Reviewed by: Ella Walton
New robotic technology at USA Health aims to speed up lung cancer diagnosis
Reading time: 3 minutes
USA Health University Hospital in Mobile now offers a robotic system to help doctors detect lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.
What is robotic bronchoscopy?
The Intuitive Ion Robotic Bronchoscopy system uses 3D mapping, robotic navigation and real-time location tracking to guide doctors through the lungs’ airways to small nodules that can be hard to reach with conventional bronchoscopy. It’s paired with AI Illuminate CT software and CT cone beam imaging.
Robert Petrossian, M.D., director of Interventional Pulmonology at USA Health, said the system gives doctors more control when reaching those spots.
“It allows us to approach these areas with greater control and stability while obtaining tissue samples that can help us make a diagnosis. For patients, this can mean a clearer path from an abnormal scan to understanding what’s causing it and what comes next.”
Robert Petrossian, M.D., director of Interventional Pulmonology at USA Health
How lung nodule biopsies work
Once doctors reach a nodule, they collect tissue samples for on-site evaluation and pathology analysis to determine whether it’s cancerous. Real-time assessment also helps confirm they collected enough tissue, which can reduce the need for repeat procedures.
The new AI Illuminate CT software also scans all chest CTs for incidental lung nodules and flags suspicious ones. Lung cancer is often found through imaging, including CT scans done as part of screening.
Lung cancer care at USA Health
The technology joins USA Health’s existing lung cancer program, where specialists in pulmonology, thoracic surgery, radiology, pathology and medical oncology work together on treatment plans, said Brian Persing, M.D., director of the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute.
How to learn more about lung nodule evaluation
Patients can ask their physician whether robotic bronchoscopy may be appropriate or contact USA Health Pulmonology.
- Phone: 251-471-5890
- Where: 2451 University Hospital Dr. Mobile, AL 36617
Other Mobile hospitals, including Mobile Infirmary Medical Center and Springhill Medical Center, also offer Ion robotic bronchoscopy, giving the Mobile area several options for advanced lung biopsies close to home.
