Now Available at Great Falls Hospital
The Great Falls Hospital is pleased to announce the recent acquisition of the Ion endoluminal system. Ion is designed to address a challenging aspect of lung biopsy by enabling physicians to obtain tissue samples from deep within the lungs. The Ion system features an ultra-thin, ultra-maneuverable* catheter that allows navigation far into the peripheral lung, and unprecedented stability enables the precision needed for biopsy compared to manual techniques. *
“The Great Falls Hospital is excited to bring this revolutionary technology to Great Falls, MT, and surrounding areas. The Ion robot empowers our patients to take charge of their lung health like never before. Through a minimally invasive procedure we can detect lung nodules at early stages of growth. This is especially valuable for rural communities that traditionally have limited access to such technology. I know this invaluable addition to our hospital will be the key to a healthier Montana,” shares Mark Robinson, Chief Executive Officer at the Great Falls Hospital.
During bronchoscopy with Ion, the physician uses the controller to navigate to the target along a planned path. The catheter can articulate 180° in any direction to pass through small, difficult-to-navigate airways and tight bends to reach all 18 segments of the lung. * Ion’s peripheral vision probe provides direct vision during navigation. Once the pulmonary nodule is reached, the catheter locks in place. The Flexision™ biopsy needle, a flexible biopsy needle compatible with Ion, then passes through the catheter, even when positioned in tortuous airways. After advancing around tight radius bends of the catheter, the needle deploys into the target location on a straight path.
“Since we began performing bronchoscopies with the Ion robot, we have seen several cases of lung cancer diagnosed in their early developmental stage,” shares Dr. Megan Sisk, board-certified pulmonologist, and critical care physician at the Great Falls Hospital. “This is great news because it means patients can begin the next steps of their care sooner and with a better prognosis. I am excited to get my patients answers sooner, and more importantly, to allow them to keep their care local.”
During biopsy, Ion’s Biopsy Marker feature lets physicians systematically track multiple biopsy attempts and helps visualize different biopsy needle trajectories. If real-time confirmation of a representative tissue sample is available, the physician can redirect subsequent biopsy attempts into the confirmed target area. *
The Ion system is designed to fit easily into a bronchoscopy suite and integrate with existing technologies. Physical proximity has been considered with a design that keeps physicians close to the patient’s airways throughout the procedure. And Ion leverages existing imaging technologies with radial EBUS, fluoroscopic, virtual, and live views of the lungs unified in a single heads-up display. Ion is built on more than two decades of leadership in robotic-assisted technology by Intuitive, the maker of the da Vinci surgical system. The Ion endoluminal system allows for more precision, more reach, more stability*—and more answers.
Dr. John Mazur, pulmonologist, and Dr. Megan Sisk, pulmonologist and critical care physician, are now accepting patients for the Ion procedure. For more information on minimally invasive biopsy at the Great Falls Hospital, contact us at 406-454-2171or visit gfclinic.com.
About the Great Falls Clinic:
Proudly serving the Central Montana community since 1917, the Great Falls Clinic got its humble beginnings when four medical leaders came together to create the state’s first group medical practice with only five specialties. Over one century later the Great Falls Clinic has multiplied in size ten times over with specialties ranging from primary and pediatric care to emergency medicine and a diverse surgery team. Local and international medical staffers strive to provide the best health care to the community. The Clinic is committed to delivering compassionate and personalized care to all who choose the Great Falls Clinic and Hospital as their preferred healthcare network.
As a provider-led organization, The Great Falls Clinic and Hospital stays ahead of the curve by incorporating the latest technology and methodology into everyday practices; most importantly, the Clinic prioritizes teamwork and looks to recruit outstanding staff members who embody this value to provide the treatment and care the community deserves.
*Results based on internal Intuitive testing. Comparison to reach is relative to manual bronchoscopes. Reach is defined by airway generation access. Comparisons of precision and stability are relative to manual techniques. Stability is enabled by fiber optic sensing technology which maintains active robotic control of catheter position and corrects unwanted tip deflection.