It was reported to aesculap inc.That a prestige atra grasper (part # 8360-10) was to be returned for repair.On (b)(6) 2021, the device underwent a preliminary evaluation by aesculap technical services (ats) which identified wear and a break at the rotational housing; the weld was notably separated.Although requested, additional information has not yet been received.Should additional details become available a supplemental medwatch report will be submitted.
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Manufacturing site evaluation: aesculap inc.Previously reported that a supplier corrective action request (scar) was initiated due to an adverse trend observed for devices exhibiting failure at the thumb-loop assembly joint.The supplier evaluated the malfunction by looking at devices with a lot number beginning with "m." as a result of their findings, the push rod fixture was redesigned to increase the clearance, which ensured that the fixture appropriately stressed the entirety of the soldering joint.Upon implementing the new fixture, the supplier tested returned non-conforming samples, and verified that the soldering no longer hung up on the new fixture, as had been observed on the previous one.The complaint device was returned to the manufacturer for physical evaluation.A visual examination was performed which confirmed that rotator housing is separated from the shaft due to weld failure.Additionally, functional testing was performed which revealed that the handle action was not smooth.An investigation of the device manufacturing records was conducted by the manufacturer for the lot # of the device in question.No non-conformances were reported.All device history records (dhr) are reviewed and released according to documented procedures and a device is not released if it does not meet requirements or is nonconforming.Additionally, historical scrap rates were reviewed with no increase observed in scrap related to the complaint issue.In addition to the redesign of the soldering fixture, the supplier reviewed the work instruction for the torch soldering operation and identified improvement opportunities.The original work instruction was used to better define the soldering process with a more focused emphasis on the following: equipment startup and shutoff operations, clear imagery of acceptable soldered subassemblies, and clarified cleaning operations for components prior to soldering.A second dedicated work instruction was implemented to better define the attribute inspection criteria for the brazing process used for the solder between the thumb loop and rotator block.The investigation into the cause of the reported problem was able to confirm the failure mode of a proximal weld failure.This event likely occurred due to inadequacies in the defined production process which limited the device performance.Therefore, the most probable root cause is considered to be manufacturing related.In addition to a supplier corrective action request (scar) being initiated, a corrective action/preventive action (capa) was opened by aesculap inc.For further evaluation of the design transfer of this device.
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