Events

Safety Alert for Electrosurgery System FORCE ARGON

According to National Institute of Drugs and Food Surveillance (INVIMA), this safety alert involved a device in Colombia that was produced by Covidien || Covidien Llc.

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
    R1702-71
  • Event Number
    2008EBC-0002986
  • Date
    2017-02-23
  • Event Country
    Colombia
  • Event Source
    INVIMA
  • Event Source URL
    https://app.invima.gov.co/alertas/dispositivos-medicos-invima?page=100
  • Notes / Alerts
    Colombian data is current through June 2019. All of the data comes from the National Institute of Drugs and Food Surveillance (INVIMA), 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 Colombia.
  • Extra notes in the data
  • Reason
    The manufacturer states that it has detected a possible compromise in the packaging, which results in a compromised sterile barrier that increases the risk of infection, leading to the occurrence of adverse events on the patient.

Device

Electrosurgery System FORCE ARGON
  • Model / Serial
  • Product Description
    This equipment is an argon gas administration system that is used in conjunction with an electrosurgical generator for the effects of argon gas assisted electrosurgery. The system offers precise energy application for non-contact coagulation on large surface areas. The coagulation intensified by argon, hemostatic hemostasis with a thinner and more flexible eschar, less possible bleeding and less tissue damage.
  • Manufacturer
    Covidien || Covidien Llc

Manufacturer

Covidien || Covidien Llc
  • 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
    NIDFSINVIMA