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Robotic-assisted Bronchoscopy

Ion Endoluminal System

Is my lung nodule cancerous?

If you or someone you know has a suspicious lung nodule or lung mass and want to know with certainty if it is benign or cancerous, you may be a candidate for robotic-assisted bronchoscopy.

What is robotic-assisted bronchoscopy?

Robotic-assisted bronchoscopy uses shape sensing technology that allows our experts to biopsy suspicious peripheral nodules and masses. The system features an ultra-thin, ultra-maneuverable catheter that allows navigation far into the peripheral lung, and with unprecedented stability, enabling greater biopsy precision compared to traditional navigational techniques. It features:

Reach

The ultra-thin catheter and integrated vision probe provide the physician direct vision to reach all parts of the lungs.

Precision

The shape-sensing technology provides precise location and shape information throughout the whole biopsy process. The system holds the catheter in place for precise placement for biopsy tools.

Flexibility

The catheter can move 180° in all directions and a flexible biopsy needle help improves navigation through the lung.
 

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Interested in robotic-assisted bronchoscopy?

Talk with your primary care provider to find out if you are a good candidate for minimally invasive lung nodule biopsy.

Don’t have a primary care provider? Find one of our Trinity Health providers accepting new patients.

How robotic-assisted bronchoscopy benefits patients:

Prior to robotic-assisted bronchoscopy, biopsy of peripheral lung lesions was performed using live CT scan imaging and a needle, entering the chest wall and lung from outside the body. However, this method of biopsy is associated with significant risk of collapsing the lung, which can require hospitalization for some patients.

Compared to previous navigational methods, the flexibility and shape-sensing capabilities of the robotic-assisted bronchoscopy catheter improved diagnostic capabilities, enabling a more precise biopsy. When used with lung cancer screening, robotic-assisted bronchoscopy supports early diagnosis and staging of lung cancer, often with just one minimally invasive procedure.

Benefits include:

  • Minimally invasive method for lung biopsies
  • Ability to biopsy previously inaccessible nodules
  • Ability to catch lung cancer at an earlier stage, resulting in improved outcomes and survival rates
  • Marking lung nodules to make surgery quicker

What will my physician do?

If you and your doctor decide that robotic-assisted bronchoscopy is right for you, here is what may happen.

  • During the procedure, your physician will guide an ultra-thin catheter through your airway to the area of your lung in need of biopsy.
  • The small, flexible catheter can reach all segments of the lung—even far into the outer lung.
  • The catheter locks in place at the location of the nodule that will be biopsied. Your physician will insert biopsy tools through the catheter to take a sample of your lung tissue.