Singing River Health System Leads with Introduction of First Intuitive Ion Robot for Bronchoscopy

Singing River Health System leads the way as the first healthcare provider along the Mississippi Gulf Coast to introduce the Intuitive Ion robot for bronchoscopy.

The Ion endoluminal system is a robotic-assisted platform designed for minimally invasive biopsy procedures within the lung. The adoption of this state-of-the-art technology marks a significant advancement in minimally invasive pulmonary care.

Ijlal Babar, MD, FCCP, FAASM

Pulmonologist, Medical Director of Singing River Pulmonary Critical Care & Pulmonary Hypertension

“We are proud to set a new standard of healthcare innovation along the Mississippi Gulf Coast by investing in technologies that redefine patient care and improve cancer treatment outcomes. The implementation of the Intuitive Ion robot for bronchoscopy procedures reaffirms our commitment to providing world-class cancer care to our patients.”

The Intuitive Ion robot equips physicians with the advanced tools necessary to navigate bronchoscopy procedures with unparalleled precision and control. A primary goal in designing Ion was to help shorten the patient journey by making it possible to reach and biopsy difficult-to-reach nodules in the peripheral lung, where more than 70% of the cancerous nodules may be located. This results in safer and more effective treatment options for patients, including biopsy, lesion localization, and therapeutic interventions.

In addition to enhancing procedural precision, the Ion robot offers an ergonomic design and an intuitive interface that optimizes efficiency while minimizing patient discomfort. Its advanced imaging capabilities provide clinicians with specific insights while enabling more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans. Meta-analysis results indicate the likelihood of a diagnosis being reached is 83% more likely with the Ion robot.

Attend the Open House Event

To celebrate this milestone, the public is invited to attend an open house at Ocean Springs Hospital on May 6, 2024, from 10 – 11 a.m. Dr. Babar will discuss the biopsy and treatment options for lung nodules using the Ion robot. Attendees will also have the opportunity to witness a live robot demonstration.