DHMC to Use New Lung Cancer Diagnosis

 A new innovation that holds promise to fight lung cancer is now in use at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) in Lebanon, New Hampshire. Used to view the inside of the lungs and obtain a tissue sample for biopsy, the goal of this technology, produced by Auris Health’s Monarch™ Platform, is to enable earlier and more-accurate diagnosis of small and hard-to-reach nodules in the periphery of the lung.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, in part because it has no symptoms in its early stages. This technology integrates the latest advancements in robotics, software, data science, and endoscopy (the use of small cameras and tools to enter the body through its natural openings) to provide improved reach, vision and control for bronchoscopic procedures. DHMC is among the first hospitals in the United States to utilize the platform, which was recently cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“We are excited to offer robotic-assisted bronchoscopy at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center,” said  David J. Feller-Kopman, MD, section chief, pulmonary and critical care medicine. “This new technology allows our team to biopsy small lung nodules in a minimally invasive and safe fashion with greater accuracy than ever before. Robotic bronchoscopy will advance the diagnostic capabilities of our comprehensive thoracic oncology program, and improve the care we provide to our patients.”

This technology utilizes a familiar controller-like interface that physicians use to navigate the flexible robotic endoscope to the periphery of the lung with improved reach, vision, and control. Combining traditional endoscopic views into the lung with computer-assisted navigation based on 3-D models of the patient’s own lung anatomy, the Monarch Platform provides physicians with continuous bronchoscope vision throughout the entire procedure.

The Dartmouth Cancer Center continues to provide the latest technology for cancer diagnosis and treatment. The tools for assessing and treating thoracic cancer have changed drastically in recent years. The organization is committed to taking advantage of the latest and most innovative tools and the multi-disciplinary collaboration combined with access to the entire Dartmouth Health system provides the cutting-edge care for patients.