MAUDE Adverse Event Report: NORTHGATE TECHNOLOGIES INC. NEBULAE I; INSUFFLATOR

Model Number 6-820-00

Device Problems Thermal Decomposition of Device (1071); Overheating of Device (1437)

Patient Problem No Known Impact Or Consequence To Patient (2692)

Event Date 07/02/2020

Event Type  malfunction  

Manufacturer Narrative

The warmer, nti part number 6-820-00; serial number (b)(4) arrived at nti on 7/17/2020 from japanese distributor amco, inc.The unit was evaluated under nti capa 20046.There was evidence of a high temperature event noted (e.G., the heater cartridge was "stuck" to the warmer, scorch marks were observed on the inside of the sheath).The cable was found to be excessively bent at the point where the cable exits the lemo connector.The resistance was measured between the htr- to rtd- pins, when the cable was bent near the connector an intermittent partial short was measured.Based on a previous investigation (capa (b)(4)), shorting of the htr- and rtd- pins can cause uncontrolled flow of current to the heater element.The root cause is likely due to shorting of the wires which resulted from repeated pulling on the cable over time.Upon follow-up communication with the distributor in (b)(4), it was determined that the warmer had been autoclaved approximately 50 times, which is less than the defined life of the warmer (100 uses) according to the product requirement specification document.The device history record for 61770dca from april of 2018 (manufacturing order (b)(4)) was reviewed and the device passed all testing.Nothing out of the ordinary was noted.The device has not been returned to nti for repair / evaluation previously.There have been no other complaints reported to nti for this device.Any additional findings will be updated via a follow-up report.

Event Description

On 7/13/2020, northgate technologies was made aware of an issue with an in-line warmer from distributor amco in (b)(4) where it was alleged, "shortly after starting to use nebulae i and the warmer, the user noticed the warmer heated up to too high temperature without an alarm and any symbol.They didn't notice a high temperature or the warmer didn't get too hot before starting insufflation.Our tech did a repeatable test, but the behavior was not found." there was no adverse effect reported.

Manufacturer Narrative

Device code updated from 1071:thermal decomposition of device to 1437: overheating of device this device code is more appropriate given the complaint description and findings noted.Problem associated with the device producing high temperatures, such that its operation is compromised or harm is caused (e.G.Overheating that produces melting of components or automatic shutdown).Cause codes updated to include 19: cause traced to end user this cause code is being included based on the additional findings.Additional information: upon further evaluation of the suspect device the initial root cause was disproved.The original measured partial short still existed intermittently after disassembling the connector (the collar nut was very loose and able to be removed by hand) and the cable around the bending was cut open.The partial short occured when the wires were flexed but the measured resistance was too high (in the order of mega ohms range) to result in the overheating of the warmer as originally suspected.Based on the description in the complaint that "the user noticed the warmer heated up to a high temperature without an alarm and any symbol" and confirmation from the customer that they did not see the thermometer icon displayed on the screen, the root cause of the over-heating was most likely due to misaligned pins on the connector assembly as a result of improper re-assembly or disengagement over time.A misaligned connector will not be recognized by the nebulae i but could cause an uncontrolled current to flow through the warmer resulting in overheat as investigated and addressed via capa 17053.

• Brand Name: NEBULAE I
• Type of Device: INSUFFLATOR
• Manufacturer (Section D): NORTHGATE TECHNOLOGIES INC.; 1591 scottsdale court; elgin, il
• MDR Report Key: 10391576
• MDR Text Key: 202398155
• Report Number: 0001450997-2020-00006
• Device Sequence Number: 1
• Product Code: HIF
• UDI-Device Identifier: 00817183020233
• UDI-Public: 00817183020233
• Combination Product (y/n): N
• PMA/PMN Number: K022052
• Number of Events Reported: 1
• Summary Report (Y/N): N
• Report Source: Manufacturer
• Source Type: distributor,foreign
• Type of Report: Initial,Followup
• Report Date: 08/10/2020

1 Device was Involved in the Event

1 Patient was Involved in the Event

• Is this a Product Problem Report?: Yes
• Device Operator: Health Professional
• Device Model Number: 6-820-00
• Device Catalogue Number: 6-820-00
• Was Device Available for Evaluation?: Device Returned to Manufacturer
• Date Returned to Manufacturer: 07/17/2020
• Initial Date Manufacturer Received: 07/13/2020
• Initial Date FDA Received: 08/11/2020
• Supplement Dates Manufacturer Received: 08/12/2020
• Supplement Dates FDA Received: 09/09/2020
• Is This a Reprocessed and Reused Single-Use Device?: No
• Patient Sequence Number: 1