Biopsy de-identification is the removal of patient identifiers from the file. UK GDPR Art. 9 and the DPA 2018 govern health data. anonym.plus runs it on your machine. The histology stays readable, but the text names no one.
When this applies
A core sample case suits a tumour board talk. The findings can stay, yet the name, the dates, and the specimen code have to be hidden first.
How anonym.plus handles it
- Open the file (PDF, DOCX, or scan) on your device.
- Local OCR reads any scanned page so printed text is found.
- The tool flags names, dates, IDs, and contact lines.
- Check each flag and keep the tissue findings.
- Black out each ID, or swap it for a token.
- Save the clean version. The source stays with you.
What you need to provide
- The file (PDF, DOCX, TXT, or image scan).
- An operator: Redact (remove), Replace (swap), or Mask (partial).
- Optional: a name map for paired cases.
Patient data entity types detected
| Category | anonym.plus entity type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Names | PERSON | Hassan Ali → [PATIENT_1] |
| Dates | DATE_TIME | Sampled 27/02/2026 → [DATE] |
| Record IDs | MEDICAL_RECORD_NUMBER | MRN 731556 → [MRN] |
| Specimen | ID | Specimen B26-0455 → [SPECIMEN] |
| Lab | ORGANIZATION | Leeds Teaching Hospitals → [LAB] |
| Contact | PHONE_NUMBER | +44 113 243 3144 → [PHONE] |
Compliance achieved
- Anonymisation under UK GDPR Art. 9 & DPA 2018.
- Once truly anonymous, the file leaves UK GDPR scope under Recital 26.
- Assessed against the ICO motivated-intruder test.
- Working files are kept safe with AES-256-GCM.
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Limitations & cautions
Redaction blacks out text for good. Keep your own secure copy if you may need the names later. A rare diagnosis plus a small area can still hint at a person.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Redact and Replace?
Redact removes the value and leaves a black mark. Replace puts a steady label in its place. Redact suits a release; Replace keeps the text flowing.
Are specimen codes counted as identifiers?
Yes. A specimen code is a unique number. It can trace back to one case, so the tool flags it for you to redact or swap.
Does the diagnosis line stay intact?
Yes. Clinical wording is left alone. Only patient details change, so the histology and grade read as the pathologist wrote them.