Our Monarch needs a name

Northbay Health is seeking input on naming the newest member of its pulmonology team.

New state-of-the-art robotic technology designed to give earlier and more accurate diagnosis of small and hard-to-reach nodules in the periphery of the lung was introduced at Northbay Health Medical Center in August.

Now Northbay is inviting members of the public and staff to help come up with a name for the Auris Health Monarch™ Platform. The person who submits the winning name will receive a $50 Amazon gift card.

Email your idea to Robin.Miller@Northbay.org. The deadline to submit is 5 p.m. Nov. 4 and the winner will be announced in the December Pulse newsletter. Only one entry per person.

Be sure to include your name, phone number, e-mail address, mailing address and city of residence.

The system uses a familiar controller-like interface resembling a video game controller and allows physicians to navigate the flexible endoscope to the periphery of the lung with improved reach, vision and control. It combines traditional endoscopic views into the lung with computer-assisted navigation, based on 3-D models of the patient's own lung anatomy.

"This technology is an exciting advancement in care available at Northbay," said Northbay Pulmonologist Karan Julka, M.D. "With this system, we can see and biopsy remote parts of the lung that were previously inaccessible."

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, he noted, in part because it has no symptoms in its early stages. "Because the Monarch Platform provides improved reach, vision and control for bronchoscopic procedures, it holds potential to help us to make a diagnosis earlier," Dr. Julka said.

See our previous story for more information on the Monarch system. All name ideas can be emailed to Robin.Miller@Northbay.org. Only one entry per person.