The patents, including 2008-518369 and 11/993280, are for the US and Japan and cover an introducer and retractor system for use in spinal surgeries.

The FDA-cleared VCAS provides improved access and visualization into the surgical workspace, and allows the surgeon to selectively expand or contract the size of the work space formed by the retractor after the retractor is in place.

VCAS provides access to the anterior cervical surgical site and is expected to deliver clinical and cost benefits to a sizeable global market, claims the company.

Vycor president David Cantor said the company continues to view development of patented and proprietary new products as being key to its product suite becoming the Standard of Care for neurosurgical retraction and patent protection.

"We are working hard on building a new product pipeline which will complement our existing VBAS product line," Cantor added .
The company said there are a number of additional patents for VCAS still being pursued in various geographies.