Recall of Medtronic Dual-Chamber External Pulse Generator

According to New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority, this recall involved a device in New Zealand that was produced by Medtronic Inc.

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
    18257
  • Event Initiated Date
    2015-03-18
  • Event Country
  • Event Source
    NZMMDSA
  • Event Source URL
  • Notes / Alerts
    Data from New Zealand is current through July 2018. All of the data comes from the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority, 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 New Zealand.
  • Extra notes in the data
    Recalling Organisation: Medtronic New Zealand Limited, Unit 16 Mezzanine Level, 5 Gloucester Park Road, Onehunga, AUCKLAND
  • Reason
    Medtronic has received six (6) reports (out of approximately 6,000 model 5392 epgs distributed globally) where the negative terminal of a commercially available aa (lr6) battery did not maintain a sufficient connection with the battery drawer electrical contact. this issue could prevent the epg from powering on or cause the epg to abruptly lose primary battery power, potentially stopping delivery of pacing therapy.
  • Action
    Product to be exchanged

Device

  • Model / Serial
    Model: 5392, Affected:
  • 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
    NZMMDSA