System™ for Telecytopathology--the IT Telehealth Center (see further). The Workstation is a compound medical device comprising MarkPap biomarker-based cytology, digital imaging and IT web-based | 
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| communication protocol for application of telecytopathology for mass cervical cancer screening in areas/countries where the infrastructure for Pap and similar tests is undeveloped. MarkPapDigital provides an opportunity for low-trained laboratory technician to process the gynecological specimens with MarkPap Kit in a small remote laboratory or doctor's office, to look on the slide under the microscope searching for red-biomarker-positive cells, to capture them with a digital camera mounted on the microscope, and to transmit images of the microscopic field of view via the Internet to the laboratories with qualified reviewers for evaluation. The result may be delivered electronically within hours and help women around the world (39, 40). | |
MarkPap® Digital Networking System™ For Telecytopathology
Future IT Telehealth Center for Telecytopathology
This is the institutialization of our MarkPap Digital concept in the development of IT Telehealth Center for telecytopathology in Rockville, MD. The Center is an important milestone and a link in our translational research towards robotics and Global Health. This local Center is now in development by a multidisciplinary team of experts at the Shady Grove Innovation Center and the Johns Hopkins University, Montgomery County Campus, Rockville, MD. It is a new enterprise intended to provide high-tech medical diagnostic services 24/7 via web-based network. The prototype of the Local Telehealth Center is built as a modular system that can be further multiplied on State, Country-wide and Global level. The vision is that the Global Center will be responsible for QC/QA, control of other centers for compliance with protocols and polices, change of polices if needs require, customer service for difficult and rare cases, consultations and education. Our new expansion in wireless transmission and mobile health will bring another dimension to the Center, that is expected to be further developed into IT and Wireless Telehealth Center. Telemedicine is a hope to bring efficient and low-cost health care in rural, low-resource areas and the developing world. It is also a hope to decrease disparities in providing health care. The interest is tremendous, and we already signed a Trade Agreement with PR of China. The Center will also bring benefit to the local economy with building a new infrastructure and providing new jobs, new services and revenues and taxes from services. Please click here to see a presentation on the IT Telehealth Center for Telecytopathology.
MarkPap® Wireless
MarkPap(r) Wireless is a project in development in the area of Mobile Health - using wireless transmission and cellphone cameras in telemedicine/telecytopathology in areas where the Internet is not available. For more information about our progress in this field, please view Press Releases and Option for m-Health Telecytopathology.
MarkPap® Self
Self-sampling for cervical cancer screening, future "home pap" will be made possible because the biomarker is stable in cervico-vaginal fluids, thus amenable for microscopic examination in exfoliated cells. According to the design of this potential device, a woman could obtain a specimen in the privacy of her home using a simple MarkPap Self Kit and bring or mail the sample to the laboratory.
We have been conducting a survey among women on the acceptance of this test (37,40). About 80% of women are enthusiastic about the opportunity. This opportunity would serve women who live in remote parts and do not have access to a medical institution, those who are prohibited to visit gynecologist because of cultural/tradition reason, who can not pay for the test (MarkPap is less expensive), and those who avoid Pap test because they feel uncomfortable or are afraid of pelvic exam.
MarkPap® Tissue Bank
MarkPap® Solution contains a synthetic antioxidant that improves the preservation of the enzyme activity (biomarker) and the cell integrity. The Solution may be used for conservation of cervical specimens for pharmaceutical industry for the development of molecular-targeting drugs (lysosomal targeting) against invasive cervical cancers. This product is in its very initial phase of development (15).
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