The device was returned to stryker sustainability solutions for evaluation.Upon visual inspection of the received complaint device, an indentation in the teflon pad and evidence of clinical use was identified.The shaft of the device was identified to be bent.The blade was inspected under a microscope and a fracture was found on the distal blade area.The distal gasket appeared to be damaged at the gasket lip and showed signs of minimal tissue proximal to the gasket lip.A review of the dhr supports that the device met all inspection and test criteria prior to release from stryker.Therefore, the most likely root causes are: jaws/blade subassembly damage.Incidental and prolonged activation against solid surfaces, such as bone, metal or plastic.The instructions for use (ifu) state: avoid contact with any and all metal or plastic instruments or objects when the instrument is activated.Contact with staples, clips or other instruments while the instrument is activated may result in cracked or broken blades.Use the torque wrench (already mounted to the shaft) to tighten the blade on the hand piece.Turn the torque wrench clockwise while holding only the gray hand piece until it clicks twice indicating the sufficient torque has been applied to secure the blade.Note: do not use any other means than the torque wrench to attach or detach the instrument from the hand piece.Note: do not torque the instrument by hand without the torque wrench or damage may occur to the hand piece.Note: hold only the gray hand piece and not the instrument handle while applying the torque wrench.Close the trigger.Remove the torque wrench by sliding it off of the shaft.Do not dispose of the torque wrench until the procedure is completed.The torque wrench is used to remove the instrument from the hand piece following the procedure.Dispose the torque wrench only after completing the procedure.Note: take care to avoid damage to the blade and clamp arm by closing the trigger while sliding the torque wrench onto or off of the shaft.Note: take care to avoid injury from the blade tip while sliding the torque wrench onto or off of the shaft.The reported event will continue to be monitored through post-market surveillance.
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It was reported the harmonic scalpel stopped activating during the procedure.The device was replaced with another reprocessed scalpel.There was no patient injury, medical intervention, or extended procedure time reported.These are commonly used devices that are readily available.
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