Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy^™

Traditional Bronchoscopy
What is iLogic electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy?
What happens during electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy?
Recovery & risks
Am I eligible for iLogic?

Traditional Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy is a procedure where the major air passages of the lungs are examined through a thin lighted tube called a bronchoscope. This allows a physician to evaluate the lungs and collect small tissue samples (biopsy) to diagnose lung disease and lung cancer. What are its limitations? Traditional bronchoscopy cannot reach the distant regions of the lung, where more than two-thirds of all lung lesions are found. Unlike traditional bronchoscopy, Electromagnetic Navigational Bronchoscopy (ENB) uses GPS-like technology to navigate special tools deep into the lungs. This allows physicians to take remote tissue samples that can lead to earlier diagnosis and staging of lung abnormalities, this process can also be used to place markers in the lung for the CyberKnife® Robotic Radiosurgery System, a non-invasive alternative to surgery for the treatment of both cancerous and non-cancerous tumors.

What is i·Logic™ Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy (ENB)™?

iLogic is a minimally invasive procedure that does not carry the risks often associated with surgery. The iLogic System provides the possibility to detect lung cancer early, even before symptoms are evident, enhancing treatment options for patients. Similar to GPS-like technology, the iLogic System uses electromagnetic navigation to guide the physician through the patient’s airways. This allows the physician to take tissue samples in regions of the lungs that are not reachable with traditional bronchoscopy. Until now, physicians have relied on needle biopsy or surgery to take tissue samples – both of which can cause complications.

Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy (ENB) extends the reach the bronchoscope to regions deep within the lung enabling physicians to locate small lung lesions for diagnostic testing and potential treatment. The system uses natural airway access, and implements proprietary software and electromagnetic technology.

ENB is typically an outpatient procedure and minimizes the need for more invasive surgical procedures to access lung lesions in the distant regions of the lung. These invasive procedures may require an inpatient hospital stay or cause complications such as collapsed lung (pneumothorax). ENB also provides the ability to detect lung disease and lung cancer earlier, even before symptoms are evident, enhancing treatment options for patients.

What Happens During Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy?

A physician locates a lesion (spot) that is found deep in the lung on an X-ray, a CT-Scan or PET-CT. The patient’s CT is loaded into planning software that creates a 3D roadmap of the lungs. A bronchoscope is placed through the patient’s mouth and into the airways of the lungs. Next, the i·Logic catheters are placed in the bronchoscope channel. The electromagnetic sensors in the i·Logic catheters will then guide the physician to the target lesion. Once at the target lesion, the locatable guide catheter is removed and the extended working channel catheter remains. Biopsy tools can now be placed through the extended working channel to collect tissue samples for testing and diagnosis. After the ENB procedure the patient will be observed until they are awake enough to return home.

Recovery & Risks

After the iLogic procedure you will be observed until you are awake enough to return home. The most common risk is pneumothorax (collapsed lung), which occurs in 2-3% of patients. This is comparable to a traditional bronchoscopy.

You may experience a mild sore throat, hoarseness or cough following the iLogic procedure. If you feel chest pain or increased shortness of breath, contact your doctor immediately.

Am I Eligible for ILogic?

The iLogic System can be used with a widerange of patients. This even includes those who suffer from poor lung function or have had cancer surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.