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| MarkPap Digital is our new product in development. It is intended to become a compound medical device comprising MarkPap biomarker-based cytology, digital imaging and IT web-based communication protocol for application of telecytopathology for mass cervical cancer screening in developing countries where the infrastructure for Pap and similar tests is undeveloped. MarkPap Digital, when fully developed and approved, will provide 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 |
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| 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. See the Image Acquisition Unit of MarkPap Digital on the right (individual components manufactured by GT-Vision, Hagerstown, Maryland). The result may be delivered electronically within hours and help women around the world. Our MarkPap Digital Team is currently working on the color standardization of cytological images that is the crucial, but still unmet need for better utilization of telemedicine in pathology and cytopathology. We propose a new color calibration filter to improve the MarkPap Digital performance (39, 40). | |
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 kit and bring or mail it to the laboratory. We are currently 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.
The combination of the two tests, the MarkPap Self Digital, opens a prospective for worldwide cytological cervical cancer screening and control of HPV vaccination.
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 initial phase of development (15).
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