Events

Recall of NeoMode software used on Puritan Bennett 980 Series (PB980) Universal Ventilator System

According to Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration, this recall involved a device in Australia that was produced by Covidien 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-00676-1
  • Event Risk Class
    Class I
  • Event Initiated Date
    2015-07-21
  • Event Country
    Australia
  • Event Source
    DHTGA
  • Event Source URL
    https://apps.tga.gov.au/Prod/sara/arn-detail.aspx?k=RC-2015-RN-00676-1
  • 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
    There have been reports in which tidal volumes reaching patients were lower than set tidal volumes in neonatal volume control plus (vc+) mode with active humidification. this situation may potentially lead to respiratory compromise if not recognised. there have been no serious injuries or deaths related to these reports. covidien’s investigation has identified a software anomaly that contributes to this volume delivery issue in neonatal vc+ mode. this issue has not been observed during neonatal pressure control ventilation, or with paediatric or adult modes of ventilation.
  • Action
    Covidien will develop and implement a software update for the universal models of ventilators with NeoMode capability. Until that time, Covidien will disable the clinician’s ability to use NeoMode in the PB980 ventilator. A service engineer will be in contact with hospitals to coordinate this process.

Device

NeoMode software used on Puritan Bennett 980 Series (PB980) Universal Ventilator System

Manufacturer

Covidien Pty Ltd
  • Manufacturer Parent Company (2017)
    Medtronic plc
  • Manufacturer comment
    “If our surveillance systems identify a potential performance issue, our personnel promptly evaluate the problem, including, when appropriate, conducting root cause investigations and internal testing to assess whether the product continues to meet specifications and defined performance criteria,” Medtronic told ICIJ in a statement. “In some cases, based on this evaluation, Medtronic may determine that a recall is necessary.” The company said that it communicates with healthcare providers and/or patients and provide recommendations to address such issues. Medtronic noted that these communications can include letters, emails, calls, press releases, physician notifications and social media postings, as well as informing the FDA and other regulators of the actions.
  • Source
    DHTGA