On October 15, Cook County Health hosted Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle to celebrate the launch of the Intuitive Surgical ION Navigational Bronchoscopy platform at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital in Chicago.

Robotic navigational bronchoscopy is a cutting-edge tool that makes diagnosing lung cancer safer, quicker, and more accurate. The technology allows for less invasive biopsies, which means less pain and risk of complications for patients, as well as a faster time to treatment and recovery. Cook County Health launched the program in September and offers the procedure at Stroger Hospital.

“It is important that every person in Cook County has access to the types of care that will allow them to live their healthiest lives,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said. “Thanks to this investment by Cook County Health, patients now have access to technology that can help diagnose early lung cancer.”

This technology is currently available at fewer than a dozen academic medical centers in the county. Cook County Health is one of the leading government-sponsored health systems in the nation, serving all patients regardless of immigration status or ability to pay.

“This system will allow Cook County Health doctors to perform minimally invasive biopsies of the lung, which will improve precision and safety of these biopsies, and lead to earlier diagnosis and better outcomes for our patients,” said Dr. Erik Mikaitis, Interim CEO, Cook County Health.

“Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in this country and too often, it’s diagnosed late because it doesn’t cause symptoms until the disease has reached an advanced state,” said Dr. Anne Levenson, pulmonologist and Director of Pulmonary Procedures. “Early detection and early intervention are key to saving lives.”

According to the CDC, from 2017-2021 nearly half of all lung cancers were diagnosed at a distant stage, meaning the cancer had spread from the lungs to distant parts of the body.

The ION Navigational Bronchoscopy features an ultra-thin, maneuverable catheter capable of navigating deeper into lung tissue than traditional lung biopsy methods. This is a significant advancement in technology that allows for more precise biopsies by accessing all lung nodules, facilitating faster diagnoses and treatments.

Many patients undergoing robotic bronchoscopy also receive an additional procedure called Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS), which helps doctors assess whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. Combining these procedures reduces the need for multiple surgeries, allows for accurate cancer staging, and leads to more timely treatment and better outcomes.

The ION Navigational Bronchoscopy is the most recent milestone in Cook County Health’s ongoing commitment to providing patients access to the latest medical technologies. In April 2024, Cook County Health launched its robotic-assisted surgery program and in May, a new neurosciences ICU was opened at Stroger Hospital.

“Over the last year, the health system has made incredible strides to elevate and expand the services being offered to patients,” President Preckwinkle said.  “These investments are investments in people and technology and will directly help improve and save patient lives.”