Scalpel AI raises $4.8M for surgical logistics platform

London-based Scalpel AI raised $4.8 million in a funding round led by Mercia Ventures, with participation from Tensor Ventures and private investors.

The platform generates digital twins for tools, ensuring the right equipment is in surgical trays to reduce the potential of medical errors.

According to Dr. Yeshwanth Pulijala, founder of Scalpel AI, the startup's value lies in its contribution to "smooth operations behind the scenes," and to ensure successful surgeries and patient safety.

The startup has the potential to revolutionize surgical tray management, moving beyond traditional methods like barcodes and RFID tags.

Their technological process begins with a user selecting the appropriate case and trays for their procedure, organized by Scalpel’s intuitive platform for effortless setup. Their scanning system leverages AI and object detection algorithms to identify each instrument as the tray is positioned under a camera, instantly matching items with customized preference lists. Finally, it uses continuous image-based validation to maintain a real-time audit trail of all instruments.

The funding will be used to scale its global operations and implement its technology in the healthcare supply chain to improve surgical tool and implant management.

Scalpel AI was founded in 2017.