Vycor Medical, Inc. Announces Results of Retrospective Study Published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery

BOCA RATON, Fla., May 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Vycor Medical, Inc. announces the latest published peer-reviewed article "Minimally Invasive Trans-Portal Resection of Deep Intracranial Lesions"  by the Journal of Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery.  The journal is devoted solely to minimally invasive neurosurgery, with articles by leading worldwide experts and including operative procedures, clinical advances, and new technological developments.

The authors of the article include Dr. Shaan Raza, Dr. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, Dr. George Jallo, Dr. Pablo Recinos, and Dr. Hadie Adams – affiliations include, The John Hopkins Neuro-Oncology Surgical Outcomes Research Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, and The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. This retrospective study of 9 cases (containing both adult and pediatric patients) utilizes Vycor's ViewSite Brain Access System (VBAS).  The conventional surgical procedure of deep intra-axial lesions requires microsurgical approaches which employ retraction of deep white matter in order to obtain adequate visualization. The objective of the study was to assess if the VBAS, when used with frameless conventional neuronavigational systems, provides sufficient tumor visualization, permits the use of standard microsurgical technique, and minimizes white tissue matter injury.

The study highlights several important advantages of the VBAS versus traditional systems currently available, such as "its low profile," "tubular shape," and "transparent walls." The authors report, "When used in combination with conventional frameless navigational systems, we have found that the system provides adequate visualization while minimizing tissue morbidity for select lesions." The study also affirms that there is a growing role of minimally invasive approaches and a need for tubular retractor systems, such as the VBAS, to not only provide adequate visualization of deep lesions but which can also be used in conjunction with modern neuronavigational systems – however, further studies are necessary.

"As minimal tissue disruption was necessary, intra-operatively we found that the white matter passage closed quickly after the retractor system was removed – a phenomenon which is not typically noted with the traditional retractor systems after longer cases," as stated by the authors. "VBAS is the first commercially available tubular retractor system specifically designed for intracranial applications."  

"Combining neuronavigation with a deep brain access and retraction system is a significant development from traditional neurosurgery techniques," says Kenneth Coviello, CEO of Vycor Medical. "We believe that this article supports our primary design goals of providing a brain access system that grants minimally invasive approaches to deep brain lesions and targets."

Vycor's ViewSite Brain Access System has FDA clearance and is available in 12 sizes.  The elliptical optically clear port with a specially designed introducer is intended to separate brain tissue allowing the neurosurgeon to access deep targets within the brain. Once they have reached the desired target the introducer is removed and the surgeon can use standard instruments through the ViewSite working channel.

A copy of the article can be found on the Company website, http://vycormedical.com/company/reports.html

About Vycor Medical, Inc.

With corporate headquarters in Boca Raton, FL, Vycor Medical, Inc. (VYCO.BB) is a medical device company committed to making neurological brain, spinal and other surgical procedures safer and more effective.  The company's flagship, Patent Pending ViewSite™ Surgical Access Systems represent an exciting new minimally invasive access and retraction system that holds the potential for speedier, safer and more economical brain, spinal and other surgeries and a quicker patient discharge.  Vycor's innovative medical instruments are designed to optimize neurosurgical site access, reduce patient risk, accelerate recovery, and add tangible value to the professional medical community. Vycor is ISO 13485:2003 compliant, has FDA 510(K) clearance for brain and spine surgeries, and CE marketing and HPB licensing in Canada. In December of 2010 the company purchased the assets of NovaVision Inc. www.novavision.com

Safe Harbor Statement

Information in this document constitute forward-looking statements or statements which may be deemed or construed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "forecast," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "intend," "expect," "should," "believe," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve, and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause Vycor Medical's actual results, performance (financial or operating) or achievements to differ from the future results, performance (financial or operating) or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The risks, uncertainties and other factors are more fully discussed in Vycor Medical's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements attributable to Vycor Medical herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by the abovementioned cautionary statement. Vycor Medical disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this estimate, except as may be required by law.

Media Contact:
Karen Coviello
323-387-9555
[email protected]

SOURCE Vycor Medical, Inc.