New Technology at Orlando VA Brings Precision Lung Care to Veterans
The Orlando VA Medical Center is now offering robotic bronchoscopy, an advanced procedure that enables clinicians to precisely reach and biopsy lung nodules that were once difficult to access. This cutting-edge technology is improving early detection of lung conditions—especially lung cancer—while allowing Veterans to receive care closer to home.
Traditional bronchoscopy allows clinicians to insert a camera through the airway to examine and biopsy areas of concern in the lungs. The new ION robotic bronchoscopy platform enhances that process by using CT imaging and specialized software to create a detailed navigation map of the patient’s airways. Physicians can follow this map—similar to a GPS system—to guide the robotic scope directly to small lung nodules that may otherwise be difficult to reach.
Once the robotic system reaches the target area, it remains stable while clinicians pass instruments through the scope to obtain tissue samples. This stability significantly improves the accuracy of biopsies compared to some older navigation methods.
The Orlando VA performed its first robotic bronchoscopy in October 2025 and has since completed around twenty procedures, currently averaging one to two cases per week as the program continues to grow. Robotic bronchoscopy may also lower the likelihood of complications such as pneumothorax, or collapsed lung, which can occur with some traditional diagnostic approaches. Most procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, allowing Veterans to return home the same day after observation.
For Central Florida Veterans, the program also eliminates the need to travel to other facilities for advanced lung diagnostics. Instead, they can now receive state-of-the-art care locally. Most importantly, the technology supports earlier diagnosis of lung cancer and other lung diseases. Earlier detection leads to faster treatment and improved survival outcomes. With robotic bronchoscopy now available, the Orlando VA Medical Center is expanding access to innovative diagnostic tools to our nation's Veterans.
To learn more and read the full article, Click HERE.