Saint Francis Hospital Adds 3D Imaging Technology to Help Diagnose Lung Cancer Earlier

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Saint Francis Hospital has become the first in Connecticut to combine Cios Spin, a state-of-the-art 3D imaging system, with the Ion endoluminal system for robotic bronchoscopy, enabling physicians to detect and diagnose lung cancer early.

Cios Spin, produced by Siemens Healthineers, is a mobile 3D imaging system, which allows doctors to pinpoint the exact location of a suspicious lung nodule. Prior to integrating the Cios Spin during an Ion procedure, a CT scan of the chest was taken to map a pathway to the nodule. By integrating Cios Spin with Ion, physicians are now able to navigate within the lung with even greater precision, with real-time, CT-like images.

“Performing lung nodule biopsies through the airway is not only safer for the patient, but this system also allows us to determine a stage of cancer as well as ruling in or out the possibility of cancer in the lymph nodes,” said Anil Magge, M.D., Director of Interventional Pulmonology at Saint Francis Hospital. “Combining Ion and Cios Spin is helping us provide life-changing care to our patients. Detecting and treating cancerous nodules earlier greatly improves patient outcomes. We are excited to be the first in the state to provide these minimally invasive diagnostics in a single procedure.”

Dr. Magge and the interventional pulmonology team at Saint Francis were also the first in Connecticut to use the Ion system, performing the first procedure on October 11, 2022. Since then, they have completed over 250 procedures for patients in need of lung biopsies in difficult to reach areas of the lung. The Ion system features an ultra-thin, ultra-maneuverable catheter that allows navigation far into the lung, addressing a challenging aspect of lung biopsy. Along with unparalleled stability, this enables the precision needed for biopsy compared to other technologies.

During bronchoscopy with Ion, the physician uses a console to navigate to the target within the lung along a pre-planned pathway. The catheter can move 180° in any direction to pass through small, difficult to navigate airways to reach the lung nodule of concern. Ion’s peripheral vision probe provides direct vision during navigation. Once at the desired location, the catheter locks into place and biopsy tools are then passed through the catheter to take a sample of the nodule.

For more information on minimally invasive lung biopsy options at Trinity Health Of New England, visit www.trinityhealthofne.org/ion.