AMT Medical Secures $25 Million to Revolutionize Heart Bypass Surgery
Ede, Friday, 18 April 2025.
Start-up AMT Medical, based in Ede, receives $25 million to advance their sutureless bypass system, promising to cut surgery costs by over 50% while enhancing patient outcomes.
Breakthrough in Cardiac Surgery Technology
AMT Medical, founded in 2015 by Rutger Tulleken, has developed the ELANA® Heart Bypass System, a revolutionary sutureless solution for coronary artery bypass surgery [1]. The system represents a significant advancement in medtech, utilizing a mechanical clip and excimer laser to connect blood vessels through small incisions, eliminating the need for traditional open-chest procedures [1]. This innovative approach allows surgeons to perform the procedure on a beating heart, without requiring a heart-lung machine [2].
Strategic Investment and Market Expansion
The Series B funding round was spearheaded by Bender Analytical Holding B.V. (BAH), with crucial support from Invest-NL and the European Innovation Council (EIC) [1]. The investment will facilitate AMT Medical’s expansion into robotic-assisted surgery and support their first European trial, scheduled for completion by late 2025 [1]. The company aims to secure CE marking by 2026 and initiate U.S. clinical trials, with the ambitious goal of helping one million patients annually [1].
Cost-Effective Innovation in Healthcare
The ELANA Heart Bypass System demonstrates remarkable economic benefits, achieving over 50% cost reduction in robotic settings [2]. This significant cost reduction is attributed to multiple factors: shorter operating room times, reduced hospital stays with patients returning home within days, fewer complications, and faster surgeon proficiency compared to traditional methods [2]. The system’s compatibility with surgical robots from industry leaders further enhances its potential for widespread adoption [2].
Future Impact and Clinical Advantages
According to CEO Rutger Tulleken, the technology aims to make open-heart bypass surgery obsolete by enabling same-day discharge procedures [1]. The system’s innovative approach eliminates stroke risks and other complications associated with conventional methods requiring sternotomy and complex suturing [2]. This advancement represents a paradigm shift in cardiovascular care, promising to transform the landscape of cardiac surgery through improved patient outcomes and enhanced procedural efficiency [1][2].