/Intuitive’s Ion System Achieves 10,000 Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy Procedures in Europe
– Clinicians across Europe have performed over 10,000 robotic-assisted bronchoscopy procedures using the Ion endoluminal system.
– The system facilitates earlier diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related death in Europe.
– Ion’s innovative design allows access to difficult-to-reach nodules, improving biopsy accuracy and clinical outcomes.
– The success of Ion indicates a growing trend towards the adoption of robotic-assisted technologies in healthcare.
Intuitive, a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery, has announced a significant milestone with clinicians across Europe using the Ion endoluminal system (Ion) to perform more than 10,000 robotic-assisted bronchoscopy procedures since receiving its CE mark in 2023. This achievement underscores the increasing adoption of the technology and its potential impact on supporting earlier diagnosis and treatment for patients suspected of having lung cancer.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in Europe, with approximately 480,000 new diagnoses each year. Alarmingly, up to 70% of these cases are identified at a late stage when treatment options are often limited and survival rates diminish. Early detection and treatment can yield five-year survival rates of up to 92 percent.
The Ion system features an ultra-thin, shape-sensing catheter specifically designed to navigate the complexities of lung anatomy. This capability enables clinicians to access small, challenging nodules and precisely position biopsy tools to obtain samples from potentially cancerous tissues, offering stability that is often lacking with traditional manual bronchoscopy techniques.
Dr. Oliver Wagner, Vice President and Medical Officer of the Endoluminal Division at Intuitive, stated, “Behind every procedure is someone seeking answers about a potentially life-changing diagnosis. Through Ion, our aim is to help clinicians replace that uncertainty with a clear answer earlier, ultimately leading to better clinical outcomes for patients. Reaching 10,000 Ion procedures across Europe is an important milestone, reflecting the dedication of pioneering clinical teams who have adopted and integrated robotic-assisted bronchoscopy into their lung cancer pathways.”
In 2025, a clinical study, the first of its kind in Europe, demonstrated that Ion enables clinicians to safely and effectively reach and biopsy small nodules located in difficult-to-access areas of the lung, yielding high rates of diagnostic accuracy.
“As lung screening programmes expand across Europe, more potential lung cancers are being detected. With Ion, we remain focused on supporting clinicians to give their patients a clear diagnosis at the earliest possible stage – so they can access the right treatment sooner,” said Dirk Barten, Intuitive commercial president for Europe. He further emphasized the company’s commitment to transforming lung cancer pathways and enhancing patient care through their integrated technologies.
The Ion system is part of Intuitive’s comprehensive ecosystem and portfolio of robotic-assisted systems, all aimed at improving patient outcomes while enhancing the experiences of both patients and healthcare teams. Currently, over 1,000 Ion systems are installed in hospitals around the globe, supporting physicians in performing more than 140,000 lung biopsies in 2025 alone.
