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CriticalClass ITerminated

FDA Devices recall · Reported January 23, 2013

Vycor Medical ViewSite Brain Access System 17mm/ 11mm / 5cm Device***STERILE*** Product Usage: The Vycor Viewsite Brain Access System (VBAS) has been designed to serve as a self-retaining retractor system for brain tissue. It is comprised of an introducer and a working channel port that are secured by a spring-loaded latch. Each device allows for the gentle retraction of tissue, visualization of the surgical site and for the smooth manipulation of introduced instruments. The range of device

Vycor Medical recalled their VBAS (Vycor Viewsite Brain Access System) because an unidentified black fiber was found on the device.

Recall #
Z-0673-2013
Affected scope
3000 devices
Initiated
August 21, 2012
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Vycor Medical, Inc. recalled Vycor Medical ViewSite Brain Access System 17mm/ 11mm / 5cm Device***STERILE*** Produc… — a critical-severity action.

Vycor Medical ViewSite Brain Access System 17mm/ 11mm / 5cm Device***STERILE*** Produc… was recalled by Vycor Medical, Inc. in January 23, 2013. Reason: Vycor Medical recalled their VBAS (Vycor Viewsite Brain Access System) because an unidentified black fiber wa…. Check the official notice for the remedy. Verify recall #Z-0673-2013 with the FDA Devices before acting.

The recall

Vycor Medical, Inc. issued this critical-severity FDA Devices recall — Vycor Medical recalled their VBAS (Vycor Viewsite Brain Access System) because an unidentified black fiber wa….

Critical
severity level
3K units
affected scope
Class I
classification
January 23, 2013
reported

Sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Verify recall #Z-0673-2013 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This FDA Devices action (record #Z-0673-2013) was formally reported on January 23, 2013, with the manufacturer initiating the action on August 21, 2012. It is classified under Critical severity (Class I), with a current status of Terminated. Vycor Medical, Inc. is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of Boca Raton, FL. Federal records list the affected scope as 3000 devices.

The documented reason for this recall is: Vycor Medical recalled their VBAS (Vycor Viewsite Brain Access System) because an unidentified black fiber was found on the device. Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: Worldwide Distribution - USA (Nationwide) in the states of TX, IL, NJ, FL, OH, PA and (International) in the country of Japan.. Distribution scope directly affects the consumer exposure window and determines whether a recall remains regional or escalates into a nationwide advisory.

Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 6 from FDA Devices — clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.

Medical Devices recalls over time

Where this recall sits in its category — 40,409 medical devices recalls on record

-1,00001,0002,0003,0004,0005,000 20052008201120142017202020232026 1,243

Where this recall sits in the database

Severity2366872097High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this recall sits in the database

Of 100,165 recalls in the database, 23,668 are high severity, 72,097 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified high severity.

Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger — we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.

Severity

Critical

Affected scope

3000 devices

Related Recalls

6

6 from same agency

Product description

Vycor Medical ViewSite Brain Access System 17mm/ 11mm / 5cm Device***STERILE*** Product Usage: The Vycor Viewsite Brain Access System (VBAS) has been designed to serve as a self-retaining retractor system for brain tissue. It is comprised of an introducer and a working channel port that are secured by a spring-loaded latch. Each device allows for the gentle retraction of tissue, visualization of the surgical site and for the smooth manipulation of introduced instruments. The range of device sizes (width and length) provides various working channel sizes.

Reason for recall

Vycor Medical recalled their VBAS (Vycor Viewsite Brain Access System) because an unidentified black fiber was found on the device.

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the FDA Devices recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Severity class Critical (Class I)
Status Terminated
Recall number Z-0673-2013
Date reported January 23, 2013
Date initiated August 21, 2012
Recalling firm Vycor Medical, Inc.
Firm location Boca Raton, FL
Affected scope 3000 devices
Distribution Worldwide Distribution - USA (Nationwide) in the states of TX, IL, NJ, FL, OH, PA and (International) in the country of Japan.

Profile values are sourced directly from the official FDA Devices enforcement record. Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Scale of Impact

3000 devices units affected — limited or regional distribution scale.

Regional (<10K units) ✓ This recall
Multi-state (10K – 100K units)
Large-scale (100K – 1M units)
Massive (≥1M units)

Bracket cutoffs follow federal recall-disclosure conventions; bar widths scale linearly within each bracket. Source: PlainRecalls analysis of U.S. Food and Drug Administration filings.

What to do with this recall

Match your product against the recall record, then act on the agency remedy.

  • Check the recall number (Z-0673-2013) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
  • Confirm the current status with FDA Devices before acting — recall details can be updated.
  • This is a Class I (high-risk) recall — stop using the product immediately and follow the disposal or return instructions. What to do next

This page summarizes the official FDA Devices record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
Vycor Medical ViewSite Brain Access System 17mm/ 11mm / 5cm Device***STERILE*** Product Usage: The Vycor Viewsite Brain Access System (VBAS) has been designed to serve as a self-retaining retractor system for brain tissue. It is comprised of an introducer and a working channel port that are secured by a spring-loaded latch. Each device allows for the gentle retraction of tissue, visualization of the surgical site and for the smooth manipulation of introduced instruments. The range of device sizes (width and length) provides various working channel sizes.. Recalled by Vycor Medical, Inc.. Units affected: 3000 devices.
Why was this product recalled?
Vycor Medical recalled their VBAS (Vycor Viewsite Brain Access System) because an unidentified black fiber was found on the device.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the FDA Devices on January 23, 2013. Severity: Critical. Recall number: Z-0673-2013.
Where was the recalled product distributed?
Distribution: Worldwide Distribution - USA (Nationwide) in the states of TX, IL, NJ, FL, OH, PA and (International) in the country of Japan..
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (Z-0673-2013) against your product. Visit the official FDA Devices website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
Should I stop using a recalled medication or medical device?
Do not stop using a recalled medication or device without consulting your healthcare provider first, as abruptly discontinuing treatment could pose its own health risks. Your doctor can advise on alternatives or whether the recall applies to your specific product lot. Check the recall number and lot information against your product packaging.

Nearby Recalls in This Category

Other recalls in the same product category — useful for spotting patterns across the same defect class or manufacturer.

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Data Sources

Source: FDA, CPSC, and NHTSA federal recall databases. This recall: FDA Devices, reported January 23, 2013.

  • Source: FDA — Food and Drug Administration, openFDA Enforcement API (food, drug, and medical device recalls)
  • Source: CPSC — Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls API (consumer product recalls and hazards)
  • Source: NHTSA — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recalls API (vehicle safety recalls)

Recall information is sourced from official federal agency databases. Always verify recall details with the issuing agency for the most current status. This information is for research and awareness purposes only.

Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records — no number is typed in by an editor. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of June 2026.