Future Technology

A Life-Changing Idea Born from Personal Loss

When Rajat Jain lost a 21-year-old classmate to a heart attack six years ago, the tragedy deeply affected him. At the time, Jain was pursuing engineering in Dehradun. The incident opened his eyes to how many young people remain unaware of early heart disease symptoms—a common but deadly oversight in India. This realization inspired him to create Spandan, a revolutionary portable ECG device designed to detect early cardiac risks anytime, anywhere.

Jain went on to found Sunfox Technologies, a Dehradun-based healthtech startup committed to making cardiac diagnostics accessible in remote areas where medical facilities are scarce.

The Challenge: Making ECGs Accessible to Everyone

In India, a standard electrocardiogram (ECG) remains one of the most accurate methods for identifying heart conditions. However, conventional ECG machines are bulky, cost over ₹1 lakh, and require trained professionals to operate. As Jain explains, “These limitations confine ECG machines to hospitals and specialty care centers.”

This accessibility gap is especially concerning given that India accounts for 13.86% of global deaths related to heart disease. To address this, Jain sought to create a compact, low-cost, and easy-to-use ECG device that could match the accuracy of hospital-grade machines.

Development Journey of Spandan

Work on Spandan ECG began in 2016. It took four years of innovation, clinical testing, and regulatory approvals before Jain and his team were ready for launch. From the outset, their goal was to replicate the precision of gold-standard ECG machines in a truly portable design.

At just 12 grams, the Spandan device is smaller than a car key and can easily fit into a matchbox. The device operates without a battery, has no buttons, and connects effortlessly using a plug-and-play mechanism — making it as easy to use as a pair of headphones.

How the Spandan ECG Device Works

Spandan pairs with a smartphone via a mobile app, transforming the phone into a personal heart monitoring system.

• The device attaches to the chest using electrode cables.

• Data is instantly transmitted to the smartphone for analysis.

• The app generates detailed PDF health reports, which can be shared with doctors through email or WhatsApp.

Importantly, Spandan does not require internet connectivity, making it ideal for rural and high-altitude regions with unreliable network coverage.

Advanced Features with AI Integration

Beyond basic heart rhythm monitoring, the Spandan app detects irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), measures Heart Rate Variability (HRV), and tracks real-time parameters such as oxygen level and respiration rate. According to Jain, the use of AI and machine learning algorithms enhances diagnostic accuracy and provides meaningful insights to users and physicians alike.

Unlike wearable alternatives such as the Apple Watch, which records only a single-lead ECG, Spandan delivers a full 12-lead ECG reading, considered the gold standard in cardiology. This allows it to identify blockages or ischemic changes that can trigger sudden cardiac arrest — something most consumer wearables cannot do.

Proven Performance and Clinical Accuracy

The Spandan ECG test takes just 10 seconds to deliver results with 99.7% accuracy, verified through trials on more than 3,000 participants conducted between 2017 and 2021. Jain emphasizes, “The quality of data Spandan generates is equivalent to what you’d get from a premium ICU ECG system.”

Overcoming Challenges in Medical Hardware Development

Building a medtech startup in Dehradun had its share of hurdles. Jain and his team struggled with a limited R&D ecosystem and a shortage of skilled hardware professionals. Unlike software projects, hardware development requires complex regulatory compliance and specialized manufacturing processes. Despite these obstacles, Sunfox Technologies succeeded in designing, testing, and producing the Spandan ECG device entirely in India.

Affordable and Accessible Heart Monitoring

Available online through Amazon, 1MG, and other platforms, the Spandan ECG device is priced under ₹7,000—making advanced cardiac diagnostics affordable to every household. It requires no medical subscription or professional setup. In 2024, Sunfox sold over 50,000 units, and Jain now aims to double that figure, targeting 100,000 units annually. The company is also developing new versions tailored for home and hospital use, expanding its market scope.

Spandan by Sunfox Technologies is more than an innovation—it’s a step toward democratizing heart health in India. By combining AI-driven diagnostics, mobile technology, and affordable design, Rajat Jain’s startup is ensuring that anyone, anywhere, can access life-saving cardiac insights within seconds.