Slide-label redaction is the removal of patient wording from the marked corner of a whole-slide image (DICOM PS3.15). anonym.plus reads it with local OCR. The marking is then hidden, so the picture names no one.
When this applies
A digital pathology archive holds many corner snaps. The tissue view can stay, yet the name and the case code printed there have to go first.
How anonym.plus handles it
- Open the file in anonym.plus on your own device.
- Local OCR reads the wording in the marked corner.
- The tool boxes each name, date, and case code.
- Check each box and add any the eye still sees.
- Black out the boxed area, or paint over it.
- Save the clean image. The first copy stays with you.
What you need to provide
- The whole-slide image (DICOM, TIFF, or strip snap).
- An operator: Redact (black box) or Mask (partial cover).
- Optional: a fixed box for a repeated corner layout.
PHI entity types detected
| Category | anonym.plus entity type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Names | PERSON | P. Sorensen → [PATIENT_1] |
| Dates | DATE_TIME | 21 APR 2026 → [DATE] |
| Record IDs | MEDICAL_RECORD_NUMBER | MRN 558090 → [MRN] |
| Case | ID | Case H26-3402 → [CASE] |
| Block | ID | Block A2 → [BLOCK] |
| Lab | ORGANIZATION | Northgate Path → [LAB] |
Compliance achieved
- Hides the printed marking per the DICOM PS3.15 profile for whole-slide images.
- Local OCR runs offline, so the tool itself needs no BAA.
- Working files are kept safe with AES-256-GCM.
- Supports GDPR Art. 9 health data for EU patients.
Anonymize whole-slide images offline — see plans & start free →
Limitations & cautions
Handwriting in the corner is hard for OCR to read. Check the marked area by eye before you share it. The tissue view itself rarely holds a name.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the patient data on a digital slide?
Most of it sits in the marked corner, not the tissue view. Local OCR reads that area so you can box and hide the printed name.
Does the tissue scan get touched?
No, unless you place a box there. You review each box first, so the tissue stays whole while the corner gets covered.
Can OCR read a handwritten marking?
Print reads best. Neat handwriting may read; messy script may not. Always confirm the corner by eye before release.