News for 2008

FDA approves software update for faulty defibrillator

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a software update from Medtronic that will help detect fractures in the company’s Sprint Fidelis cardiac defibrillator lead. The software will alert both patients and physicians of a possible fracture in the lead. Earlier intervention in the event of such a fracture will help patients avert the serious complications that can arise.

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Lead shocks send patient to psychiatrist

A patient affected by Medtronic’s 2007 of defibrillator leads is suing the company, claiming unnecessary shocks led to post-traumatic stress syndrome that required psychiatric treatment.

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Poor FDA scrutiny of Medtronic Sprint Fidelis lead

The 2007 Medtronic Sprint Fidelis Defibrillator Lead could just be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to defective implantable medical devices. That’s because the number of medical devices meant to be implanted in patients’ bodies is rapidly rising. Unfortunately, despite their rising numbers, as the case of the Sprint Fidelis Lead recall illustrates, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is doing a poor job of regulating implantable devices, and often ignores reports of device failures until someone dies.

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Medtronic settles defective defibrillator lawsuits for $114 Million

Medtronic Inc., the maker of the defective Sprint Fidelis Defibrillator Lead, announced last week that it had reached a settlement agreement regarding another of its faulty medical devices. The company has agreed to pay out $114 million to settle product liability lawsuits filed as the result of injuries cased by its malfunctioning Marquis line of implanted cardiac defibrillators. Despite the huge settlement agreement, said it does not admit liability in the litigation.

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