New Per-Slide Fee Model Simplifies Lab Imaging Costs

Clinical laboratories can now lease digital pathology scanners and software via a per-slide fee, reducing upfront capital needs.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Healthcare

New Per-Slide Fee Model Simplifies Lab Imaging Costs

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Do you believe per-use pricing models help local medical labs adopt more advanced diagnostic technology?

Techcyte has launched a digital pathology bundle through Fisher Healthcare that consolidates hardware, software, and maintenance into a single per-slide fee. The program is designed to help clinical laboratories adopt high-throughput digital imaging without the burden of high upfront capital costs.

Why it matters

By bundling scanners, service, and cloud storage into a consumption-based pricing model, the partnership aims to lower the barrier to entry for labs transitioning to digital workflows. This structure shifts expenses from significant initial capital outlays to predictable, volume-based operational costs.

The new bundle provides five years of service and maintenance alongside 30 days of active cloud storage, with archival options available thereafter. The pricing is structured as a single per-slide fee to simplify billing for laboratories managing throughput volumes.

The players

Techcyte

A developer of digital pathology software platforms designed for clinical diagnostics and laboratory efficiency.

Fisher Healthcare

A major distributor of clinical laboratory supplies, equipment, and technology solutions to medical facilities.

Epredia

A manufacturer of precision equipment and high-throughput slide scanning technology for pathology laboratories.

The details

The bundle integrates the Techcyte Fusion AP platform with high-throughput slide scanners from Epredia, specifically allowing labs to choose between the 3DHISTECH Pannoramic P1000 and 480 models. By combining these hardware and software components into a unified fee structure, the companies seek to streamline procurement and reduce the long-term maintenance overhead typically associated with managing digital pathology hardware independently.

October 16-18, 2026: The bundle is showcased at the Pathology Visions 2026 conference in San Diego.

Market Landscape

The integration of 3DHISTECH Pannoramic slide scanning technology into this bundle signals a shift toward utility-based procurement in clinical diagnostics. This model follows a broader industry move to reduce the capital-intensive nature of digital pathology adoption by packaging hardware and software as a service.

Lab operators should analyze whether a per-slide fee structure offers better cash flow management than traditional capital purchase agreements for their specific volume requirements. When evaluating this model, factor in long-term storage costs beyond the included 30-day active window and the compatibility of existing Epredia scanner fleets.

The takeaway

Moving to per-slide pricing can align laboratory costs directly with test volume, potentially improving margins during slow periods. Operators should compare the five-year service commitment against their current maintenance contracts to determine if the bundled approach reduces long-term operational risk.