Pulmonology

Helping You Breathe Easy

Our pulmonologists are skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disorders.

Our state-of-the-art pulmonology services include:

• CAT scans to detect cancerous cells in the lungs
• Chest scanning to detect pneumonia, lung cancer, tuberculosis and scarring of the lung tissue
• Nuclear lung scans to detect blood clots in the lungs
• Pulmonary function testing to measure how well the lungs inhale and exhale air, to determine the efficiency of the lungs' ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream and to diagnose lung disorders
• Ventilation and perfusion scans to detect blood clots in the lungs, to look for abnormal circulation in the blood vessels of the lungs, and to test lung function

Ion Endoluminal System for Lung Nodules

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with a suspicious lung nodule and want to know with certainty if it is benign or cancerous, we are happy to share with you information about the Ion endoluminal system by Intuitive.

What is the Ion endoluminal system?

Ion is used to perform robotic-assisted bronchoscopy to take a closer and less invasive look at suspicious lung nodules. This system can reach all 18 segments of the lungs to obtain a biopsy. Ion allows for more precision, more reach and more answers.

The ultra-thin catheter and integrated vision probe provide direct vision to reach all parts of the lungs. The shape-sensing technology provides precise location and shape information throughout the whole biopsy process. Ion allows our surgeons to perform needle aspiration in a non-invasive procedure rather than having to puncture the chest wall.

For more information about the Ion endoluminal system, please call 806-212-4535.

If you and your physician decide that robotic-assisted bronchoscopy is right for you, then here is what happens:

Three-dimensional mapping

Ion begins with PlanPoint software, which uses a CT scan of the patient’s lungs to generate 3D airway trees. An interface that allows our pulmonary physicians to identify a target and create a pre-planned path to the lung nodule.

Navigation to lung nodule target

During the robot-assisted bronchoscopy with Ion, the pulmonary physician uses Ion’s controller to navigate to the target lung nodule via the pre-planned path. With Ion’s ultra-thin robotic catheter and advanced maneuverability, the physician can navigate far into the peripheral lung through the patient’s airway to the area of biopsy.

The small and flexible catheter can reach all segments of the lung. Even areas far into the outer lung.

Lung nodule biopsy

Once at the target location of the nodule for biopsy, the catheter locks in place. The pulmonary physician will then insert biopsy tools through the catheter to take a sample of the patient’s lung tissue.

Talk with your physician to find out if you are a good candidate for the non-invasive lung nodule biopsy.