BARC develops Ruthenium plaque indigenously for eye cancer therapy|Source: DAE, India
A team of scientists from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has developed the first indigenous Ruthenium (Ru-106) Plaque for eye cancer therapy. BARC is lauded for developing Eye Cancer therapy in the form of the first indigenous Ruthenium 106 Plaque for the treatment of Ocular Tumours. The handling of plaque is very convenient for the Surgeon and it has been acknowledged to be at par with international standards. The availability of indigenously produced Ru-106 plaques will reduce the cost of treatment and help to save the vision of a large number of patients.
The process of selective separation and purification of Ru-106 requires a series of scientifically involved steps. Pure Ru-106 thus obtained is electro-deposited over silver discs and is subsequently sealed under controlled atmosphere to produce the plaques.
The first batch of Ru-106 plaques, with round configuration, have been evaluated by leading ophthalmic centres like Dr Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS, New Delhi; Centre for Sight Hospital, Hyderabad and Sankara Eye Hospital, Bangalore. Ophthalmic surgeons have confirmed that the BARC plaque handling is surgeon-friendly and is at par with international standards in all aspects. The second batch, having notched configuration, was sent to the above ophthalmic centres for evaluation. Within two months, 10 patients have been treated satisfactorily using these plaques.