NIT Rourkela Patents AI-Powered Microscopy Technology for Faster Disease Diagnosis
Researchers said the system addresses major limitations of conventional microscopy
Odisha: Researchers at National Institute of Technology Rourkela have developed and patented an AI-enabled autofocusing microscopy technology aimed at improving biomedical diagnostics through rapid and accurate imaging with minimal human intervention.
The innovation, developed by the department of biotechnology and medical engineering in collaboration with startup Glowvista Instruments Private Limited, has demonstrated successful lab-scale results in detecting Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (blood cancer), malaria and conducting complete blood cell classification.
The patent, titled “A Method for Autofocusing in Optofluidic Microsystems and Processes” (Patent No. 589270), was granted for a technology that integrates deep learning with optical imaging and automated motion control to continuously analyse microscopic images in real time and automatically adjust focus.
Researchers said the system addresses major limitations of conventional microscopy, which often depends on manual adjustments that can lead to inconsistent results, diagnostic errors and delays in treatment.
The research team was led by Prof. Earu Banoth, Assistant Professor at NIT Rourkela and Founder & Director (Non-Executive) of Glowvista Instruments Pvt. Ltd., along with Dr. Shaik Ahmadsaidulu, research graduate at NIT Rourkela, and incubatees Amol Lalchand Salve and Padmanaban Selvakumar from Glowvista Instruments.
Developed at a cost of around Rs 1.20 lakh, the system features AI-powered intelligent autofocus, automated motion control, enhanced imaging of complex biological samples, cloud-enabled learning and user-friendly operation with improved accuracy and repeatability.
Speaking about the technology, Prof. Banoth said the team aims to develop a simple handheld system capable of performing at par with imported automated microscopy technologies while remaining affordable and adaptable for multiple applications.
The project received funding support from the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Biotechnology.
Researchers said the technology has potential applications in biomedical diagnostics, digital pathology, AI-assisted microscopy, point-of-care healthcare devices, smart laboratory automation and portable diagnostic systems.
The team is now working on scaling up the technology for field deployment and validation at diagnostic centres and research laboratories, with the goal of developing a market-ready product in line with the Government of India’s Make in India initiative.
