The PulmoVia is said to dissociate the operating channel from the optical assembly to transform the current paradigm, allowing the delivery of a large-diameter operating channel through a small-diameter optic.

Sanovas president and CEO Larry Gerrans said: "We believe the PulmoVia is a breakthrough solution that evolves the longstanding limitations of lung intervention associated with traditional Bronchoscopes and Bronchoscopic interventions, in general.

"It is an important part of our re-imagination of the technologies required to improve diagnostic and therapeutic treatments in the lungs." According to the firm, this advance can effectively double the amount of space within the operating channel, without increasing the geometric footprint of the device.

It will allow clinicians to use larger instruments to obtain tissue samples, retrieve foreign bodies, and initiate therapies while keeping their critical care patients breathing easily.