Heart-Alert: Automating Emergency Service Activation for Out of Hospital Cardiac Emergencies

The Unmet Need: Dramatically Improving Cardiac Arrest Survival Rates

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) represent a critical global health crisis, claiming over 500,000 lives annually across Europe and 350,000 in the United States alone. In the UK, the incidence is approximately 55 per 100,000 adults, resulting in around 30,000 EMS-attended OHCAs every year. However, the survival rate remains shockingly low at less than 10%.

This staggeringly high mortality is driven by two key factors: 

1) delays in emergency recognition and activation, and 

2) lack of immediate life-saving interventions like CPR and defibrillation.

Over 35% of OHCA cases occur without any witness present to call emergency services, leaving the victim's collapse unnoticed. Even when 999/911 is called immediately, average ambulance response times of 7 to 9 minutes decrease the chance of survival by 60-90%.

Furthermore, significant health disparities exist, with more deprived communities and higher ethnic minority populations experiencing higher OHCA rates, lower bystander CPR, and less access to public defibrillators. This compounds the problem, leaving already vulnerable populations at even greater risk.

The Innovative Solution: Automated OHCA Detection and Emergency Activation

Your Cue's finger based wearable device (The Cue Ring) addresses these critical gaps through an automated, AI-powered solution. By continuously monitoring vital signs including PPG, temperature, single lead ECG (non-continuous) and motion, the device can rapidly detect changes and physiological patterns indicative of cardiac arrest. When an OHCA event is identified, the device immediately alerts emergency services, using in built cellular connectivity and shares the user's GPS location, and can even prompt nearby registered first responders - all without relying on human witnesses.

This breakthrough innovation fundamentally transforms OHCA emergency response by eliminating the delays caused by waiting for someone to recognize the crisis and call 999/911. Instead, life-saving interventions can be activated within seconds of cardiac arrest onset, drastically improving the odds of survival.

Scalable Impact and Healthcare System Integration

If deployed widely, Your Cue's technology has the potential to save thousands of lives annually in the UK and over a quarter-million globally. By enabling faster emergency activation and increasing bystander CPR and defibrillation rates, the device could boost OHCA survival from the current 10% up to 30-50% - a transformative impact.

The solution's seamless integration with local ambulance services and compatibility with existing emergency response infrastructure will ensure equitable nationwide access, addressing the disparities seen in current outcomes. Additionally, the device's affordability and suitability for deployment in care homes, hospitals, and high-risk patient populations can further broaden its lifesaving reach.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests represent a massive global health challenge claiming over 850,000 lives yearly across Europe and the US. Your Cue's innovative wearable device, leveraging advanced AI, enhanced machine learning and multi-sensor data, directly addresses the key drivers of this crisis - delayed emergency activation and lack of immediate intervention. By automating the detection and alerting process, the solution has immense potential to dramatically improve survival rates and save countless lives, while also tackling the inequities that currently plague OHCA outcomes.

Heart-Alert: An Automated Cardiac Arrest Detection and Emergency Alerting Wearable 

Despite advancements in emergency medical care, out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) remain a leading cause of preventable death worldwide. In the US alone, there are approximately 300,000 EMS-attended OHCA cases annually, with a survival rate of less than 10%. Tragically, over 50% of these events occur without any witnesses present to recognize the emergency and call for help. Even when 911 is contacted immediately in US, average ambulance response times of 7 minutes can decrease the victim's chance of survival by 60-90%.

This critical gap in rapid emergency activation is the key challenge addressed by the Heart-Alert wearable device. Leveraging a combination of advanced sensor technologies, machine learning algorithms and built in artificial intelligence, Heart-Alert provides an automated, life-saving solution.

At the core of Heart-Alert is a compact, finger-worn form factor that continuously monitors the user's vital signs (The Cue Ring). Cutting-edge photoplethysmography (PPG), single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), temperature, and motion sensors collect real-time physiological data. Sophisticated machine learning algorithms then analyze this multimodal sensor input to instantly detect the unique patterns indicative of a cardiac anomaly.

Once the device's AI identifies and confirms a high-probability cardiac emergency, Heart-Alert springs into action. It automatically sends an emergency alert to Your Cue's 24*7 help centre, simultaneously uploading all vital sign data collected within the last 15 minutes. The Your Cue team confirms the emergency in the next 120 seconds and forwards the alert to the local ambulance dispatch centre, transmitting the user's precise GPS coordinates to enable the fastest possible response. Simultaneously, the device can notify nearby registered volunteer first responders, prompting them to rush to the scene and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation before EMS arrives.

This ability to activate the emergency response within seconds of cardiac arrest onset is a game-changing innovation. It eliminates the critical delays caused by waiting for a bystander to recognize the crisis and dial 999. By empowering immediate life-saving interventions, Heart-Alert has immense potential to dramatically improve OHCA survival rates, which decrease by 7-10% with each minute of delay.

Beyond the device's core cardiac arrest detection and alerting capabilities, Heart-Alert also incorporates features to enhance user safety and wellness. Built-in fall detection can trigger emergency notifications if the user experiences a dangerous fall or loss of consciousness. The device can also track long-term trends in the user's heart rate, activity levels, and other vital signs, providing valuable data to support proactive healthcare management.

Heart-Alert represents a quantum leap forward in out-of-hospital cardiac emergency response. By seamlessly integrating advanced sensor technologies, machine learning, and automated emergency activation, this innovative wearable has the power to save millions of lives globally. With the potential to boost OHCA survival from less than 10% to as high as 50%, Heart-Alert offers a transformative solution to one of the world's most pressing healthcare challenges.

Heart-Alert's target population is individuals at high risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, particularly those with underlying cardiovascular conditions, the elderly, and those living alone or in care facilities. These groups are currently underserved due to several critical gaps:

1. High OHCA Incidence and Mortality Rates: The British Heart Foundation reports that 7.6 million people in the UK suffer from cardiovascular diseases, and the American Heart Association states that nearly half of all people in the U.S. (48.6%) have some type of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke and, most notably, high blood pressure putting them at elevated risk of sudden cardiac arrest. However, the survival rate for OHCA remains dismal, with less than 1 in 10 individuals surviving. This disproportionately impacts the elderly, who account for the majority of OHCA cases.

2. Delayed Emergency Response: Over 50% of OHCA events occur without any witnesses present to recognize the crisis and call emergency services. Even when 999/911 is contacted immediately, average ambulance response times of 7-9 minutes decrease survival odds by 60-90%. This delay in activating life-saving interventions is a critical barrier for high-risk populations, especially those living alone or in care facilities.

3. Lack of Bystander CPR and Defibrillation: Research shows that immediate CPR and defibrillation dramatically improve OHCA outcomes, yet bystander CPR rates remain low, occurring in only 40% of cases that are discovered. Access to public defibrillators is also limited, particularly in more deprived areas with higher ethnic minority populations, with some stats showing that an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is used prior to EMS arrival, only ~2% of the time. This leaves already vulnerable groups at an even greater disadvantage.

Heart-Alert will directly address these pressing needs through its automated cardiac event detection and emergency notification capabilities. By continuously monitoring the user's vital signs and leveraging advanced AI, the finger based device can identify the unique physiological patterns indicative of cardiac arrest within seconds. It then instantly activates emergency services, shares the user's location, and even prompts nearby registered responders - all without requiring human intervention.

This breakthrough innovation has immense potential to transform OHCA outcomes for the target high-risk population. By eliminating the delays in recognizing the emergency and calling for help, Heart-Alert can boost the chances of survival from the current dismal 10% up to 30-50%. This dramatic improvement in survivability could save thousands of lives annually, especially among the elderly and those living independently.

Moreover, Heart-Alert's seamless integration with local emergency response systems ensures equitable access, addressing the disparities seen in current OHCA outcomes. The device's affordability and suitability for deployment in care homes, hospitals, and other high-risk settings further broadens its reach to serve the most vulnerable populations.

Heart-Alert's target users are individuals at elevated risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, particularly the elderly, those with cardiovascular conditions, and those living alone or in care facilities. By automating the detection and emergency activation process, the wearable device directly addresses the critical gaps in rapid response that disproportionately impact these underserved groups.

Sonakshi Senthil has always been driven by a deep passion for improving healthcare standards. This mission was forged through early experiences working in some of the most challenging medical environments.

During her university years, Sonakshi completed an internship @ renowned Aravind Eye Hospital in rural India. Tasked with optimizing the hospital's administrative workflows, Sonakshi found herself immersed in day-to-day realities faced by healthcare providers serving resource-constrained communities. She witnessed the immense challenges of delivering efficient, equitable care at scale - but also the life-changing impact such innovations could have.

"Seeing Aravind's model of using technology and process improvements to radically expand access to essential services was truly inspiring," Sonakshi recalls. "I knew then that I wanted to dedicate my career to developing solutions that could transform healthcare for vulnerable populations globally."

This transformative experience, combined with Sonakshi's distinction-level master's degree in Personalized Medicine from UCL, set the stage for her next chapter. In 2020, she co-founded Your Cue, a healthcare technology start-up on a mission to enable continuous patient monitoring and early intervention.

Sonakshi's technical expertise, entrepreneurial drive, and personal passion for improving global health outcomes led to her being recognized as one of the Top 100 Asians in UK Tech in 2023. But her work was just getting started.

Joining Sonakshi in founding Your Cue was Dr. Nikhit Anilbhai, a medical doctor with a unique combination of clinical experience and advanced technical skills. Nikhit's story is one of profound personal tragedy that has fuelled an unwavering determination to save lives.

During the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nikhit found himself on the frontlines, treating nearly 5,000 critically ill patients across two hospitals. Working around the clock in 120-hour weeks, he witnessed first-hand the devastating human toll of healthcare system shortcomings.

"I gave everything I had to try and save those patients," Nikhit remembers. "But I knew deep down that we needed new innovations to provide the kind of timely, proactive care that could truly make a difference."

Tragically, Nikhit's own father passed away shortly after, suffering complications that went undetected until it was too late. This personal loss crystallized Nikhit's mission - to develop technologies that could monitor patients continuously and trigger early interventions, preventing unnecessary deaths.

With Sonakshi's expertise in healthcare innovation and Nikhit's frontline medical experience, their second project, the Heart-Alert wearable, aims to transform outcomes for millions of people at high risk of sudden cardiac arrest worldwide.

To ensure the device truly meets the needs of high-risk cardiac patients, they are actively engaging with focus groups, patient advocacy organizations, and community healthcare providers. This allows them to incorporate the first-hand experiences, ideas, and agendas of the elderly, those with cardiovascular conditions, and individuals living independently or in care facilities.

The team is also partnering with local emergency services to align the Heart-Alert system with existing protocols and infrastructure, enabling seamless integration that empowers equitable access for underserved populations. This community-centric approach is central to the solution's design and implementation to maximize its real-world impact.

Your Cue has developed an initial prototype for the Heart-Alert wearable device, which they are now seeking to advance to the next stage of development.

The key details about their current progress are:

Prototype Development:

Your Cue has already developed a version 1 of the Heart-Alert device that utilizes a combination of PPG, single-lead ECG, temperature, and motion sensors to continuously monitor the user's vital signs. This prototype has demonstrated the ability to detect abnormal heart rate patterns (using PPG raw data analysis) indicative of cardiac arrhythmias and trigger detailed ECG recordings that could then be used to alert emergency services and to guide clinicians in following check ups. It is a finger based device, capable of fitting multiple finger sizes and has integrated cellular connectivity and GPS.

Even though the sensors being used within the device are renowned for their clinical grade accuracy, they along with the built in algorithms have yet to be tested on real life subjects with significant cardiac anomalies and the sensitivity and specificity of the device with respect to cardiac arrest detection are yet to be determined.

The team is currently scouting for partnerships with local emergency services within the UK and is looking to soft test the solution with real life users.

Innovate UK Funding:

The company has previously secured funding from Innovate UK to support the development of this prototype, indicating that the innovation has already undergone some level of technical validation and feasibility testing.

As the co-founders of Your Cue, Sonakshi Senthil and Dr. Nikhit Anilbhai are applying to the MIT Solve program with the goal of overcoming key technical, market, and legal barriers to accelerate the development and deployment of their life-saving Heart-Alert ecosystem and finger based device.

Sonakshi explains, "While we've made important progress in developing a functional prototype, we now face the challenge of scaling our innovation to deliver real-world impact at the pace required to address the urgent cardiac arrest crisis. Solve's unique program and ecosystem can provide immense value in helping us overcome these hurdles."

The primary technical barriers lie in further refining the Heart-Alert's embedded firmware for enhanced battery life, enhancing the machine learning algorithms for more accurate cardiac event detection, and rigorously validating the device's performance through comprehensive clinical trials. "As a medical doctor and researcher turned entrepreneur, I know how critical it is to get these technical elements right to ensure our solution is both effective and safe," notes Dr. Anilbhai. "Solve's access to world-class technical experts and resources could be transformative in helping us overcome these barriers."

Beyond the technological challenges, the team also faces significant market access and adoption hurdles. Sonakshi elaborates, "Integrating Heart-Alert with emergency response systems and care provider workflows is essential, but navigating these complex healthcare ecosystems requires specialized knowledge, especially since the system varies significantly from region to region''

Perhaps most critically, the development and deployment of a cardiac emergency detection wearable like Heart-Alert raises important legal and regulatory considerations that the Your Cue team would require MIT Solve's guidance and support to navigate effectively:

Key legal risks include data privacy concerns, liability for false negative alerts, and integration with emergency response systems. However, the immense potential benefits of saving thousands of lives annually could outweigh these challenges with the right legal frameworks and partnerships facilitated by Solve.

Lastly, the team currently lacks the financial resources to fully execute on their ambitious roadmap. "As a young start-up, we simply don't have the capital required to accelerate our development, conduct large-scale clinical trials, and drive broad commercialization," says Sonakshi. "The funding, investment, and fundraising assistance offered through Solve could be a game-changer in turning our proof-of-concept into a deployable solution that saves lives."

Ultimately, the Your Cue team's combination of technical expertise, personal motivation, and market understanding positions them uniquely to deliver the Heart-Alert solution. But the support and partnership opportunities provided by MIT Solve could be the catalyst needed to accelerate their impact and save thousands of lives. As Sonakshi concludes, "Solve isn't just a funding opportunity - it's a chance to unlock our full potential as proximate leaders driving meaningful change."

The Heart-Alert wearable device represents a ground-breaking, innovative approach to addressing the global crisis of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs). Its key innovations lie in the seamless integration of cutting-edge sensor technologies, advanced artificial intelligence, and automated emergency response capabilities:

Continuous Vital Sign Monitoring: Unlike existing emergency alert devices that rely on manual activation, Heart-Alert can continuously (up to 3200 readings/second) track the user's heart rate, oxygen levels, temperature, and motion using a combination of PPG, single-led ECG, and other sensors. This allows the device to detect the earliest physiological signs of a cardiac emergency, even when the user is unable to activate the system themselves.

Advanced Cardiac Event Detection AI: The device's sophisticated machine learning algorithms analyze this real-time multimodal sensor data to identify patterns indicative of life-threatening cardiac events like arrhythmias or cardiac arrest. This AI-powered analytics engine will be able to recognize these critical situations with a high degree of accuracy, eliminating the need for human witnesses to diagnose the emergency.

Automated Emergency Activation: Once the Heart-Alert's AI detects a cardiac emergency, the device instantly triggers an alert. It automatically contacts the Your Cue 24*7 helpline team and the emergency services, using inbuilt cellular connectivity and shares the user's precise GPS location, even notifying nearby registered responders - all within seconds of the crisis onset. This radically reduces the time to emergency response, a critical factor driving improved OHCA survival rates.

This combination of continuous monitoring, advanced analytics, and autonomous emergency activation represents a transformative leap beyond current solutions that still rely on human intervention. By taking the need for a witness out of the loop, Heart-Alert addresses the major gap where over 50% of OHCAs occur without any witnesses present to call for help.

Moreover, the seamless integration of Heart-Alert with local emergency dispatch systems and healthcare provider workflows can catalyze broader positive impacts. By serving as a model for how automated wearable technologies can transform emergency response, the solution has the potential to inspire and accelerate similar innovations not only across the cardiac care landscape, but also in other sectors such as stroke, seizure and fall detection etc. This could drive systemic changes in the way OHCA incidents are detected, treated, and prevented on a global scale.

The market implications are also significant. The global wearable healthcare technology industry is projected to reach $69.2 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 11.2%. Heart-Alert's unique value proposition and proven ability to save lives could position it as a game-changing disruption in this rapidly expanding market, driving new standards of care and opening up previously untapped opportunities.

Heart-Alert's innovations in continuous monitoring, advanced AI analytics, and automated emergency activation represent a breakthrough approach to the OHCA crisis. By eliminating reliance on human witnesses, the wearable device has immense potential to transform survivability rates worldwide while catalyzing broader positive impacts across the care ecosystem and healthcare technology market.

Activities:

The core activities for the Heart-Alert solution involve the development, testing, and deployment of the finger based device.

This includes:
- Refining the embedded hardware and firmware to optimize performance, power consumption, and user experience
- Enhancing the machine learning algorithms to improve the accuracy of cardiac event detection
- Conducting extensive clinical trials and real-world pilots to validate the device's efficacy
- Integrating the Heart-Alert system with emergency dispatch centres and first responder networks

Outputs:
These activities will result in the following key outputs:
1. A clinically-validated, production-ready Heart-Alert wearable device that can accurately detect cardiac emergencies and automatically alert emergency services.
2. Established partnerships and integration with local emergency response systems to enable seamless emergency activation and dispatch.
3. A scalable deployment model and distribution channels to make the Heart-Alert accessible to high-risk populations.
4. User education materials and training programs to promote widespread adoption and proper usage of the device.

Immediate Outcomes:
By delivering these outputs, the Heart-Alert solution aims to achieve the following immediate outcomes:
1. Increased rates of cardiac emergency detection and activation of emergency medical response, even in cases where no human witnesses are present.
2. Reduced delays in time-to-treatment, as the automated emergency alerts reach first responders and EMS within seconds of a cardiac event.
3. Greater accessibility and utilization of the Heart-Alert device among high-risk populations, including the elderly, those with cardiovascular conditions, and individuals living independently or in care facilities.

Long-Term Outcomes:
Through these immediate outcomes, the Heart-Alert solution is expected to drive the following long-term, high-level impacts:
1. Significantly improved survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) incidents, increasing from the current dismal 10% up to 30-50%.
2. Significantly reduced disability and improved quality of life for OHCA survivors, as earlier intervention prevents or mitigates anoxic brain injury.
3. More equitable access to emergency cardiac care, addressing the disparities seen in current OHCA outcomes across socioeconomic and demographic lines.
4. Reduced strain on emergency medical services and healthcare systems by enabling faster response and treatment of cardiac emergencies.

Evidence Supporting the Theory of Change:

The causal links in this theory of change are grounded in extensive research on OHCA epidemiology and emergency response:

- Studies show that each minute of delay in defibrillation decreases OHCA survival by 7-10%.
- Approximately 50% of OHCA cases occur without any witnesses present to activate emergency services.
- Faster emergency response times and bystander CPR are strongly correlated with higher OHCA survival rates.
- Disparities exist in OHCA incidence, bystander CPR, and access to defibrillators across socioeconomic and demographic lines.

By addressing these critical gaps through the innovative Heart-Alert technology, the proposed theory of change outlines a clear pathway to dramatically improve outcomes for the millions affected by out-of-hospital cardiac arrests worldwide by increasing their survival rate as well as improving the quality of life for survivors.

The primary impact goals for the Heart-Alert solution are to significantly improve survival rates and long-term outcomes for individuals experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs). Specifically, we aim to:

1. Increase OHCA survival rates from the current 10% to at least 30% within 3 years of widespread deployment.

The current low survival rates for OHCA are unacceptable, particularly given that faster response times, witnessed collapses, and early defibrillation can dramatically improve chances of survival. Heart-Alert aims to address this by automatically detecting cardiac emergencies and instantly alerting emergency services and nearby responders, eliminating the critical delays caused by lack of witnesses.

2. Reduce the incidence of cognitive impairment and other long-term complications in OHCA survivors by 50%. 

Currently, over 10% of OHCA survivors suffer debilitating cognitive impairments and reduced quality of life due to the prolonged lack of oxygen to the brain. By reducing response times and enabling faster access to life-saving interventions, Heart-Alert can mitigate this devastating outcome and allow survivors to regain their quality of life.

3. Improve equitable access to lifesaving OHCA detection and emergency care, especially in underserved and deprived communities that currently have lower bystander CPR rates and less access to public defibrillators.

Cardiac arrest incidence, bystander CPR, and defibrillator access are all significantly lower in more deprived areas and those with higher ethnic minority populations. Heart-Alert will help address these health disparities by providing automated detection and emergency activation regardless of witness presence or bystander intervention.

To track progress towards these impact goals, we will monitor a combination of clinical, operational, and user engagement metrics:

Clinical Metrics:
- OHCA survival rates in pilot deployment areas, with a target of at least 30% within 3 years
- Incidence of post-OHCA cognitive impairment and other complications in pilot sites, aiming for a 50% reduction to current standards
- Time from cardiac arrest onset to emergency services dispatch and first responder arrival, with a target of under 5 minutes (currently there are no metrics for the same)

Operational Metrics: 
- Bystander CPR rates and public defibrillator use in pilot communities, particularly in areas with higher deprivation and ethnic minority populations
- Adoption and utilization of the Heart-Alert system by emergency services, healthcare providers, and at-risk patients

User Engagement Metrics:
- Satisfaction and feedback from OHCA victims, their families, and healthcare providers utilizing the Heart-Alert system
- Engagement and retention rates among high-risk patient populations using the Heart-Alert device

We will collect this data through a combination of medical record reviews, community surveys, usage analytics, and user feedback mechanisms. This data will be analyzed quarterly to assess progress towards our impact goals and inform ongoing refinements to the Heart-Alert solution and deployment strategy.

At the heart of the Heart-Alert solution is a combination of cutting-edge sensors and machine learning (ML) platform that enables real-time detection of cardiac emergencies. The device uses a combination of photoplethysmography (PPG), single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), skin temperature, and motion sensors to continuously monitor the user's vital signs.

The PPG sensor captures changes in blood volume under the skin, allowing the system to detect abnormal heart rhythms, oxygen saturation drops and other cardiovascular irregularities. The single-lead ECG provides an additional data source to confirm any suspected arrhythmias or other cardiac events initially detected by the PPG. The skin temperature and motion sensors help the system differentiate between cardiac episodes and other physiological events like seizures or falls.

This sensor data is processed by advanced deep neural networks trained on large datasets of cardiac events and physiological patterns. The ML models are designed to rapidly identify the signatures of various life-threatening conditions, including different types of arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, seizures, and sudden collapses. 

By integrating these sensors and AI-powered analytics, the Heart-Alert device can automatically detect the onset of a cardiac emergency, even in the absence of a conscious user or bystander witness. This is a key innovation compared to existing emergency alert systems that rely on manual user activation.

Once an emergency is detected, the Heart-Alert device instantly uses its built-in GPS and cellular connectivity to alert emergency services, trigger the dispatch of first responders, and notify nearby citizen responders through a connected mobile app. This automation is crucial, as survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests decrease by 7-10% for every minute without CPR or defibrillation.

To ensure robust performance and reliability, the Heart-Alert device incorporates several design features:

- Low-power sensor modules and efficient data processing to enable long battery life and continuous monitoring
- Onboard data storage and offline processing capabilities to maintain functionality even when cellular connectivity is disrupted
- Tamper-resistant enclosure and encrypted data transmission to protect user privacy and security

By continuously monitoring at-risk populations, rapidly detecting cardiac emergencies, and automatically activating life-saving interventions, the Heart-Alert solution aims to revolutionize emergency response and dramatically improve survivability for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. Through this innovative combination of sensor technology and AI-powered analytics, we are confident that Heart-Alert can save thousands of lives and transform cardiac care in the UK and globally.

Co-founders- 2 (Sonakshi Senthil and Dr Nikhit Anilbhai)

Founding team- 2

Interns UK- 3

Interns India- 2

Part time engineers- 3

Product Designers - 3

Both Co-founders have been working on this solution for 2 years and 5 months now.

Founding team member 1 has been working for 1 year 9 months and
Founding team member 2 has been working for 1 month.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values that are deeply embedded within the Heart-Alert team and our approach to developing this lifesaving technology. We recognize that diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences are essential to driving innovation and ensuring our solution meets the needs of all members of the community.

Our leadership team exemplifies this commitment to diversity. Our co-founders, Dr. Nikhit Anilbhai and Ms. Sonakshi Senthil, are both of Indian origin. They came to the UK as students and decided to build this venture here with the support of University College London, bringing complementary expertise in medicine and biotechnology, respectively. Dr. Anilbhai's medical background and experience in nanotechnology provide crucial clinical insights, while Ms. Senthil's business acumen and prior success in grant-funded projects ensure effective project management and commercialization strategies.

Beyond the founding duo, our extended team includes individuals with diverse academic and professional backgrounds. Our technical lead, Mr. Piyush Shah, has over a decade of experience in medical device development, while our embedded systems engineer, Mr. Rohit Banerjee, contributes specialized expertise in electrical engineering and robotics. We have also engaged Professor Jim Briggs, a renowned expert in healthcare informatics, to serve as an advisor on the AI/ML and clinical validation aspects of the project.

Importantly, our team composition reflects the diversity of the communities we aim to serve. We have team members from varied ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, ensuring that our solution development is informed by a wide range of lived experiences. This diversity also extends to gender, with women comprising half of our core team.

To further strengthen our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we have implemented several key initiatives:

1. Recruitment and hiring practices: We actively seek out candidates from underrepresented groups, leveraging our partnerships with academic institutions, professional organizations, and community networks to expand our talent pipeline. Our job postings and interview processes are designed to minimize bias and ensure equitable consideration.

2. Inclusive work environment: We have established clear policies and guidelines to foster a welcoming, supportive, and psychologically safe work environment for all team members. This includes ongoing training on unconscious bias, facilitating open discussions about diversity and inclusion, and providing avenues for anonymous feedback and grievance redressal.

3. Accessibility and accommodations: We strive to ensure that our work processes, tools, and physical spaces are accessible to individuals with diverse abilities. This includes providing assistive technologies, flexible work arrangements, and customized support as needed.

4. Community engagement: Throughout the development of Heart-Alert, we are actively engaging with patient advocacy groups, community organizations, and healthcare providers serving underserved populations. This allows us to better understand their unique needs and barriers, and integrate their insights to shape our solution.

By embedding these principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion into every aspect of our work, the Heart-Alert team is committed to creating a solution that is truly inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of the communities we aim to serve.

Key Customers and Beneficiaries: The primary customers for the Heart-Alert solution are healthcare providers and organizations serving at-risk populations, including:

1. NHS Ambulance Services: Heart-Alert will enable faster emergency response and dispatch of first responders to out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs), improving survival rates and reducing the burden on ambulance services.

2. Care Homes and Assisted Living Facilities: By continuously monitoring residents, Heart-Alert can automatically detect cardiac emergencies and alert staff and emergency services, protecting a vulnerable population that experiences high OHCA rates.

3. General Practice (GP) Clinics: Heart-Alert devices can be prescribed to high-risk patients with cardiovascular conditions, allowing proactive monitoring and early intervention to prevent cardiac events.

4. Cardiovascular Disease Patient Groups: Heart-Alert will empower patients and their families by providing a critical lifeline in the event of a sudden cardiac emergency, giving them greater peace of mind and independence.

Value Proposition:

Heart-Alert offers a unique value proposition by providing an automated, always-on cardiac emergency detection and response system. Key elements of the value proposition include:

1. Increased Survival Rates: By eliminating delays in emergency response, Heart-Alert can dramatically improve OHCA survival rates from the current 10% to over 30%.

2. Reduced Long-Term Complications: Faster access to life-saving interventions can mitigate the risk of cognitive impairment and other debilitating long-term effects in OHCA survivors.

3. Equitable Access to Care: The automated nature of Heart-Alert ensures that cardiac emergencies are detected and responded to regardless of witness presence or bystander intervention, helping to address health disparities.

4. Cost Savings for the Healthcare System: Reducing OHCA-related hospitalizations, rehabilitation, and long-term care costs can save the NHS over £600 million annually. Moreover the total annual economic productivity loss due to OHCA in the U.S. increased from $7.4B in 2013 to $11.3B in 2018.

Revenue Streams and Pricing:

Heart-Alert will generate revenue through several channels:

1. Device Licencing: The Heart-Alert device will be licenced directly to healthcare providers, care facilities, and patient groups at an affordable price point comparable to other high-end wearable health monitors.

2. Subscription Services: In addition to the device, Heart-Alert will offer a subscription-based software and cloud platform that provides advanced analytics, emergency response coordination, and ongoing device management.

3. Partnerships and Integrations: Heart-Alert will seek to integrate with existing emergency response systems, digital health platforms, and NHS infrastructure, generating licensing and integration fees.

4. Research and Innovation Grants: The team will continue to pursue funding from sources like the NIHR i4i Connect/Innovate UK Smart grant program to further develop the Heart-Alert technology and expand its capabilities.

Delivery Channels:

Heart-Alert will be delivered through a combination of direct sales, online e-commerce, and partnerships with healthcare providers, technology vendors, and patient advocacy groups. This multi-pronged approach will ensure widespread accessibility and adoption, particularly in underserved communities.

Financial Sustainability Plan

Our strategy for achieving long-term financial sustainability for the Heart-Alert solution involves a multi-pronged approach, leveraging a combination of revenue streams and funding sources.

Device Sales and Subscription Revenue

The core of our revenue model will come from the direct licencing of the Heart-Alert device and a subscription model to access maximum benefits from its associated software and cloud-based services. We plan to price the upfront licencing cost as affordable as £50, in comparison to other high-end wearable health monitors, which generally have a retail price of £200-300 per unit.

In addition to the device, we will offer a subscription-based software platform that provides advanced analytics, emergency response coordination, and ongoing device management. This recurring revenue stream will help sustain the business and fund continuous improvement of the Heart-Alert solution. We estimate that the subscription fees could range from £10-30 per month per user, depending on the level of service.

Our target customers for the Heart-Alert device and subscription services include:

- NHS Ambulance Services and other emergency response providers
- Individual paying customers 
- Care homes and assisted living facilities
- General practice (GP) clinics and other healthcare providers
- Patient organizations and advocacy groups focused on cardiovascular health

We have already secured Letters of Intent from several NHS Ambulance Trusts and major care home providers expressing interest in piloting and potentially adopting the Heart-Alert system. This early market traction provides us with confidence in our ability to generate significant revenue from device sales and subscriptions.

Partnerships and Integration Fees
In addition to direct sales, we will seek to establish strategic partnerships with relevant technology vendors, digital health platforms, and NHS infrastructure providers. This will enable us to integrate the Heart-Alert system into existing emergency response systems and care coordination workflows, generating licensing and integration fees.

We are in advanced discussions with several potential partners, including digital health solution providers and NHS technology integrators. For example, we are exploring a partnership with a leading NHS digital transformation consultancy that could lead to the Heart-Alert system being adopted across multiple NHS Trusts.

Grants and Innovation Funding
To supplement our revenue streams, we will continue to pursue grant funding and innovation awards from sources such as the NIHR i4i Connect program, Innovate UK, and other public and private sector initiatives. 

This funding will not only support ongoing research and development of the Heart-Alert technology but also help us expand our clinical validation, regulatory approvals, and market access activities. It will also enable us to offer the solution at subsidized or no cost to underserved communities, ensuring equitable access.

We have a strong track record of securing such grants, having previously received funding from Innovate UK for the initial proof-of-concept development of the Heart-Alert device.

Together, these revenue streams and funding sources will allow us to sustainably scale the Heart-Alert solution, continuously improve its capabilities, and ensure widespread adoption - ultimately saving thousands of lives and reducing the burden on healthcare systems worldwide.