Medtronic recalls intrathecal catheters

Medtronic, the medical devices company, has announced it is recalling the model 8731 intrathecal catheter and the model 8598 intrathecal catheter distal revision kit.

The warning applies to devices that have not been implanted and have a use-before date of August 28th 2006.

Medtronic says the recall is necessary because there have been 22 reports of the platinum-iridium tip becoming dislodged by the guide wire during implantation, potentially increasing the risk of infection and other health complications.

A statement read: “In one case, post-operative leg pain was reported in a patient with chronic back pain. The leg pain could have been related to a dislodged catheter tip in the intrathecal space.”

Medtronic stated that the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency had been informed of the decision to voluntarily recall the catheters.

The company’s shares were reduced by ten per cent on release of the news, coupled with the announcement that the company’s quarterly sales would fall short of expectations.

One expert, Michael Weinstein of JP Morgan, is quoted by Reuters as saying: “This was made worse by a weak market in July, sparked by Boston Scientific’s recalls and as it came time to refill hospital inventories at the end of Medtronic’s July quarter, there was simply no demand.”

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