Robotic Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy
What is the Ion Endoluminal System by Intuitive?
A robotic-assisted endoluminal platform for minimally invasive peripheral lung biopsy
How does this technology benefit patients?
- This technology is a Minimally invasive approach for performing lung biopsies
- This new innovation gives the Pulmonologist the ability to biopsy nodules previously inaccessible.
- By using this breakthrough technology the physician now has the capacity to catch lung cancer at an earlier stage, resulting in improved outcomes and survival rates for patients
- Enjoy a significantly improved quality of life compared to untreated patients.
How does the Robotic Bronchoscopy Procedure Work?
Prior to the procedure, your pulmonologist from Miami Pulmonary Specialists utilizes PlanPoint software, which utilizes a CT scan of the lungs to generate 3D airway images which will create a pre-planned path to the pulmonary nodule. The plan is loaded directly into the Ion’s controller to guide during the procedure.
During the bronchoscopy, the physicians at Miami Pulmonary Specialist use Ion’s controller to navigate to the nodule, utilizing the pre-planned path. The Ion’s ultra-thin robotic catheter can move 180 degrees in all directions and can navigate through the lung to reach nodules in any airway segment
With the Ion’s vision probe, the pulmonologist gains real-time vision of the airway. A fiber optic shape sensor measures the full shape of the catheter hundreds of times per second, providing real-time precise location and shape information throughout entire process.
Once the pulmonary nodule is reached, the catheter is locked in place. Ion’s Flexision biopsy needle was custom designed to pass through the catheter, even when positioned around very tight bends. After advancing through the airways, the needle is utilized to collect tissue from the mass or nodule.
Dr. Hernandez, a leading Pulmonologist at Miami Pulmonary Specialists says “the combined application of robotic bronchoscopy with cone-beam CT and augmented fluoroscopy is a major breakthrough in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with suspected lung cancer. Miami Pulmonary Specialists are leaders in diagnosing and treating lung disease, including lung cancer, and this new advancement further expands the innovative, leading-edge treatment options available to our South Florida patients.”