Treatments

iLogic Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy

Overview

The iLogic Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy (ENB) is a minimally invasive procedure that provides additional options for diagnosis and treatment of lung disease, even for patients with procedure-restricting conditions.

This procedure does not carry the risks associated with surgery. The iLogic System can detect lung cancer early, before symptoms are evident, enhancing treatment options for patients. Similar to GPS 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 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. ENB extends the reach of 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.

iLogic uses electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy and a patient’s natural airways to:

  • Navigate to peripheral lesions and biopsy for diagnosis
  • Stage lymph nodes for diagnosis and pre-operative planning
  • Place radiosurgical markers in and around tumors for radiation treatment
  • Place markers for guiding pulmonary VATS procedures
  • Guide high dose radiation catheters

The iLogic system offers a virtual-3D bronchial tree that extends deep into the lungs reaching 17+ airway generations, multiple guidance, and navigation views that enhance lung lesion and vessel visualization and have a diagnostic yield of 70-74 percent for lesions and 100 percent for lymph nodes.

As many as 65 percent of traditional bronchoscopy procedures fail to reach peripheral lesions, which leads to more invasive diagnostic procedures. Using the patient’s natural airways, the iLogic system provides the ability to diagnose, stage and prepare to treat distal lung lesions in one procedure and provides safe and efficient access for non-operable patients.

 

Why Is iLogic Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy Needed?

Let’s say an abnormal finding or lesion in a distant part of the lung is spotted on an X-ray, CT-Scan or PET-CT scan. Traditional bronchoscopy often fails to reach the outer areas of the lungs, often leaving only more invasive surgical options for diagnosis. An i·Logic ENB procedure will allow a physician to locate, test, diagnose and potentially treat the lung lesion even in the outer areas of the lungs.

How Does ENB Differ From Traditional Bronchoscopy?

ENB transforms traditional bronchoscopy into a high-tech outpatient procedure. ENB uses GPS-like technology to navigate a set of catheters to a lesion deep in the lungs.  The electromagnetic system guides and steers the unique catheters through complex airways beyond the reach of a traditional bronchoscope. ENB minimizes the need for more invasive surgical procedures to be used to access the lung lesion, which often require an inpatient hospital stay and greater potential for complications such as pneumothorax (collapsed lung).

How Many Patients Have Had an i·Logic ENB?

As of December 2010, more than 19,000 patients have had the procedure at more than 300 medical facilities across the United States.

How Does ENB Differ From Traditional Bronchoscopy?

ENB transforms traditional bronchoscopy into a high-tech outpatient procedure. ENB uses GPS-like technology to navigate a set of catheters to a lesion deep in the lungs.  The electromagnetic system guides and steers the unique catheters through complex airways beyond the reach of a traditional bronchoscope. ENB minimizes the need for more invasive surgical procedures to be used to access the lung lesion, which often require an inpatient hospital stay and greater potential for complications such as pneumothorax (collapsed lung).

What are the Risks to Having an i·Logic ENB?

There are no risks beyond those associated with traditional bronchoscopic procedures. Also, because ENB is a minimally-invasive procedure and uses the patient’s natural airways, there is a reduced potential for complications caused during more invasive surgical procedures.

Who Performs the Procedure?

ENBs are performed by a specialty physician such as a Pulmonologist or Thoracic Surgeon.

Is this Procedure Done in a Hospital?

ENB is usually performed in an outpatient center. Nearly all people will go home the day of the procedure, without requiring an overnight hospital stay.

How Long Does the Procedure Take?

The procedure lasts between 30 minutes to 2 hours.