Philips has introduced a new digital pathology scanner, the SGi, which supports configurable native DICOM JPEG and JPEG XL output formats, marking the first time a scanner has offered native DICOM JPEG XL capability.

The SGi, currently under development, expands the company’s SG300 and SG60 portfolio and is designed to meet the growing storage and interoperability demands in digital pathology. By supporting DICOM JPEG XL, the scanner enables image files up to 50% smaller than standard JPEG while maintaining image quality, helping pathology labs reduce storage requirements and streamline workflows both on-premises and in the cloud.

The JPEG XL format, as part of the broader DICOM standard, also facilitates integration with other imaging modalities, including radiology. This is seen as a step toward consolidating infrastructure through unified image archives such as PACS or vendor-neutral systems.
“The adoption of DICOM in pathology marks an important shift toward achieving scalable, interoperable imaging workflows,” said Imogen Fitt, principal analyst at Signify Research. “Philips’ support for DICOM JPEG and DICOM JPEG XL as a native output from its scanners illustrates how vendors are aligning with these trends, intending to support capabilities such as centralized archiving, cross-modality diagnostics, and remote collaboration for customers.”

The move also aligns with increasing interest in artificial intelligence and cloud-based analysis in pathology. Philips’ collaboration with Amazon Web Services provides options for cloud-based image storage and analysis, supporting growing data volumes and the shift to digital workflows.

While the SGi scanner is not yet CE marked and is not commercially available, the company previewed the system at the European Congress of Pathology in Vienna, held September 6–9.

Pathology Homepage