NE SCIENCE & TECH BUREAU
ROURKELA, MAY 26
In a major breakthrough that could redefine the future of healthcare diagnostics in India, researchers at National Institute of Technology Rourkela have developed and patented an advanced AI-enabled microscopy technology capable of rapidly detecting critical diseases such as blood cancer and malaria with remarkable precision.
The cutting-edge innovation, developed by researchers from the Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering in collaboration with startup Glowvista Instruments Private Limited, is being hailed as a potential game changer for next-generation biomedical diagnostics and smart healthcare systems.
The patented technology, titled “A Method for Autofocusing in Optofluidic Microsystems and Processes” (Patent No. 589270), combines artificial intelligence, deep learning, automated motion control and optical imaging to create a highly intelligent microscopy platform capable of delivering rapid, repeatable and accurate diagnostic results with minimal human intervention.
- NIT Rourkela patents AI-powered microscopy technology for advanced healthcare diagnostics
- Indigenous system successfully detects blood cancer and malaria in lab-scale testing
- Smart microscopy platform reduces human error and improves diagnostic accuracy
- Technology developed at low cost of Rs. 1.20 lakh with support from DST, DBT and ANRF
- Researchers eye nationwide deployment and market launch under Make in India initiative
AI Meets Healthcare in a Futuristic Diagnostic Leap
Microscopy remains one of the most critical tools in healthcare for detecting diseases, analysing tissues and identifying infections invisible to the naked eye.
However, conventional microscopy systems still heavily depend on manual focusing and operator expertise — processes that are often time-consuming and vulnerable to human error.
The NIT Rourkela team has now addressed these long-standing limitations through an AI-driven optofluidic digital microscopy platform capable of continuously analysing microscopic images in real time while automatically adjusting focus using an intelligent feedback mechanism.
Experts believe this innovation could significantly improve the speed and accuracy of diagnosing life-threatening diseases while also supporting remote and point-of-care healthcare systems.
Successful Detection of Blood Cancer and Malaria
Developed at a remarkably low cost of Rs. 1.20 lakh, the system demonstrated highly accurate lab-scale results in detecting:
- Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (Blood Cancer)
- Malaria
- Complete Blood Cell counts through advanced blood cell classification
The research team behind the breakthrough includes Prof. Earu Banoth, Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, NIT Rourkela, and Founder & Director (Non-Executive) of Glowvista Instruments Pvt. Ltd.; Dr. Shaik Ahmadsaidulu, Research Graduate, NIT Rourkela; along with NIT Rourkela incubatee, Mr. Amol Lalchand Salve, Design Engineer, and Mr. Padmanaban Selvakumar, Product Manager, from Glowvista Instruments Pvt. Ltd.
The innovation was developed with research grants from the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, Department of Science and Technology and Department of Biotechnology.
‘Our Target Is a Simple Handheld System’
Speaking about the breakthrough, Prof. Banoth said:
“Our target is to develop a simple handheld system that should work as effectively as imported automated microscopy technology with precise information. Further, the system should be extended for various applications, unlike Flow Cytometers and Imaging Flow Cytometers.”
The system’s major features include:
- AI-powered intelligent autofocus
- Real-time image processing
- Automated motion control
- Enhanced imaging of biological samples
- Cloud-enabled learning for continuous improvement
- Improved repeatability and operational efficiency
Researchers believe the platform can eventually support applications in:
- Digital pathology
- Point-of-care healthcare devices
- Smart laboratory automation
- Portable diagnostics
- Microfluidic analysis
- Biomedical and life sciences research
Towards a Market-Ready Indian Healthcare Innovation
The team is now working on expanding field-level testing and generating large-scale diagnostic datasets required for future approvals and commercial deployment.
Speaking about the next phase of development, Prof. Banoth said:
“We are extending our work to develop complete ground truth data as well as scale up the work for deployment at various locations for field testing and to obtain feedback from diagnostic centres and research laboratories. The data will be used for further approvals towards developing a market-ready product, and we look forward to its market launch. At present, we are looking for funding support from both the research and startup sides to scale up the work.”
The innovation strongly aligns with the Government of India’s “Make in India” vision by promoting indigenous, research-driven healthcare technologies capable of making advanced diagnostics more accessible and affordable.
As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes global healthcare systems, NIT Rourkela’s breakthrough could place India firmly on the global map of next-generation medical technology innovation.
