News for May, 2009

Medtronic informs doctors of faulty pacemakers; Letter to patients to follow

Medical device maker Medtronic sent a letter to doctors worldwide earlier this month warning that nearly 37,000 of its Sigma and Kappa pacemakers, most manufactured between November 2000 and November 2002, could have faulty wiring that can cause the pacemakers to work improperly or not at all. This defect can be deadly for the estimated 1.7 million people who have pacemakers implanted in their chests.

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Hamburg hopes to create a culture in FDA where concerns are heard

hamburg 100x100President Barack Obama’s top pick for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner, Bioterrorsim expert and former New York City health commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg, says if confirmed she would “create a culture (at the agency) that would enable all voices to be heard,” according to Thompson, a human resources Web site. The comment was made during a question-and-answer exchange with Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md) during the 1 ½-hour confirmation hearing.

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Alabama man injured by cardiac defibrillator sues manufacturer

Beasley Allen Law Firm attorneys P. Leigh O’Dell and Ted G. Meadows filed a lawsuit on April 29, 2009, on behalf of Patrick M. Lancaster of Alabama, alleging that the plaintiff suffered injuries as a result of having been implanted with a Sprint Fidelis Lead manufactured by Medtronic, Inc. The lawsuit names defendants Inc., Puerto Rico, Inc., and Puerto Rico Operations Co.

The complaint incorporates by reference the relevant portions of the Master Consolidated Complaint for Individuals on file with the Clerk of the Court for the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota in the matter In Re , INC., SPRINT FIDELIS LEAD PRODUCT LIABILITY LITIGATION.

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