Our Story

Mikroscan was founded in June of 2011 with the specific aim of providing a low-cost digital pathology solution that also incorporated a real-time remotely controlled robotic microscope.

 

The concept arose when Bob Goerlitz, co-founder of Mikroscan, was distributing early Aperio Scanscope systems through his company Mikron Instruments. While Bob believed that the technology had great potential, he also thought the high price of digital pathology scanners and their limited versatility compared with the microscope largely didn’t fit the various needs of the pathology community, and would be a tough sell.

 

After seeing that the progression in the adoption of digital pathology often starts first with standalone telemicroscopy, then low-throughput whole-slide scanning, we decided to address the next logical step along the digital pathology pathway. Launched in 2020, the medium-throughput 5-20 Series features a convenient 20-slide autoloader that mimics the traditional slide folder workflow. The new line has provided a natural transition into digital pathology, with a price point that allows for a distributed network throughout a hospital system and is ideal for remote rural locations—exactly the type of practical use case Bob had in mind when he first founded Mikroscan. 

 

Bob passed away early in Mikroscan’s evolution. Still, we have remained true to his vision of providing the pathology community with the technology they need when they need it, wherever they are in the digital pathology journey. We continue to innovate and provide practical products and services to improve the pathology workflow, removing some of the burdens on today’s busy pathologists and ultimately, improving healthcare.