Impact
SP-Codex makes a real impact by speeding up one of the most critical steps in the surgical process while putting the people doing that work first.
This is a tech-first device built by technicians, for technicians. Instead of replacing human judgment or blaming techs when something goes wrong, SP-Codex is designed to support them. It helps reduce guesswork, lower stress, and bring consistency to a job that directly affects surgical safety.
While AI-based visual identification is a key part of the platform, it’s only one layer. SP-Codex uses multiple identification features working together — shape and size recognition, calibrated measurement, visual reference images, text and engraving recognition when available, side-by-side comparisons for look-alike instruments, and clear confidence explanations so techs understand *why* a result was returned.
Beyond identification, SP-Codex functions as a daily support tool. It includes facility-specific naming and synonyms so instruments appear the way techs actually know them, voice-based lookup for hands-busy workflows, favorites and commonly used instruments for speed, and an “unknown” queue that turns difficult instruments into training opportunities instead of slowdowns. Usage insights can also help educators see where confusion or training gaps exist and address them proactively.
The result is faster tray assembly, fewer delays to the operating room, and more confidence on the assembly side — all achieved by empowering technicians instead of working around them. SP-Codex doesn’t just make the process faster; it makes it fairer, more consistent, and more supportive for the people hospitals rely on every single day.
What I'll do with $5,000
The $5,000 would be used very deliberately to push SP-Codex through a key transition point — from a strong working prototype to a hospital-ready system.
A significant portion would go toward fabrication and materials. We’re already in the middle of moving from early prototype components into durable, hospital-appropriate materials, including a refined metal frame and a more polished, serviceable modular vision head. This funding helps us finish that step so the device looks, feels, and performs like something that belongs in a real Sterile Processing department.
Another portion would support the cloud server infrastructure that ties the platform together. That includes hosting, secure data handling, and the backend services needed for future features like shared instrument libraries, facility-specific configurations, and ongoing software improvements.
Funds would also continue to support development of the patent-pending Imago Vision software — expanding the instrument dataset, improving identification reliability, and refining technician-first features based on real feedback.
We’ve already been doing ongoing research and validation with SPD supervisors, frontline technicians, and hospitals, and we currently have hospitals that are enthusiastically ready for live demos. Part of the funding would support preparing and deploying demo units, gathering structured feedback, and iterating quickly based on how the system performs in real workflows.
In short, the $5,000 accelerates work that’s already in motion: completing hospital-ready fabrication, strengthening the software and cloud backbone, and getting SP-Codex into real departments where it can start proving its value to the people it was built for.
Quick Bio
My name is Nathan Gaston, I am a 26 year-old Grand Rapids native. I spent a significant portion of my life in pursuit of becoming a physician. I have a wonderful fiance im excited to marry!