Qn# (b)(4).The customer report of a kinked guide wire prior to use was confirmed through complaint investigation of the returned sample.The customer provided one photo and returned one unopened sac kit for evaluation.No signs-of-use were observed.The kit was opened to further inspect the returned components.Visual inspection of the guide wire revealed one kink in the guide wire body.Microscopic examination confirmed the damage.Both welds are present and appeared full and spherical.Creasing and bending was also observed on the guide wire tube and the product packaging.The lidstock clearly states "do not bend".The kink in the guide wire measured 36mm via calibrated ruler from the distal end.The guide wire length measured 349mm via calibrated ruler which was within the specification of 345-355mm per product drawing.The guide wire outer diameter (od) measured 0.52mm via calibrated caliper which was within the specifications of 0.508-0.533mm per product drawing.Functional inspection of the guide wire was performed per the instructions-for-use (ifu) provided with the kit which states, "insert desired tip of spring-wire guide through introducer needle into artery (until de pth-marking [if provided] on wire enters hub of needle).Thread tip of indwelling catheter over spring-wire guide." the undamaged portions of the guide wire were threaded through the returned 20 ga introducer needle with no resistance.A manual tug test confirmed the distal and proximal welds were attached.The manufacturing site indicated that the observed kink, in addition to the creasing in the packaging, is consistent with damage caused by shipping and handling.As part of the guide wire manufacturing process, each guidewire is passed through a ring gauge so it is unlikely that this defect would have been present prior to release from the manufacturing site.The instructions for use (ifu) provided with this kit warns the user, "precaution: use of excessive force may damage catheter or guidewire.Do not use if package is damaged." a device history record review was performed with no relevant findings.The lidstock clearly states "do not bend." based on the customer description and the sample received, storage and shipping caused or contributed to this event.Teleflex will continue to monitor and trend for complaints of this nature.
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