Monarch Platform
Robotic Bronchoscopy Could Enable Earlier and More-Accurate Diagnosis of Lung Nodules
A new innovation that holds promise to fight lung cancer is now in use at Saint Mary’s Hospital. Used to view the inside of the lungs and obtain a tissue sample for biopsy, the goal of 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.
The 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).
More than 90 percent of people diagnosed with lung cancer do not survive the disease, in part because it is often found at an advanced stage. There are a variety of diagnostic options currently available for lung cancer, but all have limitations in accuracy, safety, or invasiveness. These limitations can lead to false positives, false negatives, or side effects such as pneumothorax (collapsed lung) and hemorrhage, which may increase health care costs and extend hospital stays.
The Monarch Platform 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.
Your MONARCH® Platform Robotic Bronchoscopy Procedure, Step by Step
- Your doctor will place the bronchoscope through the mouth, throat and into the lungs using a controller.
- A combination of real-time visualization and electromagnetic navigation (like a GPS you use in your car) is used that gives your doctor a road map to find the nodule.
- The robotic bronchoscope gives your doctor precise control and stability making it easier to reach nodules deep in the lung.
- Your doctor can quickly and safely take a tissue sample (biopsy) of the nodule and send it to the laboratory for testing without making an incision.
- Once your results are available, your doctor will meet with you to discuss next steps and recommendations.
Not all lung spots (nodules), are cancerous. Over half of them are not. They can have many causes. These can be smoking, scar tissue, or old infections. To find out if a nodule is cancerous, a small piece of tissue must be examined. When a spot on the lung is found, it is important for you and your doctor to find out what it is. Your doctor will perform a minimally invasive procedure called a robotic bronchoscopy. This will help you and your doctor get the answers needed to make important decisions about your health. Going into this procedure, it is normal to have several questions on what to expect. Our goal is to help answer your questions so that you are prepared. These are some of the questions we often hear from patients.
Yes it is safe. Every medical procedure will carry some risk. The primary risk factors for lung biopsy procedures are a collapsed lung and bleeding. The MONARCH® Bronchoscopy was designed to keep risks as low as possible while maintaining a high rate of diagnosis.
No, your doctor has complete control throughout the entire procedure. The robotic bronchoscope helps your doctor get a tissue sample easier than controlling it by hand.
The procedure times may vary but will generally take about 60 to 120 minutes.
It is an outpatient procedure and usually happens in a hospital operating room or endoscopy suite.
Before the procedure, you’ll be put to sleep using anesthesia. The doctor will place a thin tube (bronchoscope) into your mouth, throat and into the lung. A tissue sample of the nodule is taken and sent to a laboratory to find out more information.
