Safety Alert for Trade name: Force Argon II System Valleylab / Laparoscopic Electrode Valleylab Technical Name: High Frequency Surgical Equipment / Electrode ANVISA Registration Number: 10349000185/10349000216

According to Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA), this safety alert involved a device in Brazil that was produced by AUTO SUTURE DO BRASIL LTDA.

What is this?

Alerts provide important information and recommendations about products. Even though an alert has been issued, it does not necessarily mean a product is considered to be unsafe. Safety Alerts, addressed to health workers and users, may include recalls. They can be written by manufacturers, but also by health officials.

Learn more about the data here
  • Type of Event
    Safety alert
  • Event ID
    2127
  • Date
    2016-07-12
  • Event Country
  • Event Source
    ANVISA
  • Event Source URL
  • Notes / Alerts
    Brazilian data is current through June 2018. All of the data comes from Anvisa, 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 data from the U.S. and Brazil.
  • Extra notes in the data
    If you have the affected items in accordance with Attachment A of the Letter to Customer FA Valleylab, please follow the following recommendations: We request that you identify the affected products as per Appendix A and later segregate these items, which are out of use, for later collection that will be performed by Medtronic. Products that are out of use for which item and lot codes are affected must be returned as described in the "Required Actions" section below. If you have distributed the ValleyLab ™ Laparoscopy Electrodes listed in Appendix A, immediately forward the information in this letter to these recipients. All new item and affected item code products must be returned.
  • Reason
    Medtronic is voluntarily recalling specific item codes and production batches of covidien valleylab laparoscopy electrodes. this voluntary recall will be performed due to possible packaging compromise, resulting in a breach of the sterile barrier. using products with such defective packaging may increase the risk of infection. there are no reports of serious injuries associated with this problem.
  • Action
    Field Action Code FA ValleyLab triggered under the responsibility of the company Auto Suture do Brasil Ltda. Company will make collection for later return to the manufacturer.

Manufacturer

  • Manufacturer Parent Company (2017)
  • 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
    ANVSANVISA