By: IPP Bureau
Last updated : May 28, 2026 8:43 am
The platform created by NIT Rourkela researchers is capable of delivering rapid, accurate, and repeatable imaging results with minimal human intervention
Researchers from the Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering at National Institute of Technology Rourkela have developed an AI-enabled autofocusing technology that can significantly improve microscopic imaging for biomedical diagnostic applications.
The technology is capable of delivering rapid, accurate, and repeatable imaging results with minimal human intervention.
Developed in collaboration with Glowvista Instruments Private Limited, a startup incubated at NIT Rourkela’s FTBI incubation centre, the research team has secured a patent titled “A Method for Autofocusing in Optofluidic Microsystems and Processes” (Patent No. 589270; Application No. 202431080016).
The research team 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 at NIT Rourkela; along with Amol Lalchand Salve, Design Engineer, and Padmanaban Selvakumar, Product Manager, from Glowvista Instruments Pvt. Ltd.
Developed at a cost of approximately Rs. 1.20 lakh, the system demonstrated accurate results during laboratory-scale testing in detecting Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (blood cancer), malaria, and complete blood cell counts through 5-class and 7-class blood cell categorisation.
Prof. Earu Banoth, Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, NIT Rourkela 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 has been developed with research grants from the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Department of Biotechnology under the Government of India.