Leica Biosystems HistoCore LIGHTNING C Laser Cassette Printer

Leica Biosystems has launched the HistoCore LIGHTNING C Laser Cassette Printer, designed to help pathology laboratories standardise critical histology workflows, improve traceability and move from sample to answer with greater speed and certainty.

Pathology laboratories are facing rising case volumes and increasing test complexity, so even small inefficiencies in early workflow steps can create large downstream delays, rework and risk. Reliable cassette identification is critical to maintaining traceability throughout the diagnostic process, yet traditional labelling methods can introduce inconsistency, manual steps and ongoing maintenance demands. As laboratories continue to advance digital pathology and explore AI-enabled tools, consistency and traceability at the front end of the workflow become increasingly important to the quality of downstream images, data and diagnostic insights.

The laser cassette printer addresses these challenges by delivering fast, consistent and durable specimen identification at the very start of the histology workflow. Designed for use with validated Leica Biosystems cassettes, the system uses high-quality UV laser printing to produce clear and durable markings, including barcodes and 2D codes, to support traceability as samples move from processing through diagnosis. With printing speeds of up to 2.5 s per cassette and capacity for up to 600 cassettes, laboratories can optimise throughput, reduce bottlenecks and maintain workflow continuity, even under growing demand.

By eliminating the need for ink and ribbons, the system helps laboratories reduce maintenance requirements, minimise downtime and lower total cost of ownership. Automated colour recognition and LIS compatibility further optimise operations by matching cassette colour to predefined templates, reducing manual intervention and helping prevent identification errors so laboratories can standardise critical foundational workflow steps.