Medtronic ICD - Medtronic Defibrillator
Medtronic is one responsible for a great deal of the world’s medical devices. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators, or ICDs, are one of Medtronic’s most popular products. ICDs provide electrical stimulation to induce proper rhythm and prevent spastic contraction of the heart muscle, a potentially fatal condition called fibrillation.
ICDs need to be built within specific parameters to function properly, and should one part of it fail to function properly it can result in severe medical problems for the person who depends on it. Medtronic claims that there are 87,000 ICDs that are subject to a dangerous defect, and there are reports of over 200 failures before February 2006. More than 19,000 people had to have surgery to address the problem in the malfunctioning ICDs, but sadly one man died due to a post-surgical complication.
Also, Medtronic does not always provide enough compensation to remedy the situation they inflicted on their patients. Many people who have to have their ICD replaced discovered that the amount Medtronic is willing to pay does not cover all of their costs, and victims of Medtronic’s error must now pay their own medical expenses. About 2,000 lawsuits still remain against Medtronic as of March 2006, and there will likely be more as the facts of Medtronic’s failures continue to surface.
If you or someone you love was suffered because of a Medtronic ICD, you need to consult an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer immediately. Laws called statutes of limitations give you only so much time to take legal action, and if you hesitate you could lose your right to financial compensation you deserve. Contact a lawyer today.
Medtronic Inc. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of many medical devices, including cardiac pacemakers. These devices are inserted into the chest to provide stimulation to hearts damaged by injury or disease that need outside power to establish proper rhythm and regular beat. In November 2005 Medtronic initiated a recall of almost 40,000 Sigma pacemakers because of a potentially fatal defect. 28,000 of these devices are still implanted in patients around the world.
Medtronic reported that the problem in these pacemakers was due to a solvent used to clean parts of the device caused the degradation of some wiring, which in turn prevented the proper functioning of the device and accelerated battery drainage. Records provided by Medtronic state that 47 and 84 units built between November 2001 and August 2004 could potentially exhibit problems due to this defect over the course of the 10-year lifespan of the devices.
Unfortunately, 19 people with these pacemakers have experienced device failures. No fatalities have been reported due to electrical failure, but any malfunction of a pacemaker can cause serious harm because there are generally few instantly visible indications of loss of output. Furthermore, Medtronic advised all patients with Sigma series pacemakers to consult with their doctors on what to do next.
If you or someone you love uses a Medtronic Sigma pacemaker, you must get in touch with a knowledgeable and dedicated defective medical device lawyer right away. You may be able to seek financial compensation for your pain and suffering, but the statute of limitations restricts the amount of time you have to press your case. Contact a defective medical device attorney today.
Advisories or recalls have been annouced for the following Medtronic devices:
Sigma Implantable Pulse Generators
Original Date of Advisory: November 2005
Potential Separation of Interconnect Wires
Marquis Family of ICDs and CRT-Ds
7274 Marquis DR 7277 InSync Marquis
7230 Marquis VR 7289 InSync II Marquis
7278 Maximo DR 7279 InSync III Marquis
7232 Maximo VR 7285 InSync III Protect
Recalled:February 2005
Potential Premature Battery Depletion Due to Battery Short
7223 Micro Jewel II
7271 GEM DR
Original Date of Advisory: April 5, 2004
Potential Long Charge Times Due to Capacitor – Supplement
AT500 Pacing System
Original Date of Advisory: September 15, 2003
Potential Incorrect Memory Circuit Setting
7271 GEM DR ICDs
Original Date of Advisory: November 14, 2002
Potential Sudden Increase in Charge Times
Kappa 600, 700 Dual Chamber (D, DR, and VDD) IPGs
Original Date of Advisory: March 15, 2002
Potential Fractured Power Supply Wires
7227 with Interchangeable Connector System
Original Date of Advisory: December 20, 2000
Potential High Impedance Due to Removable Connector Header
7223Cx Micro Jewel II ICDs
Original Date of Advisory: November 20, 2000
Potential Long Charge Times Due to Capacitor
7273 GEM II DR
7229Cx GEM II VR
Original Date of Advisory: February 11, 2000
Potential Weak Solder Connection
7271 GEM DR ICDs
Original Date of Advisory: December 16, 1999
Potential Long Charge Times Due to Capacitor
7227Cx GEM
7229Cx GEM II VR
Original Date of Advisory: October 15, 1999
Potential Circuit Overload
Sigma Implantable Pulse Generators
Original Date of Advisory: September 27, 1999
Manufacturing Issue
7227Cx GEM ICDs
Original Date of Advisory: April 2, 1999
Potential High Current Drain
Thera Implantable Pulse Generators
Original Date of Advisory: February 18, 1997
Potential Integrated Circuit Failure
4504, 4504M CapSure Atrial Lead
4582 Target Tip Atrial Lead
Original Date of Advisory: October 4, 1996
Lead Survival Below Expectations
8446, 8448 Legend Plus IPGs
Original Date of Advisory: June 14, 1996
Potential for Improper Programming
4004, 4004M CapSure Ventricular Lead
4082 Target Tip Ventricular Lead
Original Date of Advisory: October 8, 1993
Lead Survival Below Expectations
4012 Target Tip Ventricular Lead
Original Date of Advisory: September 26, 1991
Lead Survival Below Expectations
Minix, Minix ST, Micro Minix IPGs
Original Date of Advisory: May 6, 1991
Potential Delayed Restoration of Permanent Settings
