One thing that I thought of, our neuropathology lab has non-standard sizes
of both blocks and slides.  It would be great if the system would
accommodate different sizes.

Thanks,
Rose
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Sharman" 
To: "HistoNet Server" 
Sent: Monday, December 03, 2001 3:04 PM
Subject: Cassette labelling and tracking system


> I am an engineer working for a company that is developing an embedding
> cassette storage and retrieval computer system. This is your chance to
> develop a product the way you want it to work. I would like to get some
> feedback in order to fine-tune our initial assumptions about the way labs
> handle these cassettes and slides. We have noticed that many labs and
> hospitals do not have a standardized method for marking, storing, tracking
> and retrieving the cassettes and slides. We are developing a computer
> program that will tell you exactly where a specific cassette or slide is
> being kept, when it was put there, and by whom.
>
> If you could please take some time to answer some of my questions:
>
> 1. What kind of numbers/letters do you use to label cassettes and slides?
> a. Is it a 6-digit number with postfix letters?
> b. Does it include the initials of the writer?
> c. Any other data?
> d. Are the numbers/letters labelled all in one line? Or do you have so
much
> information you need two lines?
> 2. How is this number marked on the cassette?
> a. With a labelling machine (like Shurmark or microwriter)?
> b. By hand (pen or pencil)?
> 3. How are the cassette numbers entered into the computer system?
> a. Before or after processing?
> b. Manually typed in?
> c. Would it be beneficial to enter these numbers automatically by using a
> computer program to scan the numbers on the cassettes?
> 4. How many levels of cassette location would be needed?
> a. Room, Shelf, Cabinet, Drawer, Position...
> 5. What information would want to be included with the cassette location?
> a. Date, user, doctor, the numbers of the slides associated with that
> block...
> 6. What additional equipment would you be willing to purchase?
> a. The program can work simply as a stand-alone piece of software. Would
you
> be willing to purchase an automatic labelling machine? A device to
> automatically scan the cassette numbers and input them into the computer
> program? A paraffin trimmer to remove excess wax so that the numbers can
be
> scanned correctly? Plastic cabinets to properly store cassettes and
slides?
>
> I think that will be enough for now. Thank you for taking the time to read
> and digest all of this. If you have any further comments or questions
please
> don't hesitate to respond.
>
> Paul Sharman
>
>
>
>