Were you injured by Covidien PLC’s Duet TRS single-use cartridge, a device used in medical staplers, during thoracic surgery? In January 2012, Covidien recalled all Duet TRS single use cartidges intended for use in patients’ chest cavities after 3 people died and another 13 were seriously injured by the device. The recall involved eight models of Duet TRS Universal Straight and Articulating Single Use Loading Units:
- DUET TRS 45 3.5MM STRAIGHT SULU
- DUET TRS 45 3.5MM ARTICULATING SULU
- DUET TRS 45 4.8MM STRAIGHT SULU
- DUET TRS 45 4.8MM ARTICULATING SULU
- DUET TRS 60 3.5MM STRAIGHT SULU
- DUET TRS 60 3.5MM ARTICULATING SULU
- DUET TRS 60 4.8MM STRAIGHT SULU
- DUET TRS 60 4.8MM ARTICULATING SULU
Lawyers at Parker Waichman LLP are currently investigating potential legal claims on behalf of victims of this defective medical device. If you were injured by a recalled Duet TRS cartridge during thoracic surgery, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our Duet TRS injury lawyers are offering free lawsuit consultations to anyone injured by this product. If you were the victim of a Duet TRS injury, please contact Parker Waichman LLP today to protect your legal rights.
Covidien Duet TRS Recall
Covidien’s Duet TRS cartridges are tissue reinforcement devices used with Covidien’s Endo GIA Universal range of laproscopic staplers. According to the company, about 500,000 of the single-use Duet TRS devices have been sold worldwide since January 2009. The FDA approved the Duet TRS products via its 510(k) clearance process. A “fast track” process, 510(k) approvals do not require human testing if a device is shown to be “substantially equivalent” to a product on the market.
In January 2012, Covidien announced it was recalling Duet TRS single-use cartridges planned for use in thoracic surgery. The company warned that the recalled devices should no longer be used in thoracic surgery, and placed a hold on its Duet TRS inventory globally to allow for relabeling with new instructions for use. Additionally, it provided information to its customers on alternative tissue reinforcement products that may be used in conjunction with Covidien endoscopic staplers for thoracic surgery.
The thoracic, or chest, cavity is enclosed by the ribs, the vertebral column and the sternum. It contains the lungs and the heart. According to the Duet TRS recall notice, 3 people died and another 13 where injured when the Duet TRS cartridges were used in thoracic surgery. “The company has concluded that Duet TRS has the potential to injure adjacent anatomical structures within the thorax, which may result in life-threatening, post-operative complications,” Covidien’s recall notice said.
Legal Help for Victims of Duet TRS Lawsuit?
If you or a loved one suffered a Duet TRS injury during thoracic surgery, you may have valuable legal rights. For a free legal evaluation of your case, please contact one of our Duet TRS injury lawyers by filling out our online form, or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529) today.
