Not all lung spots (nodules), are cancerous. More than half are not, and
they can have many causes. They can be caused by smoking, scar tissue,
or old infections. To find out if a nodule is cancerous, a small piece
of tissue must be examined. A bronchoscopy helps your doctor determine
if a lung nodule is cancerous.
Robotic bronchoscopy is an innovation that aids in the fight against lung
cancer. Used to view the inside of the lungs and obtain a tissue sample
for biopsy, the goal of Auris Health’s Monarch™ Platform is
to enable the physician to diagnosis small and hard-to-reach nodules in
the periphery of the lung earlier and with increased accuracy.
Technology integrates the latest advancements in robotics, software, data
science, and endoscopy (the use of small cameras and tools to enter the
body through its natural openings).
“Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, in
part because it has no symptoms in its initial stages. Because the Monarch
Platform provides improved reach, vision and control for bronchoscopic
procedures, it holds potential to help physicians to make a diagnosis
earlier,” said thoracic surgeon Michael Szwerc, MD, Medical Director
of the Center for Lung, Esophageal and Thoracic Disorders. “We are
excited about the promise of this technology to offer a more hopeful future
for our patients with lung cancer.”
There are a variety of diagnostic options currently available for lung
cancer, but they all have limitations. This new technology combines traditional
endoscopic views into the lung with computer-assisted navigation based
on 3-D models of the patient’s own unique lung anatomy.
