Imaging Software used in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Lung Cancer and Other Lung Diseases

 

Software Offers Unique Solution for Lung Fiducial Planning
December 15, 2010, MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – Broncus Technologies, Inc., a medical device company focused on developing minimally-invasive innovations for lung diseases, announced release today of its LungPoint® System version 3.0.  LungPoint is a navigation system for the airways that allows physicians to reach difficult areas of the lung in a minimally-invasive procedure.  The software allows for pre-procedure mapping and visual guidance during bronchoscopy and helps physicians get to lung tissue that would have previously only been reachable through the chest wall or surgically. The software is used by physicians across the US in diagnosing and treating lung disease. This latest version has unique functionality for placing the fiducial markers that guide radiation beams during early stage lung cancer treatments. 

Eric D. Anderson, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Director, Interventional Bronchoscopy at Georgetown University Hospital is a nationally-recognized expert in the bronchoscopic placement of lung fiducials.  “Fiducial markers help to track the location of the lung lesion and more tightly focus the radiation beam during lung cancer treatment.  Bronchoscopic placement of fiducials can reduce the risk of serious complications including pneumothorax (collapsed lung),” explains Dr. Anderson.  “I’ve been working with markers for many years, and the difficulty has always been determining the best locations to place them. The LungPoint system provides unprecedented guidance in positioning the markers and ensuring a successful treatment for the patient.”

The LungPoint system aids fiducial placement by automatically calculating fiducial locations around a pre-defined target (usually a lung lesion).  The physician can then verify and/or move the fiducials. A unique fiducial projection view shows the lesion and fiducial locations as they will present on a radiation therapy imaging system.  The pulmonologist, often in consultation with a radiation oncologist, can easily determine if the fiducials will be distinct and detectable during treatment.

“What I’ve seen with the new LungPoint software is that it simplifies the planning processes,” states Dr. Anderson. “There is a comprehensive and meaningful set of calculation parameters for fiducial placement.  To be able to visualize the fiducial locations as they will be considered during radiation treatment planning increases my confidence in the fiducials’ ability to guide the radiation beam.”

Version 3.0 of the LungPoint System includes other improvements that respond to customer feedback and make the system easier to use...