HALO AP® 2.3 Features and Functionalities
In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the exciting new features and functionalities in the latest release of HALO AP®, the CE-IVDR marked, AI-powered enterprise digital pathology platform from Indica Labs. We will also provide information about when you can expect your chance to upgrade to HALO AP® 2.3, as well as where to find user guides and release notes.
WHAT NEW FEATURES ARE IN THE HALO AP® 2.3 RELEASE?
Macrodissection Workflow Support
Together with the HALO Macrodissection Solutions from Indica Labs, HALO AP® has now expanded support for macrodissection workflows. HALO Macrodissection Solutions are AI algorithms that automatically scan slides for and highlight tumor in an easy-to-read heatmap that pathologists use to guide their annotations for downstream dissection. The new macrodissection workflow allows users to create a semi-automated, fully audited, and highly precise macrodissection workflow when coupled with an automated tissue macrodissector like the Tissector line from Xyall.
Color Deconvolution for Multiplex IHC Image Viewing*
Color deconvolution offers a method of viewing multiple biomarkers on the same slide without the need for additional sections. The new color deconvolution workflow in HALO AP® allows users to separate the signal from multiple biomarkers into separate channels, enabling the evaluation and interpretation of up to 5 biomarkers on a single slide. This results in savings of patient tissue for other analyses and preserves information about the interplay between biomarkers.
Z-Stack Viewing
HALO AP® 2.3 adds support for viewing Leica GT-450 SVS and Hamamatsu NDPI Z-stack images! This feature allows users to navigate and focus on three-dimensional structures in digital images. For fields like cytology and hematology, this feature is particularly beneficial and enables users to conduct their analyses in a digital format with ease.
Annotation Editing and Fixed Annotations for Mitotic Counting
Now annotations are editable and can be updated in real time! In addition, the new fixed annotations feature can be used to standardize clinically relevant measurements such as tumor size and distances from margins or anatomical structures of interest. They can also be used to count mitotic figures or other histologic features quickly and easily within a given number of high-powered fields, collecting count information within the platform for you. These fixed annotations remain unchanged once applied, offering a standardized method of comparison and quality control.
New User Roles
This release also brings an update to user roles, creating more individualized roles for users based on their specific requirements and HALO AP® use cases. New roles include Cases Supervisor, which can add and edit cases, Trials Supervisor, which can manage clinical trials, and Assay Designer, which can add and edit assays and score templates to cases. In addition, the Case-Trial Supervisor role has been renamed to Application Admin and the permissions will remain the same. With more fine-grained roles and permissions, you can control and limit what each user has permission to access and edit. Also, permissions are additive so if a lab manager needs to add and edit Cases and Trials, simply assign both the Cases Supervisor role and the Trials Supervisor role.
Translation of the User Interface
HALO AP® is now available with a user interface in Japanese, German, French, Finnish and simplified Chinese! This expands the usability of HALO AP® and allows users to work in HALO AP using their native language. Additional functionality has also been added for British English.
Additional Improvements and Updates
The user interface has been updated with new visual case status indicators, a method of quickly cycling between cases in your worklist, and case list management updates, all designed to enhance efficiency and improve the user experience.
*The color deconvolution feature of HALO AP® 2.3 is For Research Use Only and not intended for clinical diagnostic use.
Where can I learn more about HALO AP 2.3?
Documents
When can I expect to receive my 2.3 upgrade?
Indica Labs will be sending out an email to customers soon from info@indicalab.com with instructions on how to submit their upgrade request.
If you haven’t already done so, please add the following emails to your safe sender list to make sure our emails make it to you and not your spam folders: support@indicalab.com, info@indicalab.com, and marketing@indicalab.com.
Once you receive this email and submit your upgrade request, our Technical Solutions team will work with you to schedule your installation.
If you have questions regarding the release, feel free to reach out to support@indicalab.com.
Regulatory Compliance
HALO AP® is CE-IVDR marked for in-vitro diagnostic use in Europe, the UK, and Switzerland. HALO AP® is For Research Use Only in the USA and is not FDA cleared for clinical diagnostic use. In addition, HALO AP® provides built-in compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11, HIPAA, and GDPR.
HALO Macrodissection Solutions are not intended to be used for diagnostic purposes and are not regulated as medical devices in the EU/UK. HALO Macrodissection Solutions are For Research Use Only in the USA and are not FDA cleared for clinical diagnostic use. HALO Macrodissection Solutions are accessed via the HALO AP® enterprise digital pathology platform.
*The color deconvolution feature of HALO AP® 2.3 is For Research Use Only and not intended for clinical diagnostic use