James W. Bacus, Ph.D.
Summary of Professional Experience
Currently with Smart Billiard Lighting. Since 2014 to current. Co-founded SmartBilliard Lighting in November of 2013 with James V. Bacus and Thomas T. Karabatsos. The company is developing a pool table lighting system with video cameras and computers built into the light; to enable recording of game play, tracking of ball movement, and to interface with the Internet; opening up new markets, and bringing pool and billiards into the modern Internet world.
Fourteen years with Bacus Laboratories. From 1994 to 2008. Co-founded Bacus Laboratories with James V. Bacus in 1994. The company invented virtual microscopy (see US patents 6,272,235 and 6,396,941and the 10 additional patents included in references 31-43 under Patents). The BLISS system was developed for acquiring virtual microscope slides, and the WebSlide Server, Browser and ActiveX Viewer were developed for viewing virtual microscope slides over the Internet. This was the first system for virtual microscopy in pathology and was developed during the period of rapid Internet development worldwide. The Company also developed methods to measure preinvasive cancer development and conducted several Phase I and II clinical trials with the National Cancer Institute to measure the effectiveness of various chemopreventive agents. Bacus Laboratories created the first market and successful business for the replacement of microscopes by virtual microscopy in medical education, i.e. a virtual slide server, viewer and virtual slide collection with an annual license business model. Bacus Laboratories was successful as a business and was sold to Olympus America Inc in 2006. President of Bacus Laboratories as a wholly owned subsidiary of Olympus for 2 years. During the 14 years with Bacus Labs 11 patents and 9 scientific publications related to image analysis of preinvasive neoplasia, virtual microscopy and tissue microarray (TMA) imaging.
Ten years with Cell Analysis Systems. From 1982 to 1992. Founded Cell Analysis Systems in 1982. The company developed the CAS200 for DNA ploidy and immunostain analysis. This was the first system for image analysis in Pathology and for quantitative tests to replace subjective pathology visual inspection. This was also in the period of the introduction of monoclonal antibodies and immunostaining in pathology. Cell Analysis Systems was very successful, achieved 90% market share and was sold to Becton Dickenson in 1992. Division President for Becton Dickinson for 2 years. During the 10 years with Cell Analysis 20 patents related to image analysis, DNA ploidy and immunohistochemistry analysis. The CAS200 system was sold worldwide by Cell Analysis Systems in the mid 1980s and later by Becton Dickinson through 1994.
Twelve years at Rush Medical Center. From 1970 to 1982. Appointments in the Department of Medicine and the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Last position, Full Professor of Medicine and Senior Scientist. During the years at Rush Medical Center 8 patents and 35 scientific publications. Research in image analysis, with applications in; cervical cytology screening, psychophysical testing of human perception, methods of red blood cell analysis and anemia diagnosis. Developed the first Automated Leukocyte Differential counter using image analysis and pattern recognition techniques, based on Ph.D. thesis. Licensed technology to Corning Glass Company and developed with Corning the LARC “Leukocyte Automatic Recognition Counter”. The LARC instrument was sold worldwide by Corning in the 1970s.
Past Memberships and Editorial boards
Academy of Clinical Laboratory Physicians and Scientists
American Society of Hematology
International Society of Diagnostic and Quantitative Pathology
Analytical and Quantitative Cytology editorial board (1979 ‑ 1985)
Cell Biophysics editorial board (1979 ‑ 1982)
Previous Professional Committee Work:
National Cancer Institute
Member of Committee on Cytology Automation 1975 to 1977.
Center for Disease Control
Task Force on Automated Differential Counters 1975.
National Science Foundation
Member of Automation Research Council, 1976.
National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS)
Subcommittee on Quantitative Cellular Hematology
Subcommittee on Calibration and Control in Hematology (Chairman)
American Society for Testing Materials
Coordinating Committee for Particle Metrology and Standard Reference Materials
Society of Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)
Board of Directors (Chicago Regional Chapter), 1996 ‑ 1997.