Pulmonology

Is Your Lung Nodule Cancerous? Here’s How the Ion Endoluminal System Can Help.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a suspicious lung nodule, the Ion endoluminal system by Intuitive may help determine if it is benign or cancerous with high precision.

What is the Ion Endoluminal System?
The Ion system is an advanced, shape-sensing robotic-assisted bronchoscopy platform developed by Intuitive, known for the da Vinci surgical systems. This cutting-edge technology allows the physician to biopsy challenging peripheral nodules with remarkable accuracy. With an ultra-thin, highly maneuverable catheter, Ion navigates deep into the lungs and provides stability for a precise biopsy. Key features include:

• Enhanced Reach: The ultra-thin catheter and integrated vision probe grant access to all parts of the lungs.
• High Precision: Shape-sensing technology offers detailed location data, holding the catheter steadily for exact biopsy tool placement.
• Flexible Maneuverability: The catheter’s 180° movement and flexible Flexision™ biopsy needle allow thorough biopsy capabilities.

Why Choose Ion for Your Lung Biopsy?
Traditional biopsy methods often involve using a CT scan and an external needle, which may pose risks such as lung collapse. Ion’s shape-sensing technology enhances diagnostic accuracy and can enable earlier lung cancer detection, often with only one minimally invasive procedure. Benefits include:

• A minimally invasive approach for hard-to-reach nodules
• Higher potential for early-stage cancer detection and improved outcomes
• Ability to mark nodules, facilitating quicker surgeries if needed

What to Expect During the Procedure
If robotic-assisted bronchoscopy with Ion is suitable for you, here’s an overview of the process:

• Your doctor will guide the Ion catheter through your airway to reach the target lung area.
• The flexible catheter accesses deep lung regions.
• Once at the biopsy location, the catheter locks in place, allowing precise tissue sample collection.

Consult with your physician to learn if Ion is the right option for your lung nodule biopsy and to explore this innovative, non-invasive diagnostic method.

Hannibal Regional offers the Illuminate AI program which is designed to enhance the detection, identification, and tracking of patients with incidental findings.  The Illuminate program utilizes cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology to analyze radiologists' reports and identify and stratify lung nodules that need additional care. By applying widely accepted guideline for managing pulmonary nodules, the AI system prioritizes cases that require immediate attention.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, but early detection significantly improves survival rates. Patients diagnosed at the earliest stage (IA-1) have a 92% average five-year survival rate. Our new investment in the Ion system’s precision-guided biopsy capabilities enhances early-stage detection, allowing for faster, life-saving interventions.  

Unique Features of Illuminate:

• Automated Analysis: The AI system reviews radiologist reports in real-time, helping to make sure potential warning signs are not overlooked.
• Proactive Patient Engagement: Nurse navigators proactively engage with patients flagged by the system, ensuring timely follow-up care.

Several types of lung diseases or chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) require clinical care by a physician or other health care professional. COPD is a chronic lung disease that gets worse over time. It's sometimes called emphysema or chronic bronchitis. COPD damages the airways in your lungs and leads to shortness of breath, impacting your work, exercise, sleep and other everyday activities.

What is pulmonary emphysema?
Emphysema is a chronic lung condition in which the air sacs (alveoli) may be:

• Destroyed
• Narrowed
• Collapsed
• Stretched
• Overinflated

Overinflation of the air sacs is a result of breakdown of the walls of the alveoli. It causes a decrease in respiratory function and breathlessness.  Damage to the air sacs is irreversible and results in permanent "holes" in the tissues of the lower lungs.

Pulmonary emphysema is part of a group of lung diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD lung diseases cause airflow blockage and breathing problems. The two most common conditions of COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

What causes pulmonary emphysema?

Emphysema does not develop suddenly, but occurs very slowly over time. It’s caused by:

• Smoking. This is the main cause.
• Exposure to air pollution, such as chemical fumes, dust, and other substances
• Irritating fumes and dusts at work
• A rare, inherited form of the disease called alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency-related pulmonary emphysema, or early onset pulmonary emphysema. AAT is produced by the liver and is a "lung protector." Nearly all people without AAT develop emphysema.