Medtronic Leads: New Software to Detect Fractures
Good news for Medtronic defective lead patients: the FDA last week approved of a software update from Medtronic that will help detect fractures of Medtronic's Sprint Fidelis cardiac defibrillator lead. The new software package will allow Medtronic patients to rest a little easier knowing that the software will alert patients of a potential Medtronic lead fracture.
Our lawyers are handling claims for defective Medtronic Sprint Fidelis leads that were the subject of a October 2007 Medtronic "recall" because the leads were found to be prone to fracture in a small number of patients. I put recall in quotes because by necessity, most of the patients with the Medtronic Sprint Fidelis lead still have the device implanted in their chests because of the surgical risk associated with removal.
This cynic in me wonders if Medtronic's purpose in developing this new software was to decrease the potential damages to patients without fractures to improve their chances in the Medtronic medical monitoring lawsuits that are being filed around the country (currently consolidated in a MDL). Why didn't they develop this product sooner? But forget about that for now. Good job Medtronic in finding a product to help you patients deal with the concerns that they are having.
