MAUDE Adverse Event Report: ETHICON INC. VCL CT BRD VIO 8X18IN 4-0 S/A SH-1 CR; SUTURE, ABSORBABLE, SYNTHETIC

Model Number	J771D
Medical Device Problem Code	Break (1069)
Health Effect - Clinical Code	No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions (4582)
Date of Event	02/11/2022
Type of Reportable Event	Malfunction
Additional Manufacturer Narrative
(b)(4).This report is being submitted pursuant to the provisions of 21 cfr, part 803.This report may be based on information which has not been investigated or verified prior to the required reporting date.This report does not reflect a conclusion by ethicon inc, or its employees that the report constitutes an admission that the product, ethicon inc or its employees caused or contributed to the potential event described in this report.If information is obtained that was not available for the initial report, a follow-up report will be filed as appropriate.Attempts have been made to retrieve the device.To date the device has not been returned.If the device or further details are received at a later date a supplemental medwatch will be sent.Additional information was requested, and the following was obtained via: was the needle piece(s) retrieved during the same procedure? yes.Was there any additional tissue damage as a result of searching for the needle piece? no tissue damage.What is current condition of the patient? unk.What was the size of the needle used? 22mm.Was more than half the needle retained in the patient? no needle retained in the paitent.A manufacturing record evaluation was performed for the finished device lot, and no non-conformances were identified.Photo analysis: a photograph was received for evaluation.It was observed a needle broke in the tip area with a suture segment.As part of our quality process, manufacturing records for this batch serial number were reviewed and manufacturing standards were met prior to the release of this batch.Based on the photo review, the event describe is confirmed, however no conclusion or root cause could be determined.Hands on device analysis may provide the additional evidence necessary to confirm the root cause of the reported event.Because the instrument was not returned our evaluation is limited.We value the opportunity to fully analyze the instrument upon its return as part of quality process, all devices are manufactured, inspected, and released to approved specifications.
Event or Problem Description
It was reported that a patient underwent a thyroid procedure on (b)(6) 2022 and suture was used.During the procedure, it was reported that the needle broke during sewing at the first stitch as attached photo.Another like device was used to complete the procedure.There were no patient consequences reported.Additional information was requested.
Additional Manufacturer Narrative
Product complaint # (b)(4).Date sent to the fda: 4/22/2022.H3 investigation summary: a failed suture needle was submitted fractographic evaluation.The component was identified as product code j771d.It was requested that hsa assess the fracture mode of the failure.A fracture was observed near the tip body of the needle.The needle was received in two pieces, only one of the mating fracture surfaces was examined for this evaluation.A scanning electron microscope was used to examine the fracture surfaces and surrounding area of the needle.The fracture surfaces were examined in multiple locations to determine the fracture mode.The evaluation revealed the fracture was composed of microvoid coalescence, which is evidence of a ductile fracture mode.Mechanical damage observed coincidental to the fracture provide additional evidence that the failure was induced by mechanical deformation leading to ductile overload.This was a ductile fracture.The evidence of this examination indicates that the breakage occurred at the tip of the needle during use due to tensile overload.There is no evidence of any material flaw or defect that would cause premature failure.In order to avoid this kind of damage grasp the needle in an area one-third (1/3) to one-half (1/2) of the distance from the attachment end to the point.A fracture was observed near the tip body of the needle.The needle was received in two pieces, only one of the mating fracture surfaces was examined for this evaluation.Additional complaint information monitoring for potential safety signals is conducted through complaint trending as part of post-market surveillance.This report is being submitted pursuant to the provisions of 21 cfr, part 803.This report may be based on information which has not been investigated or verified prior to the required reporting date.This report does not reflect a conclusion by ethicon inc, or its employees that the report constitutes an admission that the product, ethicon inc or its employees caused or contributed to the potential event described in this report.If information is obtained that was not available for the initial report, a follow-up report will be filed as appropriate.

• Brand Name: VCL CT BRD VIO 8X18IN 4-0 S/A SH-1 CR
• Common Device Name: SUTURE, ABSORBABLE, SYNTHETIC
• Manufacturer (Section D): ETHICON INC.; 1000 route 202; raritan NJ 08869
• Manufacturer (Section G): ETHICON INC.-JUAREZ; avenida de las torres 7125; col salvacar; cuidad juarez ; MX
• Manufacturer Contact: elba bello ; 1000 route 202; raritan, NJ 08869
• MDR Report Key: 13726050
• Report Number: 2210968-2022-01680
• Device Sequence Number: 6055123
• Product Code: GAM
• UDI-Device Identifier: 10705031042858
• UDI-Public: 10705031042858
• Combination Product (Y/N): N
• Initial Reporter Country: CH
• PMA/510(K) Number: K022269
• Number of Events Summarized: 1
• Summary Report (Y/N): N
• Serviced by Third Party (Y/N): Unknown
• Reporter Type: Manufacturer
• Report Source: Foreign
• Initial Reporter Occupation: Other
• Type of Report: Initial,Followup
• Report Date (Section B): 04/22/2022

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
• Operator of Device: Health Professional
• Device Expiration Date: 06/30/2025
• Device Model Number: J771D
• Device Catalogue Number: J771D
• Device Lot Number: QHMDMQ
• Was Device Available for Evaluation?: Device Returned to Manufacturer
• Is the Reporter a Health Professional?: No
• Type of Report(Section G): Thirty-Day
• Initial Date Received by Manufacturer: 02/13/2022
• Supplement Date Received by Manufacturer: 03/31/2022
• Initial Report FDA Received Date: 03/10/2022
• Supplement Report FDA Received Date: 04/22/2022
• Was Device Evaluated by Manufacturer? (Y/N): Yes
• Date Device Manufactured: 07/14/2020
• Is the Device Labeled for Single Use? (Y/N): Yes
• Is This a Single-Use Device that was Reprocessed and Reused on a Patient? (Y/N): No
• Usage of Device: Initial
• Patient Sequence Number: 1
• Patient Sex: Unknown