No lot number was provided by the customer; therefore, a review of the manufacturing device history record could not be performed.Two samples and several photos were provided by the customer and were evaluated by a team from engineering, production, and quality.The photos and the samples revealed smeared and missing print on the hard canisters.The bottoms of the samples were cracked.Discussions were held with the team from engineering, production, and quality to determine assignable cause and corrective actions for canister that have either lost suction on high, low, or both and/or cracked at the base.The team reviewed the photos that were submitted for the sister complaint as well as the samples from the same sister complaint.It is clearly evident by the smeared and missing print that the hard canisters are being cleaned with contra-indicated cleaners explicitly prohibited as spelled out in the product instructions for use.The investigation has also revealed that the hard cans are left on continuous suction 24/7.This practice is not recommended by the instructions for use.Solvents attack the areas of highest stress concentration which is around the bottom edge of the canister and at the gate (center of the bottom) making it weak.The continuous high suction will cause the hard can to break at the weak spots.The combination of contra-indicated cleaners and the continuous high suction will create conditions for canister defects.The instructions for use detail information regarding continuous suction and what type of cleaners to use on the hard canisters, as stated: hardware warnings: 1.Cleaning agents that contain quatemary ammonium salts, strong alkalines or chlorinated benezene (phenols) based hydrocarbons may cause chemical degradation of the material.This could lead to a failure of the products to perform as intended.Warnings: 1.This product is not designed to be kept under vacuum when not in use.Prolonged static vacuum may increase the risk of cracking or implosion.The assignable cause is customer misuse.The damage to the canisters is caused by using contra-indicated cleaners which weaken the polycarbonate followed by continuous high suction 24/7.Trending of past complaint reports indicate that the complaints only are from (b)(6).
|
Customer reported the canisters are breaking within 4 months that their shelf life is becoming shorter.Canister lost suction on high, low or both and/or cracked at the base and sometimes had decreased suction during unknown procedure.Customer has stated they use (b)(6) wipes to clean them down and leave the canisters on high suctions 24/7 and clamp off the tubing, therefore the canisters are under constant pressure.There was no reported adverse event to patient.No further information was provided by customer.
|