The Elana R&D department has a focus to further develop a sutureless anastomosis technique that, as principle, can be clinically used for any indication where bypasses need to be constructed. The current design can be used for the so called “end to side”, “side to side” and “end to end” anastomoses. The huge advantage of such sutureless technique is that total operation time can be reduced and, because of avoiding suturing, a more aggressive strategy towards minimal invasive treatment options can be followed.

Current research (2011- 2012) is ongoing to proof the sutureless Elana technique in an “in-vivo” model to show its safety and efficacy in a high flow model, which will be followed by a human clinical study.

Current research (2011-2012) is ongoing to proof the sutureless Elana technique in an “in-vivo” model to show its safety and efficacy in a low flow environment on the beating heart. The anticipated product range for the cardiac bypass surgery indication will make it possible to created bypasses on vessels as small as 1,5mm in outer diameter. Next step is to fine tune the technique to have it used in a minimal invasive setting.  Hereafter a human clinical study is anticipated.

As soon as the effectiveness of the new sutureless device has been showed in the neurosurgery and cardiac surgery field this technique could possibly expand to other indication areas, like peripheral bypass indications as well as renal and even perhaps liver transplant operations.