Abstract: A QA test slide for use in a stain QA method for a stain and method of making QA test slides are described. The QA test slide comprises: a transparent substrate; a piece of biopolymer material mounted on the transparent substrate; and a sticker defining an aperture and adhered to the transparent substrate over the piece of biopolymer material and with a portion of the piece of biopolymer material exposed by the aperture and wherein a machine readable code is borne by the sticker and the machine readable code encodes a unique identifier for the QA test slide.

Abstract: A scanner for scanning a QA test slide as part of a stain QA method, and method of using the scanner are described. The scanner comprises a housing defining an interior of the scanner, a slide holder within the housing and configured to receive a QA test slide, a digital camera within the housing and arranged to capture an image of the QA test slide when located in the slide holder, and a light source within the housing and arranged to illuminate both a rear side and a front side of the QA test slide when located in the slide holder.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods and data processing apparatus are described for displaying virtual slide images. Images of a plurality of slides are automatically displayed in a first region of a display device at a first magnification. The slides comprise all the slides including material from a same specimen. An image of at least one of the slides is displayed in a second region at a second magnification greater than the first magnification. At least the image displayed in the second region is changed responsive to receiving user input. Methods for automatically determining a slide layout pattern and methods for virtually melding glass slide images into a single image are also described.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods and data processing apparatus are described for displaying virtual slide images. Images of a plurality of slides are automatically displayed in a first region of a display device at a first magnification. The slides comprise all the slides including material from a same specimen. An image of at least one of the slides is displayed in a second region at a second magnification greater than the first magnification. At least the image displayed in the second region is changed responsive to receiving user input. Methods for automatically determining a slide layout pattern and methods for virtually melding glass slide images into a single image are also described.