St. Mary Medical Center has invested in advanced cancer care solutions and life-enhancing technology with the minimally invasive Ion robotic-assisted bronchoscopy system.
“Our goal is to advance screenings and medical care to reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer,” said Janice Ryba, CEO of St. Mary Medical Center. “We are thrilled to offer the Ion system and expect outcomes with this program to be exceptional.”
The Intuitive Ion endoluminal system is designed to address a challenging aspect of lung biopsy by enabling physicians to obtain tissue samples from deep within the lung. The Ion system features an ultra-thin, ultra-maneuverable catheter that allows navigation far into the peripheral lung, and unprecedented stability enables the precision needed for biopsy compared to manual techniques.
During bronchoscopy with Ion, a certified physician uses the controller to navigate to the target along a digitally planned path. The catheter can articulate 180 degrees in any direction to pass through small, difficult-to-navigate airways and around tight bends to reach all 18 segments of the lung.
“The investment in this technology complements our robotic-assisted surgical program, enabling patients to receive all care – from biopsy to surgery – at St. Mary Medical Center,” Ryba continued.
Ion is built on more than two decades of success in robotic-assisted technology by Intuitive, the maker of the da Vinci robotic surgical system.
“With Ion, the procedure allows for more precision, more reach, more stability – and more answers sooner,” said Bilal Safadi, MD, an Ion-certified pulmonologist with Community Care Network, Inc. on staff at St. Mary Medical Center. “Our patients benefit from diagnosis and treatment in the same day rather than having biopsies first and scheduling surgery for a later date. This is crucial to early treatment. ”
The Ion system is one of the numerous comprehensive cancer care options at the hospitals of Community Healthcare System, which includes Community Hospital in Munster; St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago; St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart and Community Stroke & Rehabilitation Center in Crown Point. For more information about lung cancer care at the hospitals of Community Healthcare System, visit COMHS.org.