MAUDE Adverse Event Report: COVIDIEN MEDI-TRACE CADENCE

Model Number 22550R

Device Problem Gel Leak (1267)

Patient Problem No Patient Involvement (2645)

Event Date 06/29/2017

Event Type  malfunction  

Manufacturer Narrative

An investigation is currently under way; upon completion the results will be forwarded.

Event Description

The customer reports that the gel on the electrodes is peeling off before application to the patient.

Manufacturer Narrative

This complaint is for product 22550r, with a lot number 605025x.The customer reports the gel on the electrodes is peeling off before application to the patient.This type of event is commonly referred to gel delamination.Gel delamination occurs when the gel-to-release liner bond strength is greater than the cohesive strength of the gel or greater than the gel-to-substrate bond strength.Such an inequity in bond strength can cause the gel to peel from the substrate and/or tear.Delamination is categorized as follows: an aesthetic delamination defect is characterized by a permanent separation of the hydrogel from the substrate, exposing the underlying carbon vinyl with little (i.E.Area less than 1/8 inch x 1/8 inch) or no hydrogel remains on the release liner.Also, no silver/silver chloride ink is exposed.Aesthetic delamination defects will not significantly affect electrode function, but may displease the clinician.Functional delamination is a permanent separation of the hydrogel from the substrate such that the silver/silver chloride ink remains exposed.Additionally, per the defibrillation electrodes design input document for defibrillation electrodes when the release liner is removed from the electrode, there shall be no more than 45% hydrogel separation from the adult electrode.When the area of separation includes the area of underlying conductive mat, the maximum amount of hydrogel lost is 22% for adult electrodes.With loss of the hydrogel less than the percentages as defined above the electrodes retain functionally essential performance; however the reduction in the hydrogel area with the silver/silver chloride ink being exposed may cause an increase in current density across the remaining gel area.The device history record (dhr) was reviewed for product 22550r, lot 605025x, and it passed all acceptance criteria.The expiration of the finished product is february 18, 2018.The product was still within the expiration period the incident occurred.No adverse conditions, special circumstances, or events were documented that may have led to the gel delamination.In addition, the dhr¿s were reviewed for code sr00020, lot #602903, hydrogel body subassembly were used in product 22550r, lot 605025x.The dhr for the hydrogel body sub-assembly met all acceptance criteria.The hydrogel body sub-assembly lot number was manufactured in february 2016.Raw material records were reviewed as well and all acceptance criteria was met.The uv dosage outputs for curing the hydrogel bodies were within the proper range.The conductive silver/silver chloride ink and gel batch mix sheets were also reviewed.All components and mix time were within tolerance.During the production of hydrogel bodies, four corner peel testing per lab specification is performed to simulate the removal of the electrode release liner by a clinician prior to delivering therapy (corners of gel body are lifted from the liner to evaluate for release of gel from the substrate).The production lot numbers for the hydrogel body sub-assembly, 602903, did exhibit some minor aesthetic delamination and had no functional delamination.Complaint samples were requested from the customer; however to date no samples have been received.Production retains (5 sets) for lot # 605025x were evaluated.None of the five (5) retains evaluated exhibited delamination.Based on the complaint description provided by this complaint is confirmed as gel delamination, however it could not be determined if it was related to manufacturing process.The severity of the gel delamination observed by the customer could not be evaluated as samples exhibiting delamination were not provided and production retains did not exhibit any delamination.In terms of a potential root causes, either the gel was insufficiently cured (the strength of the bond between the gel and the substrate was too weak) or there was insufficient silicone on the mylar liner (the strength of the bond between the gel and the plastic liner was too strong), however none of the production records or incoming inspection records indicate this occurred.Another potential root cause related to manufacturing is that the silver ink re-mixing was not adequately performed during the sub-assembly printing process.If the silver ink is not adequately it may not properly dry which could result in gel not properly adhering to the silver printed substrate.This may contribute to gel delamination.Silver mixtures can become separated over time because they are suspensions; this is visually detectable prior to use.If re-mixing is required the machine operator documents this process occurred and that the silver mixture met the required acceptance criteria.A review of the production records indicated that silver re-mixing was not required.Additionally, gel delamination may become exacerbated the defib electrodes are not improper storage.As indicated on the product packaging proper storage and usage of the electrodes is critical to the performance of the gel.The electrodes should be stored in their sealed protective pouch in a cool, dry place and out of direct sunlight.Do not open package until ready for use.Do not bend, fold, or puncture the packaging.Improper storage conditions and/or handling of the product may compromise gel properties prior to the expiration.The environmental and handling condition in which the product was stored was not provided with the complaint.Based upon the investigative details and the root cause evaluation, no further corrective or preventative actions will be taken at this time in relation to the exhibited delamination.We will continue to trend this defect for future occurrences as part of the complaint review process.If information is provided in the future, a supplemental report will be issued.

• Brand Name: MEDI-TRACE CADENCE
• Manufacturer (Section D): COVIDIEN; 2 ludlow park dr; chicopee MA 01022 1318
• Manufacturer (Section G): COVIDIEN; 2 ludlow park dr; chicopee MA 01022 1318
• Manufacturer Contact: edward almeida ; 15 hampshire street; mansfield, MA 02048 ; 5084524151
• MDR Report Key: 6750842
• MDR Text Key: 81424719
• Report Number: 1219103-2017-05009
• Device Sequence Number: 1
• Product Code: DRO
• UDI-Device Identifier: 10884527022335
• UDI-Public: 10884527022335
• Combination Product (y/n): N
• Reporter Country Code: US
• Number of Events Reported: 1
• Summary Report (Y/N): N
• Report Source: Manufacturer
• Source Type: company representative,user f
• Reporter Occupation: Other
• Type of Report: Initial,Followup
• Report Date: 01/22/2018

1 Device was Involved in the Event

1 Patient was Involved in the Event

• Date FDA Received: 07/28/2017
• Is this a Product Problem Report?: Yes
• Device Operator: Health Professional
• Device Expiration Date: 03/01/2019
• Device Model Number: 22550R
• Device Catalogue Number: 22550R
• Device Lot Number: 705913X
• Was Device Available for Evaluation?: No
• Is the Reporter a Health Professional?: No
• Date Manufacturer Received: 06/29/2017
• Was Device Evaluated by Manufacturer?: No
• Date Device Manufactured: 03/01/2017
• Is the Device Single Use?: Yes
• Type of Device Usage: Unknown
• Patient Sequence Number: 1