MercyOne Reveals Iowa's First Minimally Invasive Lung Biopsies Technology
July 23, 2020
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center now has a robotic-assisted platform, Ion by Intuitive, enabling doctors to perform minimally invasive lung biopsies. This new technology, in addition to the new CyberKnife® S7™ System, the MercyOne Lung Cancer Clinic and Lung Cancer Screening Program, provides a full continuum of state-of-the-art treatment options for lung cancer patients. MercyOne Des Moines is now one of only 30 medical centers in the country, and the only in Iowa, to be able to perform minimally invasive peripheral lung biopsy using robotic-assisted technology.
Earlier this week, the medical center’s endoscopy team used the Intuitive Surgical’s ION Endoluminal System to perform MercyOne’s first two robotic-assisted bronchoscopies, with great success. A bronchoscopy is a procedure to look directly at the airways in the lungs using a thin, lighted tube usually inserted through the throat.
“The Ion is a quantum leap forward to assist bronchoscopy teams in accomplishing biopsies of lesions that were previously unable to be diagnosed at an early disease stage,” Dr. Brad Wilcox, of MercyOne Des Moines Pulmonary & Infectious Disease Care explained. “It’s important to diagnose masses or nodules that are cancer as early as possible because it has real implications for survival rates and quality of life for patients. We treat patients with pulmonary nodules and masses frequently and it is stressful for patients to wonder if their masses are cancerous. With the Ion Robotic Assisted Bronchoscopy system, we can obtain answers with greater accuracy, earlier in the disease process and provide a low risk profile.”
The Ion has an ultra-thin, easily controllable catheter that can move 180 degrees in all directions. Doctors can use the catheter to navigate through the lung to reach nodules in any airway segment. The robot’s flexible biopsy needle can also pass through very tight bends via the catheter to collect tissue in the peripheral lung, enabling a more precise biopsy and a safer experience for patients.
“MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center is proud to be one of the first community hospitals in the country to adopt this new technology. This is another example of our continued dedication to innovation and advanced technologies so Central Iowa residents can stay close to home and receive the most advanced care possible,” said Karl Keeler, MercyOne Central Iowa President.
The new machine is funded by the Campaign for the MercyOne Richard Deming Cancer Center.
“The power of philanthropy to fund lifesaving, innovative equipment is a priority of the Campaign for the Richard Deming Cancer Center. We are thankful to our generous donors who have made this new technology possible to help treat and save Iowans’ lives,” said Shannon Cofield, President of MercyOne Des Moines Foundation.
