The Ion Endoluminal System, developed by Intuitive, lets healthcare workers insert a thin and maneuverable catheter into a patient’s lung through their mouth to reach lung nodules suspected of being cancerous.

Source: Intuitive

“Ion allows us to safely, and accurately, sample these lesions and provide patients with the much-needed answers they seek,” the researchers added.

Using current biopsy methods, small lung nodules are frequently difficult to reach, thereby making it difficult to diagnose lung cancer and begin therapy. While scans are used to monitor hard-to-reach lesions, patients with suspected lung cancer may endure months of observation before the nodules are large enough for testing.

As such, the Ion system features a narrow robotic catheter that lets physicians access difficult-to-reach parts of the lungs.

Its developers explained that Ion’s picture archiving and communication system (PACS)-integrated PlanPoint software is designed to retrieve CT scans to generate 3D airway maps and devise a guided path for lung biopsies. Meanwhile, an ultrathin 3.5 mm catheter, featuring 180° articulation, navigates all lung segments and offers real-time location tracking using a fiber-optic sensor and live camera view.

Additionally, the tool’s compass feature synchronizes virtual and live imaging for accurate navigation as the software tools assist with CT-to-body divergence during the procedure.

Once the catheter is at the nodule, it will lock into place via real-time shape sensors and control algorithms, while the Flexision Needle, which is designed for difficult airways, deploys in a straight path for precise biopsies.