The Recall Desk
HighFDA (Devices)·Z-1681-2015·Announced 2015-06-03

Medtronic Recalls SynchroMed II Implantable Pumps Due to Alarm Failure

Medtronic is recalling specific SynchroMed II implantable drug pumps because the audible alarm may stop working, potentially preventing patients from detecting issues.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (implantable medical device) where the failure of a safety alarm could lead to injury, but the source text does not report any specific injuries or illnesses, fitting the 'High' severity criteria for theoretical risk without reported harm.

Plain-English summary

Medtronic Neuromodulation is conducting a recall of a specific subset of Model 8637-20 and 8637-40 SynchroMed II implantable drug pumps. The recall is being issued because the audible alarm on these devices could cease to function.

The SynchroMed II pumps are part of an infusion system that stores and delivers a prescribed drug to a specific site in the body. The affected units are sterile and were distributed worldwide, including in the United States and various international markets.

Patients with these specific implantable pumps should contact their healthcare provider or Medtronic for instructions on how to proceed. The recall is focused on the potential failure of the audible alarm, which is a safety feature designed to alert users to device status.

The recalled product

Product
Medtronic SynchroMed II Implantable Infusion Pumps, models 8637-20 and 8637-40. Sterile. Product Usage: The implantable Medtronic SynchroMed II programmable pumps are part of an infusion system that stores and delivers a prescribed drug to a specific site. The implanted infu

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

The notice also names 3 states specifically: