Advanced Robotic Bronchoscopy Technology
Dignity Health of Arizona, offers a minimally invasive robotic-assisted bronchoscopy procedure. With accurate precision and stability, Robotic bronchoscopy enables physicians to obtain tissue samples from deep within the lung, addressing a challenging aspect of lung biopsy.
During the Robotic bronchoscopy, your physician guides an ultra-thin catheter through your airway to the area of your lung for biopsy. The small, flexible catheter can reach all segments of the lung — even far into the outer lung. Once at the nodule for biopsy the catheter locks in place. Your physician inserts biopsy tools through the catheter to take a sample of your lung tissue.
Robotic bronchoscopy platform is designed for minimally invasive lung biopsies. This advanced system allows doctors to access all 18 segments of the lung to obtain tissue samples with greater precision and reach. Ion achieves this through:
- Enhanced Reach: An ultra-thin, maneuverable catheter with an integrated vision probe allows your doctor to directly visualize and access even the most remote areas of your lungs.
- Unmatched Precision: Shape-sensing technology provides real-time location and shape information, ensuring accurate placement of the biopsy tools. The system also holds the catheter steady for precise sampling.
- Exceptional Flexibility: The catheter can bend 180° in all directions, and the Flexision™ biopsy needle further facilitates tissue sampling.
If a spot or nodule has been found on your lung, your doctor might suggest a lung biopsy. While most lung nodules (over 95%) are not cancerous, a biopsy can provide a definitive diagnosis. A biopsy involves taking a small tissue sample from the nodule, which is then examined under a microscope to determine if cancer or another condition is present. There are different methods for performing a lung biopsy, and the best approach for you will depend on factors like the nodule's size, location, and your overall lung health. Your doctor may recommend one of the following biopsy methods:
- Surgical biopsy
- Transthoracic needle aspiration
- Manual bronchoscopy with or without electromagnetic navigation
- Robotic-assisted minimally invasive biopsy with IonRhythm irregularities.
How do I Know if I Need a Biopsy?
Lung cancer is a serious threat, but early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes. Our program utilizes low-dose CT scans to identify lung cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. The CT scan is quick and painless. After the scan, a dedicated team of specialists, including radiologists, surgeons, and oncologists, will carefully review the results. If further investigation is needed, your doctor will discuss the possibility of a biopsy with you.