Emory Johns Creek Hospital has introduced a new non-surgical robot, known as the ION bronchoscopy system, to aid in the detection of lung cancer. The hospital recently hosted a demonstration event for the technology, which is designed to help clinicians biopsy lung nodules that may indicate cancer.
According to Stephanie Hampton, MD, assistant professor of pulmonary and critical care at Emory University School of Medicine, traditional methods have limited clinicians by the size and location of nodules they could biopsy. “This new technology has improved our ability to access smaller and difficult-to-reach nodules and diagnose lung cancer earlier, which often leads to a better prognosis for patients,” Hampton said. “If we do suspect lung cancer, the ION also allows us to do multiple procedures at one time.”
The ION system uses minimally invasive fiberoptic technology and can biopsy nodules as small as 5 to 6 millimeters. Medical experts note that lung cancer is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage but emphasize that earlier detection is possible with this tool.
Rachel Medbery, MD, thoracic surgeon at Emory Healthcare and assistant professor in the Department of Surgery at Emory University School of Medicine, highlighted the importance of early diagnosis: “The ION allows doctors to safely and accurately biopsy small nodules from within the airways of the lung. If lung cancer can be caught early and then removed, many patients do not need chemotherapy and will remain cancer free for a long time.”
The ION bronchoscopy system is now available at several Emory Healthcare facilities including Emory University Hospital, Emory University Hospital Midtown, Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital, and Emory Johns Creek Hospital.
