‘Paradoxical’ FDA Recalls Report Credits Industry Collaboration For Improved Quality, But Uncovers Troubling Data About Older Devices
• By Shawn M. Schmitt
Medical devices on the market for more than five years are recalled more often than younger ones, according to a recent FDA 10-year retrospective report on corrections and removals. “There is an intuitive appeal to the argument that devices that come to the market in an early point in their lifespan – say, the first year – are more likely to be subject to recalls, but that is simply not true,” CDRH Office of Compliance Director Steven Silverman says. Other notable report findings: troubles with components and software are the leading causes for most recalls; problems with AEDs, ventilators and infusion pumps have triggered an increase in high-risk class I recalls; and domestic manufacturers recall products at a much greater volume than those outside the United States.
FDA’s device center is scratching its head after an internal report concluded that the bulk of products recalled since 2010 are medical devices that have been sold to consumers for more than half a decade.
After two serious injuries and one death linked to some of its ventilators, Medtronic has recalled the devices and asked customers to stop using them and find alternative means. The action comes more than a year after the company left the market.
The US FDA’s device center sent warning letters to three domestic device manufacturers and one German firm for failing to adhere to protocol on several issues.
Q’Apel Medical has pulled its aspiration system for stroke thrombectomy from the market after concerns raised by the US FDA in a February warning letter.
"The AI Airlock program creates a supervised testing ground where novel technologies and challenge areas can be safely investigated," said James Pound, MHRA interim executive director of innovation and compliance.
Medtronic is teaming up with IRCAD North America to build high-tech training and education experiences for surgeons and medical professionals in cardiovascular, neuroscience, and minimally invasive surgical specialties. The move could also further position Medtronic to seize on the growing robotics
