Amrita Hospital in Faridabad has forged a partnership with IIT Hyderabad to pioneer groundbreaking advancements in cancer treatment through the development of innovative technology in radiation therapy. Dr. Bhaskar Viswanathan, Head of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Amrita Hospital, has been awarded a research grant aimed at creating an indigenous robotic ultrasound system for tumor motion tracking and radiation hyperthermia.

The collaborative effort involves Dr. Avinash Eranki, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at IIT Hyderabad, along with Eranki Labs Private Limited and the Amrita Centre for Advanced Robotics. The proposed technology holds promise for non-invasive cancer treatment, utilizing focused ultrasound waves for tumor ablation, mild hyperthermia, and motion management during radiation delivery.

Dr. Viswanathan expressed pride and excitement regarding the selection for the grant, emphasizing the potential impact of the project on cancer care. The robotic ultrasound system aims to facilitate precise localization of lesions, enabling targeted delivery of therapeutic radiation while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues and organs. By tracking tumor movement in real-time, the technology enhances treatment accuracy during radiation therapy.

Hyperthermia, a component of the proposed technology, involves raising the temperature of the tumor region to increase cancer cell sensitivity to radiation and improve blood flow for enhanced chemotherapy delivery. Dr. Viswanathan highlighted the potential synergistic effects of combining hyperthermia with radiation therapy, leading to improved therapeutic outcomes and reduced radiation doses, thereby minimizing collateral damage to healthy tissue.

Dr. Avinash Eranki underscored the importance of spatially precise delivery of radiation and ultrasound energy in achieving improved patient outcomes for cancer treatment. The collaborative effort between medical and engineering domains leverages interdisciplinary expertise to advance technology in cancer care.

The project, funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), aims to address the critical need for innovation in cancer treatment. The collaboration between Amrita Hospital, IIT Hyderabad, and Eranki Labs Pvt. Ltd. is expected to drive significant advancements in cancer therapy over the next three years, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary partnerships in healthcare innovation.