Thanks to a new electromagnetic navigation platform, the Pulmonology Department at Hôpital de La Tour has become the first center in Switzerland to reach a milestone in the early diagnosis of lung tumors and nodules. This revolutionary tool paves the way for early treatment and a significant improvement in patient care.
Virtual mapping of the lungs using the Illumisite platform
As part of its ongoing expansion of specialized care services, the Pulmonology Department at Hôpital de La Tour has enhanced its technical capabilities by acquiring Medtronic’s latest Illumisite™ electromagnetic navigation system. This innovative platform aims to improve the precision of pulmonary endoscopic procedures, thereby offering new possibilities for treating complex respiratory conditions.
Specifically, Illumisite™ fuses high-resolution chest CT images to generate a detailed virtual model of the patient’s bronchial tree. A detailed representation of the airways is then displayed—similar to a GPS—and guides pulmonologists with unmatched precision, thereby facilitating access to previously hard-to-reach lung lesions.
During the bronchoscopy procedure, the pulmonologist navigates a catheter through the airways to the target site. This allows for the biopsy of hard-to-reach lung nodules or lesions, enabling improved care and early treatment through precise characterization of the lesion.
Combined with other techniques such as fluoroscopic navigation and endobronchial ultrasound using a mini-radial probe, this minimally invasive approach offers significantly higher diagnostic yield than conventional endoscopic techniques. Our teams also work closely with pathologists from the Lab8 laboratory, who ensure rapid analysis of the samples during the procedure.
Dr. A.B. Younossian and Dr. L. Lücker, in partnership with Medtronic and supported by the endoscopy, anesthesia, and operating room teams, have rapidly integrated this technology into the institution, demonstrating its potential to redefine standards of care in pulmonology.
Photos of biopsies performed using navigation.