New robotic launch in lung cancer diagnosis ahead of national screening rollout

Australia has officially welcomed a next-generation bronchoscopy system, coinciding with the launch of the National Lung Cancer Screening program in July. This medical technology innovation, developed by Noah Medical, is now available through local distributor Intervene Medical.

The first commercial cases using the Galaxy Robotic Bronchoscopy System were performed at Macquarie University Hospital, where it was paired with the Philips Azurion CBCT. Its clinical debut took place at the inaugural MQ Health Pulmonary Nodule Masterclass, where Australian clinicians engaged with the system firsthand in a cadaver lab, gaining insight into its navigational capabilities and real-time imaging features.

The local clinical journey began in 2023 with the FRONTIER study, conducted at Macquarie University Hospital and led by respiratory physicians Professor Alvin Ing, Associate Professor Tajalli Saghaie, and Associate Professor Jonathan Williamson. This first-in-human trial investigated the safety and feasibility of the Galaxy System in improving location accuracy and diagnostic success for lung nodules, powered by its proprietary TiLT+ Technology.

“Traditionally, biopsies of lung nodules have been performed via a needle through the chest wall and into the lung, but this carries the risk of significant complications, with the possibility that it could cause the lung to collapse or resulting in bleeding that can be very hard to control,” said Professor Ing.

“A standard bronchoscopy is also an option, but in cases where the nodule is very small and deep in the lung, where the airways are narrowest, it can be difficult to reach and hard to accurately sample, so it tends to result in a successful diagnosis in fewer than 70% of cases.”

He added, “This new option makes the process less distressing for those patients who might otherwise have to either wait for the nodule to grow or choose to have surgery that could prove to be unnecessary.”

The Galaxy system uses CT scan data to build a highly detailed, GPS-style roadmap of the lungs. During the procedure, a probe is inserted into the airway, and with the support of a robotic arm, clinicians navigate using an Xbox-style controller to guide the probe directly to the lung nodule. Real-time confirmation is provided by C-arm X-ray sweeps, while the robotic arm maintains a steady position during sample collection.

“The addition of integrated tomosynthesis, with augmented fluoroscopy and Strikepoint, has provided additional information and assurance to us that our biopsy tool is in the lesion,” said Professor Ing.

“We see strong potential for the Galaxy system to improve the tool-in-lesion rates for interventional pulmonologists around the world, and view it as an important advance in the early diagnosis and management of lung cancer.”

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