Swiss researchers at the University Hospital Zurich have presented a robotic bronchoscope that, when combined with computed tomography, can detect tumors just a few millimeters in size and take precise samples for analysis.
The study involved 78 patients with suspicious lesions. Traditional bronchoscopy allowed biopsy in only 23% of cases, whereas the robotic system achieved 84%. Even in hard-to-reach areas, successful biopsy was carried out in nearly 93% of cases. Lung cancer was confirmed in 68 patients, and half of them were at the earliest stage, when treatment is most effective.
The system demonstrated a threefold advantage over traditional methods. Despite the high cost of the equipment, its effectiveness in difficult cases makes the technology worthwhile. Around 20 such systems are currently operating in Europe. The next step is to combine diagnosis and treatment in a single procedure, when the robot will be able not only to take a sample but also to act on the tumor immediately.
