Lionel Tan

Papers

Total Citations

177

H-Index

About

Dr. Lionel Tan is a pioneering interventional pulmonologist whose research centers on advancing minimally invasive diagnostic techniques for lung cancer, with a particular focus on robotic-assisted bronchoscopy and peripheral pulmonary nodule navigation. His landmark 2019 study, "First Human Use of a New Robotic-Assisted Fiber Optic Sensing Navigation System for Small Peripheral Pulmonary Nodules," has garnered 177 citations, establishing him as a leader in this rapidly evolving field. This work demonstrated the first-in-human application of a remotely controlled catheter system that integrates fiber optic sensing and real-time distal tip articulation, enabling stable, precise access to small peripheral airways—a historically challenging area for traditional bronchoscopy. By proving that the catheter remains stationary once positioned, Dr. Tan’s innovation significantly enhances diagnostic yield while reducing procedural risk. His contributions have directly shaped the development of next-generation robotic platforms, improving early lung cancer detection rates. Beyond this seminal paper, his ongoing research continues to refine navigation accuracy and expand the therapeutic potential of bronchoscopic interventions. Dr. Tan’s work stands at the intersection of robotics, sensor technology, and clinical pulmonology, offering tangible hope for patients with hard-to-reach lung lesions.