New and novel fast scanning microscopes with much enhanced image capturing and image analysis tools can dramatically extend the analytical power of traditional light microscopy by converting it to what one may call "virtual microscopy" (VM). One of the most important application fields of VM is connected to medical pathology. Here one can introduce the concept even to routine diagnostics in the day-to-day clinical environment. Further, over an intranet network, VM allows quick and easy access

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... the "virtual slides" database at any time and at any place. Another important aspect is the prospect that long-term archiving in large regional hospitals will be greatly facilitated.