Software aims to steer bronchoscopes more precisely in lung cancer checks

NCT ID NCT07822126

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First seen Sep 16, 2026 · Last updated Sep 17, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

Researchers at Penn State University are testing three software innovations designed to improve bronchoscopy guidance during lung cancer evaluations. The study enrolls a small number of adults who are already scheduled for a clinical bronchoscopy to examine abnormal lung tissue or chest lymph nodes. During the procedure, the virtual navigation system taps into the live bronchoscopy video to help compensate for CT-to-body differences, reroute around blocked airways, and automatically detect mucosal lesions in real time. The goal is to gather preliminary data on whether these tools work in a live clinical setting.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
a virtual navigation system that guides bronchoscopy in real time
What this could lead to
If it works, the system could help doctors steer bronchoscopes more accurately and spot suspicious airway lesions in real time, which may improve how lung cancer is diagnosed.
What could go wrong
This is a very small early study with only a handful of participants, so it can only show whether the technology works in a live setting, not whether it improves patient outcomes. The software may not perform reliably outside the controlled study conditions.

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Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Participants

About 6 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Expected to start

Sep 2026

An estimate. Start dates often move.

Expected to finish

May 2027

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Who is studied

The subject population includes patients whose clinical evaluation requires a diagnostic bronchoscopy for evaluation of parenchymal or mediastinal abnormalities. This patient population is typically 40-70 years old.

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. a planned clinical bronchoscopy to evaluate abnormal lung parenchyma and/or central chest lymph nodes; 2. Radiology images, previously obtained for clinical purposes, that meet technical specifications and are available on our team's Radiology research server or can be uploaded from the Hershey Medical Center clinical image storage system. 1. a clinical CT scan performed at Hershey Medical Center, AND 2. Either one of two additional clinically available scans: <!-- --> 1. CT/PET study OR 2. a clinical CT scan that includes inspiratory and expiratory images 3. Must be able to read, write, and speak English. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Special classes of subjects that will be excluded are pregnant women because clinical CT scans and CT/PET studies are avoided because of the potential for radiation injury to the fetus. 2. Mentally incompetent subjects will be excluded. They will be identified as such because their treating clinician will have deemed them unable to provide consent for their clinical procedure. The clinical record will indicate whether the patient is providing consent or a surrogate decision-maker has been needed. Patients with a surrogate decision-maker will be excluded. 3. We will exclude prisoners and institutionalized individuals because their autonomy is compromised by their status, and the study provides no direct benefit from which they would be excluded. Individuals who become prisoners or are institutionalized after giving consent but before their diagnostic procedure would also be excluded. Their clinical record will identify if they are in custody. 4. Children are not part of this project because they do not get lung cancer. Therefore, we do not provide processes for meeting requirements for parental permission and child assent.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

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How to take part

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

    Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, United States

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