Dr Christopher Orton

Clinical expertise

Dr Orton holds specialist expertise in:

• lung nodules 
• acute and chronic cough 
• respiratory infection 
• asthma 
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 
• lung cancer diagnostics 

Dr Orton performs a range of diagnostic, and therapeutic bronchoscopic techniques: 

• diagnostic bronchoscopy i.e. bronchoalveolar lavage 
• EBUS (endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration) 
• robotic navigation bronchoscopy 
• cryobiopsy 
• endobronchial valves 
• bronchial thermoplasty 
• thermal vapour ablation 
• metered cryospray

He is a key part of Royal Brompton airways, and lung cancer diagnostic services, working in close partnership with the Royal Marsden Hospital. 

Dr Orton is one of the most experienced “Ion robotic navigation bronchoscopy” operators in Europe, and works with the manufacturer to support new users with their first cases internationally. Dr Orton’s efforts to help develop Europe’s first, and largest robotic navigation bronchoscopy service were recognised through the 2024 LaingBuisson Award: Innovation in Care category. 

Biography

Dr Christopher Orton graduated from St George’s Hospital Medical School with MBBS and a BSc in Biochemistry and Immunology. Having completed his general medical and respiratory specialty training in London, Dr Orton has worked at prestigious teaching hospitals, including Hammersmith Hospital, St Mary’s Hospital, St George’s Hospital, and the Royal Brompton Hospital. Dr Orton has completed a PhD with Imperial College London on the effects of epithelial resurfacing with liquid nitrogen on patients with chronic bronchitis. 

Through his continued links with Imperial College London, Dr Orton is highly active in basic science and clinical research, conducting studies, supervising PhD students, and publishing papers in high-impact medical journals.

Research

As an Honorary Senior Lecturer with Imperial College London, Dr Orton is highly active in basic science and clinical research, conducting studies, supervising PhD students, and publishing papers in high-impact medical journals. Dr Orton is a co-applicant on >£5 million of competitive grant funding. 

Dr Orton’s current research interests include:

• bronchoscopic intervention in airways disease including COPD, emphysema and asthma
• bronchoscopic navigation and ablation of lung nodules/cancer
• robotic bronchoscopy
• aerosol and droplet formation
• bronchial epithelial function and epithelial resurfacing
• remote monitoring with wearables and bioalgorithm generation
• COVID-19
• antiviral therapies

Publications

Dr Orton has published many research papers covering topics such as COVID-19, oral respiratory droplets, breathing in exercise and chronic bronchitis in COPD.

Awards

• 2021 British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting, BTS/BALR/BLF Early Career Investigator Award 2021 Finalist + Highly Commended 
• 2024 LaingBuisson Award: Innovation in Care category 
• 2024 European Respiratory Society Conference, Best Abstract in Assembly 14: Clinical techniques, imaging, and endoscopy 
• 2024 Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians UK