Dive Brief:
- Medtronic has warned that stolen, defective intubation devices are being sold illegally on social media platforms.
- The notice covers McGrath MAC video laryngoscopes that were designated for destruction and never released for sale. After the devices were stolen, they were offered for sale illegally online by third parties.
- Medtronic listed 1,600 serial numbers affected by the notice and warned that any McGrath MAC video laryngoscope without a serial number is also affected by the notice.
Dive Insight:
The laryngoscopes did not pass Medtronic’s quality tests and were designated for destruction. However, before the devices were destroyed, someone stole the equipment. The theft led to the devices being put up for sale online. Medtronic is advising people to buy devices only from trusted and reliable outlets, such as its own channels and authorized distributors.
The stolen devices are not packed in Medtronic’s typical labeled containers. Products that have a serial number that is not on Medtronic’s list and are packed in one of two containers used by the company are conforming, genuine devices. The notice does not explain how the devices were stolen.
According to Medtronic, the products covered by the notice “are defective and should not be used.” Use of defective devices “may result in patient harm, including failed laryngoscopy and/or intubation,” the company said. The failure of the procedures may result in respiratory failure, oxygen deficiency and related heart problems, high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, tissue damage and more.
Medtronic is working with regulatory authorities and law enforcement agencies to identify and remove ads for the defective devices and recover the stolen equipment. The company is also asking anyone with information about the promotion or sale of potentially stolen products to contact its customer service team.