Neon
Case and Image Data Software
Neon is an integrated part of Ikaros and Metafer and represents the next generation of case and imaging management software made by MetaSystems.
Neon is the interface for case and image data organization integrated in all Ikaros and Metafer installations. MetaSystems solutions are designed to address particular imaging and image analysis tasks. Neon collects the data from any imaging job and also from external sources and presents them in a comprehensive and versatile case management dashboard. Hence, Neon always has the most relevant information for the user at hand; fast, secure, and no matter from where the information originates. Strong data management algorithms, several convenient display modes, and many options for selecting and filtering content make Neon the perfect basis to organize large quantities of heterogeneous information.

- Integrated in all Ikaros and Metafer instances.
- Convenient interface for case data and image management.
- Configurable dashboard to clearly summarize new and currently processed cases, processing statuses, urgent cases, case statistics and much more.
- Customizable case overview with quick filters and sorting options.
- Quick search by case name, patient data, results, and many other parameters.
- Advanced search with the possibility of logically linking search terms.
- Extensive, customizable case data sheets with text, selection, multiple selection, number, and date fields.
- Many pre-configured data fields as well as the possibility to define your own data fields.
- Flexible and easy definition of import and export interfaces for data exchange with external databases.
- Graphical report editor for creating beautiful report templates with access to all data fields and images as well as external files (e.g., institute logos).
- Multi-level user management with the possibility to define own roles.
- Secure password management, encryption of all data, and complete logging of all processing steps.

In laboratories, data are usually generated from many, sometimes unrelated sources. Ikaros and Metafer have been enhanced with Neon to collect data and images, display them concisely, and merge them into an efficient and well-structured workflow. Neon reliably manages cases, images, and results of single workstations, as well as of large multi-user installations. It guarantees that all relevant information is visible whenever and wherever it is needed. Users of Ikaros and Metafer always have access to exact information about case status, history of images, analysis results, and much more. Data import and export, even with customized data fields, and global, cross-application reports facilitate daily work.
Neon helps to gain maximum control over all imaging and data handling procedures. Patients, physicians, and technicians benefit from consistent documentation, secure handling of sensitive data, and user-friendliness in all procedures. Neon's flexibility assures seamless integration with existing procedures.

Neon is prepared to create, to handle, and to archive case and image data in a highly convenient and secure manner. Neon users can set up customized data sheets to enter case data, which can contain the own user-defined data fields. Once entered, all information can be retrieved very easily, and case and/or image lists can be filtered based on any of the entered criteria. Of course, it is alternatively possible to import information from external laboratory information systems. If images are acquired using a Metafer operated slide scanning system, they can be identified by the information on their bar code labels: Neon takes care that the sample information is automatically merged with the respective case.

All data are useless if it is not possible to summarize them in a convenient and transparent way. Neon offers two strong tools to achieve this objective: the powerful case statistics package and the reporting engine with graphic template editor. The statistics package can be used to query all data and to summarize the results graphically (e.g., as a histogram), and as tables. Results of queries can also be implemented in report templates, which can also contain results of Metafer scans, images from the Ikaros karyotyping module, and of course any information entered to the case data sheet. Reports can be printed, saved as a PDF file, or exported to external software, thus, allowing providing the results of your analyses to your clients, or sharing them with colleagues everywhere in the world.Neon cares for data integrity and security. Each installation comes with an integrated user management, which can be activated on different security levels. In smaller workplaces, where secure user management is not required, it is possible to switch off the password protection. In labs with high security standards, users are required to type in usernames and passwords. Features like minimum password lengths, password expiry dates, and required password formats can be set by the administrator.
Access rights can be precisely defined and assigned to certain user groups. Administrators can define (and delete) new user groups and provide each group individually with the required rights.
Neon routinely generates several log files. In addition to the logs with system events, there are also error logs, server logs, and case histories. The latter contain each single change of case related files, either of images or of case data, and can be accessed conveniently from the case view. Users with sufficient rights can even add history entries here, for example, to document actions that happened outside Neon.
Metafer SCAN
P-2040-001-MS
The Metafer SCAN module provides scanning functionality and serves as a basis for complete automated scanning systems. This includes the support of suitable scanning hardware (such as microscope, motorized stage, camera), the implementation of intelligent auto-focus algorithms, coordinate management, relocation function, and more. Includes Metafer BASE.
Ikaros BASE M
P-0040-001-MS
Ikaros BASE M software license for manual acquisition of microscopy images in brightfield (BF) illumination.
Ikaros BASE C
P-0040-002-MS
Ikaros BASE C software license for manual acquisition of microscopy images in fluorescence (FL) illumination and color image analysis.
Metafer RCDetect
P-2040-008-MS
The analysis module RCDetect is software for the detection of rare cells based on specific staining patterns. It uses a special algorithm that combines highest speeds with detection precision. Requires a Metafer basis module.
Metafer CometScan
P-2040-009-MS
Metafer CometScan is an application package for the automated evaluation of cells prepared with the Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis (Comet) assay. The software evaluates the cells based on the intensities and automatically calculates parameters such as the Tail Moment, the Tail Moment (Olive), the lengths of head and tail, and many more. Requires a Metafer basis module.
Metafer DCScore
P-2040-010-MS
The application package Metafer DCScore finds dicentric chromosomes in images of metaphases, counts them and displays them in the image. The software processes both Giemsa-stained chromosomes and those stained with PNA probes for telomere and centromere regions. Requires the analysis module Metafer Metaphase.
Metafer MNScoreX
P-2040-015-MS
The application package Metafer MNScoreX finds binucleated cells prepared for the cytokinesis block micronucleus assay and quantifies the micronuclei in these cells. All evaluated cells are displayed in an image gallery and the number of micronuclei is shown in the image corners. Requires a Metafer basis module.
Metafer TissueFISH
P-2040-016-MS
The application package Metafer TissueFISH extends Metafer with functions that are especially useful for the evaluation of FISH signals in tissue sections. Metafer TissueFISH offers the user an optimized environment in which cells in the tissue can be segmented, selected, and evaluated. The results of the evaluation are immediately visible in a small cell gallery. Requires the analysis module Metafer MetaCyte.
Metafer SpermFinder DNN
P-2040-017-MS
The application package Metafer SpermFinder DNN uses artificial intelligence (so-called Deep Neural Networks; DNN) to enable a scanning system for the detection of sperm cells in forensic specimens. The module supports specimens stained with the so-called ‘Christmas Tree’ staining (Nuclear Fast Red/PIC), as well as the Baecchi staining (Acid Fuchsin and Methylene Blue). Requires a Metafer basis module.
Ikaros Karyo M
P-0040-003-MS
Ikaros Karyo M contains features for Digital Karyotyping including image enhancement and processing, the separation and assignment of chromosomes, and image annotation for review. Brightfield and cells can be analyzed.
Ikaros Karyo C
P-0040-005-MS
Ikaros Karyo C contains features for intensity measurement, pseudo color display, and image annotation for review. It is used in fluorescence-in-situ hybridization (FISH) techniques including multicolor FISH (mFISH).
Metafer Remote Analysis
P-2040-022-MS
The technical module Metafer Remote Analysis is software that can pass image analysis tasks for Metafer generated data to a Metafer instance installed on another workstation. In this way, the Metafer SCAN installation can be relieved of time-consuming calculations. Requires Metafer SCAN or Metafer IMAS for generating the images and a Metafer BASE installation with suitable analysis module.
Metafer VSViewer
P-2040-026-MS
In the viewer module Metafer VSViewer, composite microscope images as generated by Metafer VSlide can be displayed. Metafer VSViewer offers a large number of different tools for this purpose, which allow easy navigation in the image, virtual focusing, annotating features in the image, as well as displaying color separations and images with modified colors.
Ikaros Review
P-0040-007-MS
Ikaros Review contains image display for review, image annotation, and data field editing.
The list above is not exhaustive, and technical data may change. Please contact your MetaSystems representative for further explanations and details.
Legal Note
MetaSystems software and system products are classified as in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVD) in the European Union in accordance with In Vitro Diagnostics Regulation (EU) 2017/746 or In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device Directive 98/79/EC, respectively, and carry the CE label unless otherwise indicated. Use all MetaSystems IVD products only within the scope of their intended purpose.
MetaSystems products are used in many countries worldwide. Depending on the regulations of the respective country or region, some products may not be used for clinical diagnostics.
Some hardware components supplied by other manufacturers are not included in MetaSystems IVD products and are therefore not IVD medical devices.
Please contact us for further information.