Delamination Risk Provokes Covidien Recall of PTFE Coated Vascular Products

Covidien plc has notified customers of a voluntary recall to address an issue with certain lots of its Pipeline™ Embolization Device and Alligator™ Retrieval Device where the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating applied to the delivery wire could delaminate and detach from the devices.

Background

The Pipeline™ Embolization Device is indicated for the endovascular treatment of adults (22 years of age and older) with large or giant wide‐necked intracranial aneurysms in the internal carotid artery from the petrous to the superior hypophyseal segments. The Alligator Retrieval Device is intended for use in the peripheral and neuro‐vasculature for foreign body retrieval.

PTFE coating is used to reduce friction between devices and ease navigation through the vasculature. Delamination of the PTFE coating could potentially lead to embolic occlusion in the cerebral vasculature with the risk of stroke and/or death.

Once it spotted the issue, Covidien therefore took the precautionary step of invoking a recall, despite not having received any reports of patient injuries related to this issue. The company apparently learned of the problem through internal product testing.

A total of only 32 Pipeline Embolization Devices and 621 Alligator Retrieval Devices are affected by this recall. The products were manufactured and distributed from May 2013 to March 2014. The issue involves both the Pipeline Embolization Device sold in the U.S., Australia, France, Germany and United Kingdom, and the Alligator Retrieval Device, which is sold in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Europe and Latin America.

Covidien alerted customers to the recall by letter on April 1, 2014, and is arranging for replacement of the recalled products. The U.S. FDA and other regulatory bodies also have been notified.

Source: Covidien, plc

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