Pacemaker and Defibrillator News
Guidant’s reparation plan called inadequate
A plan to pay $2,500 each to patients to replace malfunctioning heart devices has brought criticism to Guidant, according to attorneys who are suing the company. One of the plaintiffs’ lead attorneys, Charles S. Zimmerman, called the $2,500 offer “less than 10% of the cost of replacement.”
Tennessee lawsuit alleges bribery by Medtronic
According to a whistle-blower lawsuit, medical device maker Medtronic improperly paid millions of dollars to several doctors across the country, causing them to perform unnecessary spinal surgeries and otherwise affecting their good judgment.
FDA cites Medtronic about external defibrillators
Medtronic, the world’s largest maker of heart devices that maintain a steady beat, has failed to correct manufacturing problems or to investigate complaints about its external defibrillators, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
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St. Jude Medical informs doctors, FDA about defibrillator problem
Doctors and federal regulators have been notified by St. Jude Medical that a software problem with some of its implantable defibrillators may cause them to malfunction. The company said that no resulting deaths or injuries have yet to occur, but since 39,000 patients are affected that could change.