The ROPES 15mm kit consists of these components.
ROPES plaques in the 1990s were available from:
Radiation Oncology Physics and Engineering Services Ltd
PO Box 18, St Pauls N.S.W. Australia 2031
Tel/Fax +61 2 9700 0699, email: ropes@ozemail.com.au

Plaques which use removable radionuclide sources such as the COMS, ROPES, and Eye Physics plaques are often assembled on-site prior to use.

R.O.P.E.S. documents from the 1990s era recommended their plaque components and active sources be assembled from individually sterilised components, according to the procedure outlined below, just prior to use in the patient. This requires assembly under sterile conditions in close proximity to the patient during surgery. R.O.P.E.S. also recommended that the plaque be dismantled and cleaned immediately after it is removed from the patient. A description for cleaning is provided.

Abstracted from a 1990s version of the manufacturer's guide.

The vacuum holder should be connected to a small rotary pump and held down firmly.

The acrylic insert should be placed over the hole in the vacuum holder and the pump turned on. The insert should be tested for rigidity and firmness before loading the radioactive seeds.

Load a seed in each of the slots provided. Only a very fine pair of forceps should be used. Each slot has room for the tips of the forceps. Clasp gently only the centre of each seed. Some seeds may be too large to fit in the slots. This is because the welds are too large. Do not attempt to push these seeds into place. (The seeds should not be treated roughly otherwise they may break causing a major radiation hazard).

Place a small bead of a sterile paraffin grease (such as Lacri-lube, a sterile ocular lubricant) around the rim of the ejector pin. Place the ejector pin in its place inside the stainless steel shell. Test for looseness. The ejector pin must be held in place by surface tension forces and should not fall out when the steel shell is inverted.

Place a small bead of sterile ocular lubricant around the inside wall of the stainless steel shell. It is this wall that will be in contact with the wall of the acrylic insert. The surface tension forces will be sufficient to prevent the plaque from coming apart. A drop test from about 15 cm should be used to confirm this. The lubricant not only helps keep the components together, but also facilitates the dismantling and minimises the entry of human fluids into the plaque.

Place the stainless steel shell over the seed-loaded insert and push down gently.

Turn the rotary pump off and vent the system. The assembled plaque can now be removed and placed in a sterile radiation safe container for transport to the theatre.