Methodist hosts hands-on surgical experience truck in celebration of 1,000th Ion bronchoscopy case

Methodist welcomed the public to step inside Intuitive Surgical’s Thoracic Oncology Mobile Experience (TOME) truck and “test drive” some of the latest lung cancer care technology when it made its first stop in Nebraska on June 27. 

Intuitive’s TOME truck is an 18-wheel, 80,000-pound mobile demonstration laboratory that houses the Ion Robotic Bronchoscopy System and the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System – used together to diagnose and treat lung cancer at Methodist. The truck travels the country in an effort to educate the public on lung cancer screening and treatment options while providing the same state-of-the-art hands-on experience that many pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons now have in the fight against lung cancer.

On June 27, visitors climbed aboard the TOME truck to view/maneuver the same robotic systems that have led to improved outcomes and quality of life for countless Methodist patients. 

The truck’s visit was in celebration of Methodist Hospital’s 1,000^th Ion robotic bronchoscopy case and its consistently notable procedure volumes – in the top 5% nationally and the highest in the state since 2021, when Methodist became the first Nebraska hospital to offer the minimally invasive technology.

“This technology has been a game changer for us,” said Adam Wells, MD, a pulmonologist with Methodist Physicians Clinic and Methodist Hospital. “Thanks to our efforts in acquiring it four years ago, we have been able to implement it into our multidisciplinary cancer care approach and more quickly and safely get a diagnosis for our patients – all with the goal of quickly identifying, and curing, early stage lung cancer.”

Methodist patients and providers along with Intuitive representatives were on-site to help demonstrate the technology and answer questions. Informational brochures related to cancer screening at Methodist were also be available.

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KETV: Methodist's Thoracic Oncology Mobile Experience truck makes stop in Omaha