PathcoreFlow
User Manual
PathcoreFlow is the connected database for pre-clinical research — including spatial biology, toxicologic pathology, drug discovery, and academic research.
It's an enterprise-grade image management system (IMS) and workflow system that runs entirely in a web browser. PathcoreFlow acts as a vendor-neutral repository for whole slide images, supporting a range of proprietary WSI scanner formats, analysis systems, laboratory information systems, and even DICOM, so labs aren't tied to a single vendor.
The platform comprises four components: a vendor-neutral data archive, multi-modality image viewer, metadata management system, and cloud-based collaboration functions. It stands out for its GLP/GCP compliance, scalable archival storage, strong security, and integrations with AI analysis platforms and laboratory information systems (LIS/LIMS) — enabling teams to organize data, collaborate on reviews, and automate workflows without disrupting existing infrastructure.
Features
A Vendor-Neutral Archive
The Repository is a vendor-neutral archive (VNA) and a virtual file system, accessible from any internet-enabled device. It works like the file system on your computer, supporting nested folders and all file types — making it easy to store and organize your team's files, images, and related information.
Folders can be nested to any depth, but the top level holds folders only — no files. This structure simplifies organizing and setting permissions for different users, groups, years, and studies.
Each item in the Repository has a name, but names don't need to be unique since every entry is identified by a unique ID. By convention, folders have integer IDs and files have alphanumeric IDs.
Built-in Image Viewer
Any of the supported image formats, such as whole slide images, DICOM images and photos, can be viewed with the built-in image Viewer on-demand, using streaming technologies. However, many of the non-image data files will need to be downloaded and viewed using external software.
Supported Metadata Types
Repositories provide flexible and customizable methods for creating and tracking metadata. The following metadata types are supported at folder-level and file-level:
Additionally, for image files (i.e., files that have been identified as images) the following metadata types are also supported:
Hierarchical Storage Management
PathcoreFlow's storage system is an excellent solution for both active and archived studies. Powered by hierarchical storage management (HSM) technology, it's a fully managed, performant, and turnkey solution that offers the cost savings and other benefits of modern cloud infrastructure. Tailored for large and expanding digital pathology laboratories, this geo-redundant system maximizes savings by intelligently and transparently moving data across multiple storage tiers based on usage patterns or user needs.
Audit and Compliance
Designed for GLP-regulated primary reads and peer reviews in toxicologic pathology, PathcoreFlow supports both regulated and non-regulated studies. Its compliance features include data archival, audit trails, reason-for-change tracking, IQ/OQ reporting, and customized validation support. Robust technical controls meet the requirements of Title 21 CFR Part 11 and similar regulations, giving your quality assurance teams confidence while pathologists focus on the science — making the adoption of whole slide imaging easy.
Security and Privacy
Our cloud relies on Google Cloud Platform, which maintains its own extensive compliance measures. Pathcore adds a certified ISO/IEC 27001:2022 information security management system, encryption at rest and in transit, and a long list of other security measures, including:
- Continuous vulnerability monitoring
- Backup and disaster recovery
- Two factor authentication
- Password complexity rules
- SAML SSO & LDAP
- Account lockout and session controls
Third-Party Integrations
Connect your entire digital pathology workflow with one platform. PathcoreFlow is an interoperable digital pathology platform that brings together your scanners, image analysis tools, and LIMS into a single, configurable workflow. Built-in integrations and RESTful APIs connect all your digital pathology assets — including third-party systems:
- Connect a LIS and automate workflow
- Integrate image analysis systems
- Automate image ingestion from scanners
- Customize processes with our open API
Universal LIS Connector
The Universal LIS Connector (ULC) is a flexible and low-code framework designed to make integration with third-party systems fast and cost-effective. In particular, ULC has been designed for ingesting metadata from laboratory information systems and other study metadata tracking systems into the image management system.