Minimally Invasive Lung Biopsy with the Ion System
Robotic bronchoscopy for minimally invasive lung biopsy as an option for patients
If your doctor recommends a lung biopsy to examine an abnormal growth (tumor or nodule), there may be more than one way to perform your biopsy. Traditional options include:
The Ion endoluminal system is robotic-assisted bronchoscopy for minimally invasive biopsy. As with conventional bronchoscopy, your doctor inserts a catheter through your mouth to your lungs. Ion replaces bronchoscopy’s thick catheter and manual guidance with an ultrathin catheter, GPS-like navigation, and robotic assistance. This gives your doctor a stable, steerable system that can even travel through tiny, winding airways in the lungs’ outer edges.
Once at the nodule, your doctor guides the system to carefully remove a small amount of tissue from the nodule. Being able to collect tissue from small nodules anywhere in the lungs may help your doctor detect lung cancer at an earlier stage. Biopsies with the Ion system require general anesthesia and are generally performed as an outpatient procedure.
While it’s common to feel anxious before a lung biopsy, it may help to know that most lung nodules are not cancer. A lung biopsy may help put your mind at ease. If it is cancer, a lung biopsy might help your doctor diagnose it at an early stage.5
Be sure to talk to your doctor about the outcomes they deliver using the Ion system, as every physician’s experience is different. For example, ask about:
In addition, you can find out what to expect on the day of your lung biopsy. Ask your doctor about planning, preparation, and recovery.
Ion is for sale in the U.S.
Outside of the U.S., Ion may not have regulatory approvals in all markets. Please check with your local Intuitive representative.
Important safety information
Risks associated with bronchoscopy through an endotracheal tube and under general anesthesia are infrequent and typically minor and may include but are not limited to: sore throat, hoarseness, respiratory complications including dyspnea or hypoxemia, airway injury, bronchospasm, laryngospasm, fever, hemoptysis, chest, or lung infection including pneumonia, lung abscess, or an adverse reaction to anesthesia. Although rare, the following complications may also occur: bleeding, pneumothorax (collapsed lung), cardiac-related complications, respiratory failure, air embolism, or death. As with other medical procedures, there may be additional risks associated with the use of general anesthesia and/or endotracheal intubation that are not listed above; you should consult a healthcare professional regarding these and other potential risks.
Procedures using the Ion endoluminal system may be associated with longer procedure and/or longer anesthesia time.
Individuals’ outcomes may depend on a number of factors—including but not limited to—patient characteristics, disease characteristics, and/or physician experience.
Ion endoluminal system
The Ion endoluminal system (Model IF1000) assists the user in navigating a catheter and endoscopic tools in the pulmonary tract using endoscopic visualization of the tracheobronchial tree for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The Ion endoluminal system enables fiducial marker placement. It does not make a diagnosis and is not for pediatric use.
Information provided by the Ion endoluminal system or its components should be considered guidance only and not replace clinical decisions made by a trained physician.
The PlanPoint Software uses patient CT scans to create a 3D plan of the lung and navigation pathways for use with the Ion endoluminal system.
The Flexision Biopsy Needle is used with the Ion Endoluminal System to biopsy tissue from a target area in the lung.
Information contained herein for presentation in the U.S.
