Medtronic Issues Urgent Class-I Recall Notifications for the SynchroMed® Implantable Infusion System

Medtronic’s press release:

MINNEAPOLIS – June 26, 2013 – In June 2013, Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) initiated four medical device notifications to customers worldwide about the SynchroMed® Implantable Infusion System. These notifications provide clinicians with information to help identify and manage issues that impact the safe and reliable delivery of therapy using the SynchroMed Implantable Infusion System.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified three of these notifications as Class I recalls.The fourth notification is an update to a 2011 action related to pump refill which was previously classified by the FDA as a Class I recall.

Patients are encouraged to maintain regular follow-up appointments with their physicians; however, if they experience a change or return of symptoms or hear a device alarm, they should contact their physician immediately. No action is required of physicians beyond the recommendations provided in the notifications.

Medtronic’s intrathecal drug delivery systems are used to treat chronic, intractable pain and severe spasticity of cerebral or spinal origin. These notifications do not involve Medtronic external insulin pumps for diabetes.

Specifically, the Neuromodulation business of Medtronic has initiated the following field corrective actions:

SynchroMed Implantable Infusion Pump Priming Bolus Medtronic has issued an Urgent Medical Device Correction notification which provides physicians with important safety information and patient management recommendations regarding the SynchroMed Implantable Infusion System priming bolus function. The FDA has classified this notification as a Class I recall.

The priming bolus function is used to quickly move drug from the SynchroMed pump reservoir to the catheter tip to initiate intrathecal drug delivery therapy while a patient remains under medical supervision. Medtronic has found that any time the priming bolus is used with a SynchroMed pump, drug mixes with the sterile water or cerebrospinal fluid already in the catheter. This mixing results in the unintended delivery of drug prior to the end of the programmed bolus, as well as dilution of some of the drug remaining in the catheter at the end of the bolus. This can contribute to an increased risk of adverse events involving drug overdose or underdose following an initial system implant or revision.The effects of a drug overdose or underdose will vary depending on the drug being infused but may include, for example, a reduced level of consciousness or a return of underlying symptoms.

Medtronic recommends healthcare professionals continue using the priming bolus procedure to ensure therapy is initiated while a patient is under medical supervision. Recommendations are being provided for performing a priming bolus, monitoring patients post implant, and educating patients and caregivers. Medtronic continues to investigate factors related to this issue to determine appropriate product updates.

SynchroMed Implantable Infusion Pump Shorting

Medtronic has issued an Urgent Medical Device Correction notification to inform physicians about the potential for an electrical short within the SynchroMed pump. The FDA has classified this notification as a Class I recall.

An electrical short could lead to pump motor stall and a subsequent loss of or reduction in therapy, which can result in the return of underlying symptoms and/or withdrawal symptoms. The SynchroMed II pump is equipped with alarms designed to alert the patient in the event of a motor stall.

Medtronic encourages patients to contact their physicians immediately if they experience a return of symptoms or hear a device alarm. The cumulative failure rate due to this issue is less than one percent at seven years post implant. Because of the estimated low occurrence rate, the alarm safety feature and the risks associated with replacement surgery, Medtronic is not recommending removal of the devices unless a patient’s pump shows signs of a malfunction. Medtronic is in the process of developing design updates to mitigate this issue.

SC Intrathecal Catheter Product Removal

Medtronic has redesigned its Sutureless Connector (SC) Catheter to reduce the potential for occlusion, which is the blockage or cessation of drug flow due to misalignment at the point where the catheter connects to an implantable pump. As a result, the company has initiated a voluntary removal of unused products manufactured before the catheter design change. To reduce the risk for occlusion, Medtronic strongly recommends that customers discontinue the use of all SC Catheter models 8709SC, 8731SC, 8596SC, 8578 manufactured prior to the design change. These products are identified by a ‘use by’ date prior to August 25, 2014. The FDA has classified this notification as a Class I recall.

SynchroMed Implantable Infusion Pump Refill Procedure Safety Update

Medtronic is distributing a revised Clinician Refill Reference Card with information about the pump refill procedure for the SynchroMed Implantable Infusion System. This is a continuation of a 2011 notification that was previously classified as a Class I recall. The revised reference card reflects new product labeling approved by the FDA to help healthcare professionals reduce the potential for a pocket fill during the SynchroMed pump refill procedure. A pocket fill is the inadvertent injection during a refill procedure of all or some of the prescribed drug into the patient’s subcutaneous tissue, which includes the pump pocket (area under the skin where the pump is placed), instead of into the pump.