Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
Electromagnetic Navigation Transthoracic Nodule Localization for Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery
Published on: May 4, 2022
Real-time electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy to peripheral lung lesions using overlaid CT images: the first
Yehuda Schwarz1, Joel Greif, Heinrich D Becker
1Pulmonary Institute, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Weizman Stt 6, Tel Aviv 64239, Israel. Schwarz@tasmc.health.gov.il
Study Objectives:
To characterize the feasibility, accuracy, and safety of the superDimension/Bronchus system (SDBS) [superDimension, Ltd; Hertzliya, Israel] in navigating to previously unreachable peripheral lung lesions and obtaining biopsy specimens.
Design:
Open-label, prospective, controlled clinical study.
Setting:
Pulmonary institute of a university-affiliated municipal hospital.
Patients:
Thirteen adult candidates for nonemergency bronchoscopy who gave informed consent to participate.
Interventions:
The patients underwent flexible bronchoscopy using the SDBS, which is based on real-time CT-guided electromagnetic navigation and is capable of reaching peripheral lung masses beyond the reach of the bronchoscope. A position sensor was used to navigate to and sample the various target lesions for biopsy.
Measurements And Results:
Three-dimensional chest CT was followed by SDBS methodology for marking anatomic landmarks and the target lesion on a virtual bronchoscopy screen and for sampling the lesion. The SDBS assisted in obtaining positive biopsy diagnoses in 9 of 13 cases (69%), with an average navigation accuracy of 5.7 mm. There were no SDBS-related adverse events.
Conclusions:
The SDBS is safe and effective in navigating to peripheral lung lesions located beyond the optic limits of a standard flexible bronchoscope.
