Intuitive reports interim data on robotic-assisted bronchoscopy for lung nodules

A prospective multicenter study, known as the CONFIRM study, has evaluated the integration of Intuitive’s Ion endoluminal robotic system with mobile cone-beam computed tomography (mCBCT). Researchers assessed the technology's effectiveness in diagnosing small pulmonary nodules, defined as 20 millimeters or less in size.

Data from 155 patients showed that the integrated system successfully achieved tool-in-nodule positioning in 99.4% of cases. The study reported a diagnostic yield between 89% and 91%, depending on the classification criteria used. Notably, investigators reported no instances of pneumothorax, and intra-procedural bleeding rates remained low at 1.3%.

By integrating the robotic system with mobile imaging, clinicians can correct for 'CT-to-body divergence'—the discrepancy between pre-procedural images and the patient's real-time anatomy. The system allows for automatic target position updates during the procedure, facilitating more precise biopsy sampling in the peripheral lung.

These interim results suggest that combining robotic navigation with real-time mobile imaging provides a reliable diagnostic pathway for early-stage lung nodules. The study is ongoing, with further follow-up required to consolidate these clinical findings.