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It was reported that a patient underwent an atrial fibrillation (afib) ablation procedure with a thermocool smarttouchcatheter for which biosense webster¿s product analysis lab (pal) identified a hole on the pebax.It was initially reported by the customer that when attempting to come on ablation, the smartablate® generator immediately beeped and displayed a "catheter temperature above maximum" error message.The caller noted that the maximum temperature was set to 40 degrees on the smartablate® generator.The thermocool smarttouch¿ catheter cable connections were re-seated without resolution.The thermocool smarttouch¿ catheter was replaced and the issue was resolved.The procedure continued with no further issues.There was no patient consequence.The customer's reported high temperature issue is not considered to be mdr reportable since the potential risk that it could cause or contribute to a serious injury or death to the operator or patient is remote.On 7-apr-2026, the bwi pal revealed that a visual inspection of the returned device found a hole in the pebax and a reddish material inside the pebax.These findings were reviewed and assessed the issue of a ¿hole¿ in the pebax as an mdr reportable malfunction since the integrity of the device has been compromised.
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Device evaluation details: the device was returned to johnson & johnson medtech (j&j medtech) for evaluation.Following j&j medtech procedures, a visual inspection and temperature and impedance test of the returned device were performed.Visual inspection found a reddish material presumably blood and a hole in the surface of the pebax.The device was connected to the generator and an ablation cycle was performed and the device was found working correctly.No temperature or impedance issues were observed.A manufacturing record evaluation was performed for the finished device batch number, and no internal actions were identified.The high temperature reported by the customer was confirmed as reddish material inside the pebax could be related.The potential cause of the pebax damage could be related to the manipulation of the device during the procedure; however, this cannot be conclusively determined.The ngen generator user manual contains the following information: if an unexpected increase in temperature is observed during ablation with irrigated catheters, verify the patency of the catheter by removing it from the patient to verify that the irrigation fluid is flowing.The instructions for use (ifu) contain the following recommendations: do not scrub or twist the tip electrode because damage to the tip electrode bond may occur and loosen the tip electrode, or damage the contact force sensor and affect measurement accuracy.In addition, in order to prevent damage to the catheter tip, verify compatibility between the sheath and catheter, advance the catheter through the sheath prior to insertion.Any sheath < 8.5 f is contraindicated.As part of johnson & johnson medtech¿s quality process, all devices are manufactured, inspected, and released to approved specifications.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 biosense webster inc., or its employees that the report constitutes an admission that the product, biosense webster 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.Manufacturer's ref.(b)(4).
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