Robotic-assisted lung biopsy as a minimally invasive option for patients
You have options
If you recently learned you have a suspicious nodule (abnormal growth) on your lung, you may find yourself struggling to cope with the uncertainty of whether the nodule is benign or cancerous. Study results published in a 2015 medical paper show that an estimated 1.5 million people every year in the U.S. could have a lung nodule identified. Of those, about 60,000 people may receive a new lung cancer diagnosis within two years of learning about the suspicious nodule.1
While most nodules are benign,2 your doctor may recommend additional procedures to confirm a diagnosis. The important thing to remember is you have options. Your physician can help you understand all of your options including procedures to biopsy the nodule. If you’re researching lung biopsy methods or your doctor suggests robotic-assisted bronchoscopy with Ion, these pages can help you understand what the Ion system is and how doctors use it to collect samples for testing.
These pages are intended to provide patients with information about robotic-assisted bronchoscopy with the Ion endoluminal system. It’s important to remember that Intuitive does not provide medical advice. After discussing all options with your doctor, only you and your doctor can determine whether a lung biopsy with Ion is appropriate for your situation.
About Ion
About lung biopsy
What to expect
- Gould MK, Tang T, Liu IL, et al. Recent Trends in the Identification of Incidental Pulmonary Nodules. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2015;192(10):1208-1214. doi:10.1164/rccm.201505-0990OC
- What is a Lung Nodule? Patient Education Information Series. American Thoracic Society. Web. Accessed 22 May 2023
- Comparisons of precision, reach, and stability are relative to manual techniques. Reach is defined by airway generation access. Stability is enabled by fiber optic sensing technology which maintains active robotic control of catheter position and corrects unwanted tip deflection. Precision is the ability to place a biopsy tool in the desired location consistently. Results based on internal testing.
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.
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