Events

Recall of SynchroMed II and SynchroMed EL Implanted Infusion Pump

According to Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration, this recall involved a device in Australia that was produced by Medtronic Australasia 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-2013-RN-00636-1
  • Event Risk Class
    Class I
  • Event Initiated Date
    2013-07-04
  • Event Country
    Australia
  • Event Source
    DHTGA
  • Event Source URL
    https://apps.tga.gov.au/Prod/sara/arn-detail.aspx?k=RC-2013-RN-00636-1
  • 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
    Within the synchromed pump, feedthroughs are components that provide an electrically insulated path for current to flow from the electronic circuitry to the motor. an electrical short can occur when ions from the drug solution and humidity permeate through the drug pathway tubing inside the pump and interact with the feedthrough over time. an electrical short circuit in a feedthrough may present as a motor stall or low battery reset/alarm and leads to a loss of or reduction in therapy which may result in the return of underlying symptoms and/or withdrawal symptoms.
  • Action
    Through the 'Hazard Alert' letter, Medtronic is advising clinicians regarding ongoing patient management recommendations. Medtronic does not recommend prophylactic replacement of SynchroMed II or SynchroMed EL pumps due to the estimated low occurrence rate, the presence of pump alarms, and the risks associated with replacement surgery. However, appropriate consideration should be given to individual patient needs. If repeated short duration motor stalls, Low Battery Resets (with or without Safe State), or a premature Elective Replacement Indicator occur, replacement surgery should be scheduled for therapy continuation. Alternative medical management should be considered if appropriate. For more details, please see http://www.tga.gov.au/safety/alerts-device-synchromed-130718.htm .

Device

SynchroMed II and SynchroMed EL Implanted Infusion Pump

Manufacturer

Medtronic Australasia 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