Akash Manoj

Akash Manoj is an Indian cardiology researcher and inventor recognized for his contributions to preventive cardiovascular healthcare. Manoj is known for his research on silent heart attacks and for developing a noninvasive technique that detects and alerts at-risk patients of potential asymptomatic heart attacks. Silent heart attacks account for half of all heart attacks globally, contributing to more than 8 million deaths annually, a significant public health concern that Manoj addresses through his work.

Manoj's interest in cardiology research began after the loss of his grandfather to a silent heart attack at age 13. He observed that silent heart attacks often affect individuals with underlying conditions such as diabetes, where nerve damage can mask typical warning signs. Motivated by this experience, Manoj conducted three years of research and experiments at various laboratories across India, including SRISTI-BIRAC, supported by the Government of India. He developed his understanding of medical science by reading journal articles and medical literature and by visiting the library at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru.

Manoj's research led to the creation of Cardioptre, a device designed to detect silent heart attacks up to six hours before they occur. The device consists of a watch-like gadget worn on the wrist and a small patch placed near the chest, utilizing a bio-electric system to detect warning signals from the heart without requiring a blood test. The method involves transcutaneously isolating, identifying, spectroscopically analyzing, and sensing elevation in the levels of the cardiac biomarker heart-type fatty acid binding protein (h-FABP) in real time. Cardioptre operates continuously, collecting and analyzing data at preset intervals. Manoj has filed for a provisional patent for the invention and collaborates with stakeholders in the wearables industry to integrate the technology into wearable devices.

Manoj has received recognition for his work, including the National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement (Gold Medallion), now known as the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, presented by the President of India. His innovation has also been recognized at Intel ISEF, one of the world's largest pre-college science fairs, and he was awarded the Rashtrapati Navapravarthan Puraskar by former President Pranab Mukherjee. Manoj has presented his research on global platforms, including TED and TEDx events, highlighting the impact of noninvasive, wearable technology in cardiac health.

Manoj enrolled in the First Faculty of Medicine at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, pursuing an MD degree in general medicine while continuing research and development of Cardioptre. The device has been tested on patients with various health conditions, with positive results reported. Manoj's work demonstrates the intersection of medical research, wearable technology, and public health innovation in addressing cardiovascular disease.