Chicago-based ExplORer Surgical, developer of a software platform for surgical teams and device makers, has raised $5 million in a follow-on round to its 2017 Series A. Aphelion Capital led the investment, with additional participation from prior backers as well as new, unnamed investors.

WHAT THEY DO

ExplORer Surgical’s provider-facing platform looks to help surgical teams better coordinate tasks or instrumentation. The “digital playbook” provides info on which instruments or supplies to use in the moment, while recording which tools are used for the organization to review. Team members can view guides and other content at any time in the company’s connected app.

In addition, the company’s platform also offers services for medical device makers that support remote collaboration, collection and management of clinical evaluation data, and other features to support sales teams.

"Device companies invest heavily in training physicians and other healthcare professionals on the use of their products. In fact, to ensure safe and effective use of complicated technology, the FDA will frequently mandate training protocols," Affinity Capital Management president Kris Johnson, who will be joining ExplORer Surgical’s board, said in a statement. "The ExplORer technology, which can be used both to guide and to document procedures, is an ideal tool for improving the effectiveness of the training these companies provide.”

WHAT IT’S FOR

ExplORer Surgical CEO and cofounder Jennifer Fried told MedCityNews that the company will be looking to build up its user base and introduce new features to the platform.

MARKET SNAPSHOT

Recently a London-based startup called Digital Surgery demonstrated an artificial intelligence system that acts as a guiding “navigational system” for surgical teams conducting a procedure. Other recent tech offerings targeting the operating room include augmented and virtual reality training tools.

ON THE RECORD

"We've proven value in hospitals through an NSF SBIR study, in addition to an ongoing second research study at Indiana University. Now, in addition to further commercializing within hospitals, we are growing our use cases among medical device customers," ExplORer Surgical CEO and cofounder Jennifer Fried said in a statement. "We are fortunate to be supported by a strong, experienced investor base with confidence in our vision.”