Pulse: 100% Egyptian ECG Device invades Local and International Medical markets

Doctors and patients usually face a problem of communication, a patient wouldn’t be able to describe their symptoms exactly which could result in a waste of time and effort on both sides. Pulse, a wearable electrocardiogram device records the electrical activity of the patients’ hearts and delivers the data to the doctor almost instantly.

“The data is delivered in a second or a second and a half, diagnosed and analysed, also the device comes with a card that can store a report of the patient’s case for an entire month,” Kareem Fathy, Engineer and CEO at Pulse for integrated solutions explained to EgyptInnovate during Tech Invest conference on Sunday April 29th, where it won second place in a startup competition and a prize of 60,000 EGP.

Fathy continued to explain that patients in Egypt might go a chest doctor when they need a heart consultant and vice versa, “instead, I organize this process through a central station that directs the patient to the right place from the first time.”

Impact

“The patients are very happy that there is a real time interaction between them and the doctor...instead of waiting for the problem to happen and the patient could go through unnecessary complications, you have all of the data live,” Fathy said as he compared pulse to an older offline device named Holter, which the patient attached to their body for 48 hours to record their cardiography and then give it to the doctor.

Fathy added that Pulse is met with shock from Egyptians. “People always don’t believe that Egypt made something so complex and small...this shock, unfortunately, is negative for some administrators that they‘re afraid to take a step forward.” Fathy however, clarified that Pulse’s team was encouraged by minister Yasser El-Kady of communications and information technology.

Challenges

Pulse started in technological incubators by the ministry of communications back in 2007, they were among the first calls on the level of Egypt. Then in 2010 they had a partnership with Nasser Shehata, owner of a company that makes different kinds software, he was very interested in their product, and started funding it.

“We faced challenges, a revolution, problems, and a collapse in the country. Gratefully we had the perseverance to go on among all of this. And thank god we started our production,” Fathy explained as he said they started production in 2015.

Funding and Achievements

The device received the European quality mark CE mark this year, which allowed Pulse’s team to export to South East of Asia and they’re currently trying to open markets in Europe. In Egypt, the device is used in Magdi Yacoub’s heart foundation in Aswan, in Al-Araby hospital and at El Kharga General Hospital. Fathy said that their achievements are saving lives.

Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

Fathy advised entrepreneurs to start with a regular product to make profit and then go on to innovate. “Start manufacturing and sell...make an app with version one and two...don’t sell something that’s incomplete of course that would ruin your reputation, but put yourself out there.”

“Learn. We learned a lot from the market, each doctor we went to added something to us. I’m not a scientist, I’m an engineer. We have in the company doctors not scientists there’s a limit to science. When I’m with Doctor Magdi Yacoub, he adds to me. Each doctor I learn from them business requirements and important information that I add to my system. So with time, you’ll grow against your own well. But be part of the market don’t wait for too long,” Fathy concluded.