Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Agus Rubiyanto, M.Eng.Sc., ITS lecturer, when showing a picture of his research on optical sensors as blood flow detector

ITS Campus, ITS News – In supporting the development of more efficient and accurate medical devices, a lecturer of Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) developed optical sensors to measure the speed of blood flow. This research carried out by a professor from the ITS Physics Department, Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Agus Rubiyanto, M.Eng.Sc., successfully passed as a postgraduate research program by the Ministry of Research and Technology (Kemenristek).

This professor, who is familiarly called Ruby, informed that the background of his research was the importance of blood flow in monitoring health. Many types of diseases are affected by a person’s blood flow. “Therefore, it is necessary to develop medical devices to support the measurement of blood flow,” he stated.

Ruby admitted that his research aimed to develop self-mixing interferometer sensors as blood flow measuring sensors that can be applied in the world of health. The self-mixing interferometer sensor is an optical sensor that has been widely developed by scientists in numerous research works, and industrial technologies. “I see that this interferometer self-mixing sensor also has the potential to be developed in health technology,” conveyed this man who is the Head of ITS Fundamental Science Research Center.

In addition, Ruby continued that the self-mixing interferometer itself is an optical sensor where the light inside the sensor can interact with each other. Unlike conventional interferometers, the self-mixing interferometer signal can be reflected alone inside the laser cavity. “The modulated wave strength of the self-mixing interferometer can be used to estimate the target speed, which in this study, is the blood flow,” he identified.

Artificial heart rate signals detected by the optical self-mixing interferometer sensors

According to this alumnus of Optoelectronics and Laser Applications, the University of Indonesia, the challenge he faced in developing the research was that the materials needed to complete optical sensors were still not widely found in Indonesia, including the self-mixing interferometer sensors that can only be found in Europe. “In addition, we also need to do Arduino programming to connect sensors with medical concepts regarding blood flow measurement,” he elaborated.

This alumnus of Paderborn University, Germany, also mentioned that to complete the research, it requires maximum time and effort. During the two years of his research, Ruby and several other postgraduate students continue to develop further research to get maximum results later. “This research is indeed not easy, on top of its detailed components, it also requires synchronization with blood flow and the anatomy of the human body,” he clarified.

This lecturer, who was born in Surabaya, added that the blood measuring devices, which use optical sensors will have advantages compared to conventional blood gauges. This optical sensor can measure a patient’s blood flow without touching the patient, so the application will make the patient more comfortable. “In addition, because it makes use of the self-mixing interferometer sensor with a modulated waveform, the measurement results will definitely be more accurate,” emphasized Ruby, former dean of the ITS Faculty of Scientics.

Finally, Ruby hopes that in the future, the self-mixing interferometer-based blood measuring device can support the development of technology in the medical field. In addition, he also said that being a scientist requires patience and perseverance. ”We also learn, that God’s knowledge is very broad and great, therefore we, as God’s creatures, must learn more to be able to get maximum results,” he concluded. (sin/ory/ITS Public Relations)