Ion Helps Chart Path to Earlier Lung Cancer Detection

J.B. Ladesich, MD
Dr. Ladesich earned his medical
degree from the University of
Kansas and completed his
residency at the University
of Missouri-Kansas City.

Modern technology in NKCH and Meritas Health’s bronchoscopy program can help detect lung cancer earlier and biopsy tissue faster.

The Ion robotic bronchoscopy platform from Intuitive arrived in June and is already making a difference. 

“Ion allows us to biopsy pulmonary nodules that we typically would just follow serially with CT scans the navigational technology,” said pulmonologist J.B. Ladesich, MD, from Meritas Health Pulmonary Medicine.

Cancer cells typically form in the outermost part of the lung, where the bronchial are smallest. Ion provides the opportunity to catch those potentially cancerous cells when they are tiny.

“The robotic platform is more flexible, nimble and able to reach many more masses, nodules and lesions we weren’t able to reach before,” said Janine Ramirez, bronchoscopy lab coordinator. “Now, we can catch those potentially cancerous cells when they are tiny.”

When patients arrive, they receive a CT scan of their lungs, which creates a 3D image of the organs. With that image, doctors create and follow pathways with a 3.5 mm catheter to the section of the lung they want biopsied.

“Ion’s software uses a CT scan of the lung that feeds into a computer algorithm and creates a virtual airway tree,” Dr. Ladesich said. “From there, I use a manual controller to send a robot along that path.”

Screenings with Ion take less time, which cuts down patient wait time. NKCH is the only health system with the Ion platform north of the river.

“It really is a win-win for both the physicians and the patients,” Janine said. “Patients are able to sleep in their own bed the day of the procedure. Physicians are not only able to get better information but get it faster.”

To date, three physicians at Meritas Health Pulmonary Medicine have been trained to use the Ion. With a pathology technician in the room, tissue samples can be gathered and examined in real time, with far fewer complications. Because these procedures are non-invasive, patients can recover in a few hours and go home

“Our hope is that we can diagnose lung cancer at an earlier stage,” Dr. Ladesich said. “If we catch it early enough, it may even be in a curable stage.”