Scalpel AI, a London-based medtech startup, has announced a $4.8M (£3.8M) funding round led by Mercia Ventures, joined by Tensor Ventures and private investors. The funds will support Scalpel AI’s global expansion and the rollout of its pioneering technology with key players in the healthcare supply chain, including sterile services, hospitals, and logistics providers like GlobalMed Logistix (GMLx).
AI platform addresses surgical tool management challenges
Founded in 2017 by Dr Yeshwanth Pulijala and Dr Shahnawaz Ahmed, Scalpel AI tackles a common yet costly issue in healthcare: the mismanagement of surgical tools and implants. “The success of any surgery depends not only on what happens inside the operating theatre but also on having a smooth-running operation behind the scenes,” says Dr Pulijala, Scalpel AI’s co-founder and CEO. “At Scalpel AI, we work with leading medical device companies and healthcare organisations to transform their logistical supply chain and reduce costs by millions of dollars. Together, we are making surgery safer for patients while paving the way for personalised surgery, which we believe is the future of healthcare.”
The platform uses computer vision and machine learning to track surgical instruments from vendor warehouses to operating theatres, creating a digital twin for each tool. By ensuring surgical trays contain the correct instruments, Scalpel AI aims to set a global standard for surgical logistics and improve patient outcomes.
Reducing errors with real-time visibility across the supply chain
Mismanagement of medical equipment costs billions annually, leads to surgical delays, and negatively impacts patient outcomes. Issues range from incorrect instrument packing, lost equipment during transit, and using wrong implants, to leaving tools inside patients. Adding to the problem are staff shortages and long surgical waiting lists.
The lack of effective surgical instrument management is a billion-dollar issue, leading to costly delays, surgical errors, and compromised patient safety. Common problems include packing the wrong tools, losing equipment during transit, and even leaving surgical tools inside patients. Scalpel AI’s platform addresses these challenges by providing complete visibility across the supply chain, ensuring the correct tools reach the operating theatre at the right time.
Dr Ahmed, Scalpel AI’s co-founder and CTO, underscores the significance of the AI surgical logistics platform’s technological capabilities: “Building Scalpel’s platform has been exciting and demanding. We’ve tackled the initial difficulties of introducing advanced technology in a manual environment, closely collaborating with users to create a solution that fits their needs. Using proprietary AI algorithms and advanced computer vision, we demonstrated that Scalpel AI can eliminate supply chain errors and reduce handling time by over 80%. This allows medical device reps to focus on patient care. I’m proud of our team’s dedication and hard work in making Scalpel’s vision a reality.”
Investment propels Scalpel AI towards global standardisation
Mercia Ventures’ Lee Lindley sees Scalpel AI’s potential for industry transformation. “Ensuring that surgical trays contain the right equipment is essential for an effective healthcare system. Existing solutions use simple mechanisms such as barcodes, RFID tags, and manual validation. Scalpel AI’s platform has the potential to transform how surgical trays are managed. This investment will enable the company to scale internationally and pursue its goal of being recognised as the industry standard. We’re excited to be supporting Yesh and Shah on this journey.”
A vision for the future of surgery
By enhancing the accuracy of surgical logistics, Scalpel AI not only reduces costs but also improves patient safety and sets the stage for personalised surgery. With its AI-driven technology, Scalpel AI is well-positioned to set new standards in healthcare logistics worldwide, creating a safer, more efficient future for surgical care.
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