Cutting-Edge Bronchoscopy Offered at BSA Health System

AMARILLO, TX (May 12, 2023) — Today, BSA Health System performed its first Intuitive Ion procedure. BSA is the first healthcare provider in the Texas Panhandle to use the Intuitive Ion endoluminal system. Ion is used to perform robotic-assisted bronchoscopy to take a closer and less invasive look at suspicious lung nodules. The system can reach all 18 segments of the lungs to obtain a biopsy, allowing for more precision, more reach and more answers.

“Early detection of lung cancer is the result of multiple diagnostic options made available to our physicians,” said BSA Chief Medical Officer Michael Lamanteer, MD. “We are proud that BSA is the first in the region to offer this cutting-edge system that enables our physicians to perform biopsies of small nodules within the periphery of the lung, which are not all currently accessible through traditional bronchoscopy.”

Ion is designed to address a challenging aspect of lung biopsy by enabling BSA’s specifically trained physicians new access to small targets deep within the lung. The Ion’s ultra-thin catheter and integrated vision probe provide our physicians with direct vision to reach traditionally less accessible regions of the lung. Its shape-sensing technology provides precise location and shape information throughout the entire biopsy process. Ion allows our physicians to perform needle aspiration with a less invasive procedure.

 “BSA has chosen the Ion robotic-assisted bronchoscopy system because it provides additional reach, stability, and precision during the biopsy process,” Dr. Lamanteer explained. “We are pleased to expand our lung screening program at BSA, so that our patients may remain close to home and receive the diagnostic answers they need.”

For more information about the lung screening program at BSA, please visit bsahs.org/services/pulmonology.