You’re invited to experience two of the latest advancements in medical technology during the Intuitive Thoracic Oncology Mobile Experience (TOME) on Friday, May 30, in the Salem Hospital Fitness Center parking lot. This will be the only stop in Oregon for this mobile event, showcasing the ION Robotic Bronchoscopy System and da Vinci 5 Robotic Surgical System.

Date: Friday, May 30

Time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Location: Salem Hospital Fitness Center parking lot, located south of the Emergency Department and parking garage

You’ll have the opportunity to see the cutting-edge technology in action, manipulate the robotic systems and ask questions to both Intuitive and Salem Health staff about how these tools are used in daily clinical practice, and learn how to refer your patients to our specialized surgeons.

Salem Hospital is the only facility between Eugene and Portland with the ION Robotic Bronchoscopy System, which allows for minimally invasive biopsies of peripheral lung nodules. It was first used this April.

“The system is designed for safe biopsies of nodules that are suspicious for lung cancer, with the goal of diagnosing early-stage disease, which has a better overall prognosis,” said Brandon Tieu, MD, thoracic surgeon at Salem Health Surgical Specialty Clinic – Cardiothoracic. 

This can mean all the difference for patients. With the ION system, Salem Hospital can provide patients with a more accurate diagnosis, which is key in starting treatment early.

“The ION helps physicians more accurately biopsy smaller, peripheral lesions through the airway, compared to prior technology that was used for endobronchial biopsies,” Dr. Tieu added. “Its navigation system and shape-sensing technology allow for accurate planning and navigation to the lesions.”

With an ultra-thin and maneuverable endoluminal catheter, the ION allows for stable biopsies. And, unlike CT-guided biopsies, you can biopsy multiple lung nodules during the same procedure.

“The da Vinci robotic surgical platform is a tool to allow surgeons to perform minimally invasive operations using state-of-the-art technology and analytic tools,” Dr. Tieu said. “It is used by surgeons in a variety of specialties to perform numerous different operations.”

Compared to previous systems, the da Vinci 5 is “redesigned from the inside out,” according to Intuitive, and “brings more than 150 design innovations and 10,000x the computing power to deliver greater surgeon autonomy, more streamlined OR workflow and advanced data analytics.”

Salem Hospital has treated 6,200 patients with its da Vinci robotic surgical system since it first introduced it in the operating room in 2007. It is currently used by 32 surgeons across specialties — including general surgeons, cardiac surgeons, urologists, obstetricians, gynecologists and more — with additional training planned for more surgeons by the end of the year.

Take advantage of this rare opportunity to see these innovative technologies firsthand and learn how we are reimagining patient care to improve the health and well-being of the people and communities we serve. 

Questions? Contact zeth.lannigan@salemhealth.org.

We hope to see you there!