MAUDE Adverse Event Report: AOMORI OLYMPUS CO., LTD. THUNDERBEAT 5 MM, 35 CM, FRONT-ACTUATED GRIP TYPE S; ULTRASONIC SURGICAL DEVICE

Model Number TB-0535FCS

Device Problems Break (1069); Fracture (1260)

Patient Problem No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions (4582)

Event Date 07/26/2023

Event Type  malfunction  

Manufacturer Narrative

To date, the device has not been returned to olympus for evaluation.The investigation is ongoing.A supplemental report will be submitted upon completion of the investigation or if any additional information is provided by the user facility.

Event Description

An olympus sales representative reported on behalf of a customer, during an unspecified procedure, the thunderbeat grasper part was broken.There was no report of patient harm associated with this event.

Manufacturer Narrative

This report is being supplemented to provide additional information based on the device evaluation and the legal manufacturer's final investigation.The subject device was returned to olympus for evaluation.During inspection and testing, the allegation was confirmed.The probe was broken.The fracture surface of the probe was checked and found that cracks had developed from the non-insulated side of grasping section.In addition, the proximal side of the tissue pad was worn away.There was a mark in the non-insulated area of grasping section which came in contact with the probe and was abraded against it.A review of the device history record (dhr) found no deviations that could have caused or contributed to the reported malfunction.The dhr confirmed that the subject device was shipped in accordance with the specifications.A definitive root cause for this issue was not established.It is presumed the breakage of the probe occurred due to the following mechanisms: 1.The output was activated in seal & cut mode while the grasping section was grasping thick tissue.Therefore, the probe and the tissue pad came into contact at the rear end of the grasping section, causing the tissue pad to wear out.2.The non-insulated area of the grasping section and the probe came into contact due to wear of the tissue pad.3.The output in seal & cut was activated while the non-insulated area of the grasping section was in contact with the probe.As a result, a contact mark developed.4.A force to activate the output in seal &cut mode or a force to grasp tissue was applied to the probe.Therefore, cracks developed at a contact mark.5.A force was applied to the probe causing it to break.The instruction manual provides the following: ¿·do not activate output in seal & cut mode while the grasping section is closed without contacting tissue or vessel or ensuring that tissue is transected.Otherwise, a local increase of the temperature due to a friction between the probe tip and the grasping section may result in various forms of damage in the probe tip and/or the tissue pad, such as premature wear, breakage, deformation, and/or falling off inside the body cavity and/or partial separating.¿ when cutting and vessel sealing is performed in seal & cut mode, apply light tension on the tissue so that users can confirm it is transected.Also, stop activation immediately after tissue is transected.Otherwise, the grasping section, the tissue pad, or the probe tip may break and fall off, and partial separating of the tissue pad may occur due to a local increase of temperature caused by the friction between tissue pad and the probe tip during activation.¿ during the treatment, do not activate output while applying the probe tip to the tissue with a strong force, grasping thick tissue, or twisting the handle.Also, do not insert the handle while the handle is twisted with respect to the tissue, do not grasp it, and do not activate the output.Otherwise, the probe tip and/or grasping section may be damaged, which may result in falling of the probe tip and/or tissue pad.¿ olympus will continue to monitor field performance for this device.

Event Description

Additional information was provided regarding this event.The tip of the thunderbeat broke during a laparoscopic vaginal hysterectomy.The procedure was completed without delay, using a replacement device (non thunderbeat).There was no additional medical intervention required or patient harm associated with this event.

• Brand Name: THUNDERBEAT 5 MM, 35 CM, FRONT-ACTUATED GRIP TYPE S
• Type of Device: ULTRASONIC SURGICAL DEVICE
• Manufacturer (Section D): AOMORI OLYMPUS CO., LTD.; 2-248-1 okkonoki; kuroishi-shi, aomori 036-0 357; JA 036-0357
• Manufacturer (Section G): AOMORI OLYMPUS CO., LTD.; 2-248-1 okkonoki; kuroishi-shi, aomori
• Manufacturer Contact: todd brill ; 800 west park drive; westborough, MA 01581 ; 5082077661
• MDR Report Key: 17585970
• MDR Text Key: 321688744
• Report Number: 9614641-2023-01202
• Device Sequence Number: 1
• Product Code: GEI
• UDI-Device Identifier: 04953170383540
• UDI-Public: 04953170383540
• Combination Product (y/n): N
• Reporter Country Code: US
• PMA/PMN Number: K211838
• Number of Events Reported: 1
• Summary Report (Y/N): N
• Report Source: Manufacturer
• Source Type: Health Professional,User Facility
• Reporter Occupation: Other Health Care Professional
• Type of Report: Initial,Followup
• Report Date: 09/26/2023

1 Device was Involved in the Event

1 Patient was Involved in the Event

• Is this an Adverse Event Report?: No
• Is this a Product Problem Report?: Yes
• Device Operator: Health Professional
• Device Model Number: TB-0535FCS
• Device Lot Number: KR342652
• Was Device Available for Evaluation?: Device Returned to Manufacturer
• Is the Reporter a Health Professional?: Yes
• Was the Report Sent to FDA?: No
• Initial Date Manufacturer Received: 07/26/2023
• Initial Date FDA Received: 08/21/2023
• Supplement Dates Manufacturer Received: 09/13/2023
• Supplement Dates FDA Received: 09/26/2023
• Was Device Evaluated by Manufacturer?: Yes
• Date Device Manufactured: 05/24/2023
• Is the Device Single Use?: Yes
• Is This a Reprocessed and Reused Single-Use Device?: No
• Type of Device Usage: Initial
• Patient Sequence Number: 1