Ion is a new product for robot-assisted lung surgery. Source: Intuitive Surgical Intuitive Surgical Inc. yesterday said that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared its Ion system. The robotic endoluminal system is designed to enable doctors to conduct minimally invasive biopsies deep within the lung. Ion includes an articulating robotic catheter with an outer diameter of only 3.5 mm that is able to move 180 degrees in all directions, allowing a physician to navigate the catheter through small and tortuous airways to reach nodules. Intuitive Surgical ’s Flexision Biopsy Needle is also able to pass through tight bends as it travels through the Ion’s catheter to collect peripheral lung tissue. Other biopsy tools are also able to fit inside the catheter’s 2 mm working channel, including biopsy forceps or cytology brushes. Ion ‘s fiber-optic, shape-sensor technology provides the catheter’s precise location and shape information throughout the procedure. Intuitive said it designed the Ion system to easily integrate into existing lung nodule biopsy workflows. Ion can also integrate with existing imaging technology, such as fluoroscopy, radial-endobronchial ultrasound, and cone-beam CT. The Ion robotic system is designed to extend the reach of minimally invasive tools. Source: Intuitive Surgical “The Ion system represents Intuitive’s continued commitment to innovating for minimally invasive care and extends our focus beyond surgery,” said Intuitive Surgical CEO Gary Guthart. “At Intuitive, we innovate for need, and lung cancer is clearly a global health challenge that requires new modalities of care.” Ion to meet minimally invasive […]
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