Agilent launches high-throughput digital pathology slide scanner in Europe

Agilent Technologies Inc. announced the launch of the Agilent S540MD Slide Scanner System, a whole slide imaging digital scanner now available for sale in key European markets, expanding the company’s footprint in digital pathology as clinical laboratories face mounting operational and diagnostic pressures.

The Agilent S540MD is designed for high-throughput pathology environments, offering capacity for up to 540 slides, continuous loading and compatibility with standard laboratory racks. The system includes automated scanning modes and AI-assisted tissue detection, features intended to help laboratories digitize glass slides efficiently and integrate digital and artificial intelligence–driven workflows into routine practice.

Pathology laboratories worldwide are grappling with rising case volumes, increasing diagnostic complexity and the need for faster turnaround times. Reliance on traditional glass slide workflows alone can slow operations, prompting many labs to invest in digital pathology systems that improve scalability and efficiency while supporting diagnostic precision.

The new scanner is the Agilent-branded version of the Hamamatsu NanoZoomer S540MD Slide Scanner System, reflecting an ongoing partnership between the two companies. With the addition of the S540MD, Agilent said it is strengthening its digital pathology portfolio, which spans staining, slide scanning and AI-based decision support, giving laboratories more flexibility to tailor solutions to their specific needs.

“The introduction of the Agilent S540MD Slide Scanner System marks an important advancement in our commitment to equip pathology laboratories with advanced digital technologies,” said Nina Green, vice president and general manager of Agilent’s clinical diagnostics division. “This initiative facilitates the acceleration of diagnostic workflows and supports improved patient outcomes.” Green added, “Our partnership with Hamamatsu demonstrates Agilent’s ongoing dedication to delivering integrated, fully interoperable solutions to address the evolving needs of clinical laboratories.”

The Agilent S540MD scanner will initially be available as an in vitro diagnostic system in Germany, France, Belgium, Spain, Austria, Luxembourg and Italy under the European Union’s IVDR framework, as well as in the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Agilent said it plans to expand availability to additional European countries, with further milestones expected in 2026.

Advances in digital pathology and AI-driven diagnostics

The launch of Agilent’s new slide scanner comes amid rapid advances in digital pathology, a field that has accelerated significantly over the past decade as imaging technology, computing power and artificial intelligence tools have matured. Whole slide imaging, once viewed primarily as a research or educational tool, is increasingly being adopted for primary diagnosis, remote consultations and workload balancing across health systems.

Modern scanners now emphasize speed, automation and reliability, enabling laboratories to digitize hundreds of slides per day with minimal manual intervention. Improvements in optics, image resolution and file compression have reduced scan times while preserving diagnostic quality, making digital workflows more practical for high-volume clinical settings.

At the same time, AI applications are moving from experimental pilots into real-world pathology practice. Algorithms are being developed and validated to assist with tasks such as tissue detection, tumor grading, biomarker quantification and screening for rare or subtle findings that may be difficult to spot consistently under time pressure. While most AI tools are designed to augment rather than replace pathologists, studies have shown they can improve efficiency, reduce variability and support more standardized reporting.

Regulatory frameworks in Europe, the United States and other regions are also evolving to accommodate digital pathology and AI-based diagnostic tools, providing clearer pathways for clinical adoption. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated acceptance by highlighting the value of remote access to digital slides when on-site work was disrupted.

As laboratories continue to consolidate and workloads grow, vendors are increasingly offering end-to-end digital pathology ecosystems that integrate staining, scanning, image management and AI analytics. Industry observers say this convergence is reshaping pathology workflows, positioning digital pathology as a foundational technology for precision medicine, clinical trials and population-scale screening programs in the years ahead.