Concomitant product: merit medical inflation device, unknown model.Investigation evaluation: our laboratory evaluation of the product said to be involved confirmed the report.During a visual inspection of the returned device, it was observed that the balloon material was ruptured and a portion of it was missing.The missing portion measured approximately 1.2 cm and was not included in the return of the device.Due to the condition of the device, a functional test could not be performed.A visual inspection of the catheter showed a small bend between 130 cm and 133 cm from the distal end of the device.A product-specific discrepancy that could have caused or contributed to this observation was not observed during our laboratory analysis.The device history record for the lot number said to be involved was reviewed.A discrepancy or anomaly was not observed with the product that was released for distribution.Investigation conclusion: a definitive cause for this observation could not be determined because the actual use conditions could not be duplicated in the laboratory setting.Due to a variety of clinical conditions such as patient anatomy, endoscope position or progression of disease state, we could not reproduce the actual conditions of product usage during our laboratory analysis.This limits our ability to conclusively determine a cause.A possible cause of balloon material failure is application of inadequate lubrication to the balloon material prior to advancement.The instructions for use direct the user: "apply a lubricating agent to the balloon to facilitate passage through the endoscope accessory channel." this activity will aid in endoscopic advancement and balloon preservation.Another possible contributing factor to balloon material damage is application of inadequate negative pressure to the balloon dilator prior to advancement through the endoscope.The instructions for use direct the user: "to facilitate passage through the endoscope, apply negative pressure to the catheter." the application of negative pressure will aspirate all residual air from the balloon and ease endoscopic advancement.Negative pressure will also aid in balloon preservation and optimize balloon performance.Damage to the balloon material can occur if the balloon is inflated prior to advancement through the endoscope or if the balloon is inflated while partially or fully inside the accessory channel of the endoscope.The instructions for use contain the following precaution: ¿do not pre-inflate the balloon.¿ the instructions for use also advise the user: "maintain balloon deflation with negative pressure and introduce into the accessory channel of the endoscope, advancing in short increments until the dilator is completely visualized endoscopically." the instructions for use contain the following warning: ¿during dilation, do not inflate balloon beyond the maximum indicated inflation pressure.¿ over inflation can cause damage to the balloon dilator.Another possible contributing factor is using a compromised inflation device to inflate the balloon.If the pressure reading of the inflation device is inaccurate, this could contribute to over inflation, possibly resulting in damage to the balloon material.Prior to distribution, all hercules 3 stage balloon esophageal are subjected to a visual examination to ensure device integrity.A review of the device history record confirmed that the lot said to be involved met all manufacturing requirements prior to shipment.Corrective action: corrective action is not warranted at this time based on the quality engineering risk assessment.Quality assurance will continue to monitor for complaint trends and reassess the risk assessment results as post market feedback continues to become available.
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During an esophageal dilation procedure, the physician used a cook hercules 3 stage balloon esophageal.When trying to inflate to 20 mm, the balloon broke into multiple pieces.The pieces were able to be removed from the patient with a snare.The procedure was stopped after this point.
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