Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West provided an exclusive demonstration of the cutting-edge Ion Robot. The Ion endoluminal system is Intuitive's robotic-assisted platform for minimally invasive biopsy in the lung. Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West acquired the first ION in the greater Nashville area and since has done almost 200 ION procedures.

At Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West, the ION will be used to help surgeons find and diagnose lung cancer, no matter where it is in the lung. “By combining our expertise, Dr. John Lazar, thoracic surgeon, and I can perform a biopsy, staging and surgery for tiny lung nodules (that are concerning for lung cancer) in a single procedure that is more convenient for our patients and potentially has better outcomes,” said Dr. Otis Rickman, interventional pulmonologist at Ascension Saint Thomas. The ability to do this quickly in a single anesthesia event is unique to Ascension Saint Thomas in middle Tennessee”

Attendees had the opportunity to speak with our experts and interact with the technology, gaining insight from pulmonologists,  interventional pulmonologists,  and thoracic surgeons on how the Ion robot facilitates the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer.