Lung Navigation System from superDimension Wants to Extend the Reach of Bronchoscope

Here’s a fact. Even the most experienced clinicians among us, whether thoracic surgeons, pulmonologists, intensivists or anesthesiologists, can get confused performing a bronchoscopy. That’s why we like to move up and down through airways making sure we know where we are. And if we are not certain whether we are looking at carina or some other bifurcation, then things get progressively confusing in secondary airways and beyond. An Israeli startup superDimension, Ltd. wants to add navigation guidance to bronchoscopies and mediastinal biopsies with its system , called superDimension i•Logic™, that sports interesting software guidance and proprietary hardware.
Here’s how the company describes its technology and possible applications on superDimension’s Facebook page :

With the i•Logic System, physicians gain access to distal lesions in a minimally invasive manner.
i•Logic addresses an unmet critical need to provide access to distal lung lesions through Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy™ (ENB). Using a patient’s CT scan, a virtual 3D bronchial tree extends deep into the lungs for enhanced visualization to the lesion. Automatic Registration and Airway Sync continuously updates navigation of the Locatable Guide tip position to the target position. Once at the target, the LG is removed and the guide catheter provides a channel for diagnostic treatment or therapeutic tools.
The i•Logic System enables physicians to navigate deep into the lungs, offering a breadth of customized treatment options for patients. Using Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy™ (ENB), Pulmonologists and Thoracic Surgeons can access peripheral lung lesions through a minimally invasive pathway.
Stage Lymph Nodes for Diagnosis and Pre-Operative Planning
— i•Logic provides real-time localization of lymph nodes making biopsies more accurate than blind TBNA.
— ENB offers high success rates in reaching subcarinal and mediastinal lymph nodes.
Place Radiosurgical Markers for Radiation Treatment
— ENB allows pinpoint RSM placement in and around lung tumors to guide external beam radiation.
— Small solitary lung tumors can be accurately treated, preserving surrounding healthy lung tissue.
— i•Logic placement of markers enables physicians to carefully track changes in tumor position during treatment position during radiation therapy and tumor morphology over time.
Place Makers to Facilitate Pulmonary VATS
— i•Logic offers physicians clear access to mark locations in peripheral lung lesions and near the pleura surface.
— ENB through marker placement generates accurate guidance during Video Assisted Thorascopic Surgery (VATS).
— Lung nodules that may not be visible or palpable at time of surgery can be identified through non-invasive i•Logic marker placement.
Guide Brachytherapy
— The i•Logic System is well suited for the delivery of radiation sources to the desired treatment site.
— Effective HDR and LDR tumor treatment can be delivered to a broader range of patients.