A new innovation that holds promise to fight lung cancer is now in use at Methodist Hospitals. Used to view the inside of the lungs and obtain a tissue sample for biopsy, Auris Health’s Monarch™ Platform enables 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). Methodist is among the first hospitals in the United States to utilize the platform, which was recently cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
"Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, in part because it has no symptoms in its early stages. Because the Monarch Platform provides improved reach, vision and control for bronchoscopic procedures, it holds potential to help us to make a diagnosis earlier,” said Vincent Sevier, M.D., Methodist Hospitals Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. “We are excited about the promise of this technology to offer a more hopeful future for our patients with lung cancer.”
The majority of people diagnosed with lung cancer do not survive the disease, in part because it is often not found until it is at an advanced stage. Other currently available diagnostic options have limitations in accuracy, safety, or invasiveness, which can lead to false positives or negatives, or side effects such as 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. “Methodist’s investment in this new diagnostic tool is another demonstration of our commitment to providing our patients access to the latest and most advanced technology,” said Matt Doyle, Methodist Hospitals President and CEO.”
About Methodist Hospitals
Methodist Hospitals is a community-based, not-for-profit health system with two full-service acute care facilities in Gary and Merrillville, Indiana, that has been leading the way to better health for residents of Northwest Indiana for almost 100 years. Methodist Hospitals offers a number of award – winning programs, including its Neuroscience, Oncology, Heart and Vascular Institutes and Breast Care Center. Its range of services also includes Women & Children’s Services, Bariatric Surgery services, Emergency services, Immediate Care Centers, Orthopedics & Spine services, comprehensive Rehabilitation services, Behavioral Health and Home Health Services.
