Overview
Imagine an operating room where artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, enabled by advanced connectivity and fueled by device, patient and surgical data seamlessly work together. This vision is becoming a reality as innovators seek to unleash the full potential of these advanced technologies to drive real-time insights and continuous learning.
Around the world, more than 330 million surgical procedures are performed each year.1 To help meet this great patient need, over 90% of hospitals and healthcare systems in the United States now have an AI or automation strategy, a significant increase from 53% in 2019.2 These digital technologies are emerging as game changers in surgical environments where every second matters, playing a pivotal role in transforming outcomes for patients. Through connected systems and fueled by real-time collection, integration and analysis of surgical data, surgeons aim to leverage these tools to drive efficiencies, inform decision-making, and extend surgical training and education across the surgical continuum.3
To help accelerate the use of AI in surgery, Johnson & Johnson MedTech has launched the Polyphonic™ AI Fund for Surgery QuickFire Challenge. Researchers and innovators in the Surgical Data Science field worldwide are invited to submit ideas for AI technologies that have the potential to improve surgical decision-making, strengthen data management & governance processes, and drive surgical efficiency across the connected operating room (OR).
Selected applicant(s) will have the opportunity to receive grant funding up to $100,000 and mentorship from experts across Johnson & Johnson.* Awardees may also be eligible to receive computing tools and technologies to help advance their innovations, including access to: GPUs and related software for accelerated computing, cloud platform and application services, Machine Learning (ML) and AI modeling toolkits and other Software Development Kits (SDKs).
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and awardees will be announced quarterly through the end of 2026.
* Subject to terms and conditions of applicable QuickFire Challenge and execution of an award agreement
1Varghese, C., Harrison, E.M., O’Grady, G. et al. Artificial intelligence in surgery. Nat Med 30, 1257–1268 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-02970-3.
2 Pifer R. Vast majority of hospitals say they have an AI strategy, up from just half last year. HealthcareDive (March 10, 2021). https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/vast-majority-of-hospitals-say-they-have-an-ai-strategy-up-from-just-half/596412/.
3 Marwaha, J.S., Raza, M.M. & Kvedar, J.C. The digital transformation of surgery. npj Digit. Med. 6, 103 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-023-00846-3.
Why this challenge matters to us
At Johnson & Johnson, we seek to identify and source promising AI-driven innovation that has the potential to transform surgical care. This challenge builds on J&J MedTech’s commitment to progress what’s next in surgery to help improve patient outcomes.
What we’re looking for
Innovators around the world are invited to submit ideas for AI technologies with the potential to enhance surgical care and improve patient outcomes across the following categories:
- Surgical decision support: Perioperative AI that augments delivery of care throughout the procedure, reduces cognitive load and has the potential to serve as a surgeon co-pilot.
- Data management & governance processes: Efforts pursuing breakthroughs in data infrastructure, privacy & consent management, labeling frameworks, and regulatory research.
- Surgical efficiency: AI that boosts coordination across care teams, amplifies care team proficiency and improves patient management all towards enabling seamless delivery of perioperative care.
Specific surgical areas of interest include: Soft tissue surgery including but not limited to colorectal, bariatric, thoracic, urology, gynecology and general surgery.
Criteria
Potential solutions will be evaluated by a panel of reviewers based on the following criteria:
- Clinical relevance and impact
- Patient safety and ethical considerations
- Feasibility and implementation
- Innovation and scalability
- Team expertise and collaboration
- Additional considerations related to regulatory compliance, cost effectiveness and patient-centered design
Awards
Selected applicant(s) will have the opportunity to receive grant funding up to $100,000 and mentorship from experts across Johnson & Johnson.* Awardees may also be eligible to receive computing tools and technologies to help advance their innovations, including access to: GPUs and related software for accelerated computing, cloud platform and application services, Machine Learning (ML) and AI modeling toolkits and other Software Development Kits (SDKs).
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and awardees will be announced quarterly through the end of 2026.
* Subject to terms and conditions of applicable QuickFire Challenge and execution of an award agreement
About Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson works across the innovative medicine and medical technology sectors to accelerate early-stage, transformational solutions by catalyzing the best ideas, wherever they are in the world. We do this by harnessing our deep scientific capabilities coupled with a wide range of tools, including customized deal structures, company creation, incubation and startup services, capital investments and other innovative business models that aim to meet the diverse needs of entrepreneurs, scientists, and emerging companies. Our goal is to help life science and health technology innovations thrive through collaboration and partnership with the global ecosystem, so that together we can change the trajectory of human health. Meet our passionate team of science and technology experts and learn how to collaborate with us at www.jnjinnovation.com.
