Events

Recall of GE Healthcare MRI systems with superconducting magnets

According to Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration, this recall involved a device in Australia that was produced by GE Healthcare Australia Pty Ltd.

What is this?

A correction or removal action taken by a manufacturer to address a problem with a medical device. Recalls occur when a medical device is defective, when it could be a risk to health, or when it is both defective and a risk to health.

Learn more about the data here
  • Type of Event
    Recall
  • Event ID
    RC-2015-RN-00103-1
  • Event Risk Class
    Class I
  • Event Initiated Date
    2015-02-06
  • Event Country
    Australia
  • Event Source
    DHTGA
  • Event Source URL
    https://apps.tga.gov.au/Prod/sara/arn-detail.aspx?k=RC-2015-RN-00103-1
  • Notes / Alerts
    Australian data is current through July 2018. All of the data comes from the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration, except for the categories Manufacturer Parent Company and Product Classification.
    The Parent Company and the Product Classification were added by ICIJ.
    The parent company information is based on 2017 public records. The device classification information comes from FDA’s Product Classification by Review Panel, based on matches of recall data from the U.S. and Australia.
  • Extra notes in the data
  • Reason
    The mru (magnet rundown unit) is a critical safety component of the mr system that quenches the magnet (i.E., makes it non-magnetic) in emergency situations, such as those that can occur when a ferrous (metal) object is brought into the magnetic field.At certain sites, the mru may not be connected to the magnet. if the mru is disconnected, the mru will not function as expected and will not quench the magnet when the button is pressed. in emergency situations, a disconnected mru could delay removal of a ferrous object from the magnet, potentially resulting in life-threatening injuries. the mru must be connected to the magnet at all times. further, there is potential for a patient to sustain injury while trapped against the mr scanner.
  • Action
    GE Healthcare has provided instructions to assist end users to determine if the MRU is properly connected. If the MRU is not connected it is recommended that the MRI is not used and GE Healthcare is contacted immediately. GE Healthcare will inspect all affected systems and ensure the MRU is properly connected to the magnet. This will be performed by GE Healthcare service representative who will contact affected customers to arrange for this inspection and correction if needed. This action has been closed-out on 1/06/2016.

Device

GE Healthcare MRI systems with superconducting magnets

Manufacturer

GE Healthcare Australia Pty Ltd