Letters to the Editor

More on STED

In the article “Resolving to see the subcellular” (Nov./Dec. 2009, p. 13), you cite the development of a “hybrid technique called stimulated emission depletion [STED] two-photon laser scanning microscopy”by Bernardo L. Sabatini and his group at Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Boston. I would like to point your attention toward the pioneering work of professor Stefan W. Hell. Although the actual STED application described may be novel, the underlying technique was invented and patented by Hell. It would therefore be most appropriate if due credit were given to him as well.

I can strongly recommend that you visit the homepage www.nanoscopy.de for more details on STED.

Lars Lindvold
Technical University of Denmark

Digital pathology changes

I have been an avid reader of BioPhotonics and other photonics publications for many years and enjoy the content. I read with interest Hank Hogan’s piece on medical imaging in the October issue (“For medical imaging, a possible convergence,” p. 34). Although there is reference to endoscopy, I was surprised to find none to implications for image management in digital pathology and PACS [picture archiving and communications system].

Many changes are occurring in digital pathology, and there will be an increased need for enterprisewide PACS for increased adoption.

A DICOM [Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine] standard remains as the root of this, and there is a working group looking at these issues.

A future story on image-management needs in digital pathology may be in order.

Keith J. Kaplan, MD
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minn.

Editor’s response:

Please see our roundup of PACS issues on page 22 of this issue.