Which Philips DreamStation CPAP Machines Are Being Recalled in 2021?

Philips Recalls Sleep Apnea and Ventilator Machines Due to Toxic, Cancerous Gas Release

Philips DreamStation CPAP Machine Recalls

Philips, a Dutch medical equipment company, announced a massive recall of over 3.4 million CPAP and ventilator machines. According to Philips’ recall announcement, some of its ventilators and sleep apnea machines pose a serious health risk to users. The recall stated that Philips manufactured some of the breathing devices, and ventilators were manufactured with a foam part that can degrade and produce small particles that can irritate the user’s airway. In addition, gases discharged by the degrading foam part are toxic and might cause cancer. The foam part is designed to dampen the sound of the breathing machines.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with throat, lung, or any other cancer and has used a ventilator, CPAP, or Bi-level PAP machine, contact us at 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529) for your free case review.

Why is there a recall of Philips CPAP sleep apnea machines?

Philips’ Chief Executive Frans van Houten stated that the company is one of the largest manufacturers of ventilators and CPAP sleep apnea machines. Mr. van Houten stated that there would be between 3 million and 4 million targeted in the recall.

Philips took a 250 million euro ($303 million) assessment for the matter after declaring an identical provision in the company’s first quarter-earnings report back in April, bringing the total cost of the recall to 500 million euros ($606 million).

According to Van Houten in an investor call, the company is going to focus entirely on repairing and replacing the recalled units, and the process would take one year to complete. He also said that there would be a shortage in the marketplace while the company is unable to serve new customers.

Company spokesman Steve Klink stated that approximately 80% of the affected machines, known as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines, treat people suffering from sleep apnea. Patients have been urged to discontinue the use of the recalled breathing machines. Approximately two-thirds of Philips’ CPAP and Bi-level PAP machine sales were in the United States.

The remaining 20% of the recalled devices were ventilators. Physicians should weight the safety risks before placing patients on the recalled ventilators, the company said.

Philips stated in the recall announcement that it was working with government health officials to find a safe replacement for the sound deadening foam. However, any solution will be required to clear testing and regulatory hurdles before implementation.

Who May Be Affected By These Products?

The recall notice says that patients who suffer with sleep apnea are at risk of owning one of the recalled CPAP or Bi-level PAP machines. In addition, patients who are put on a ventilator to assist with breathing due to health issues could have been placed on a recalled ventilator. According to our law firm’s research, approximately 50,000 New York 9/11 first responders, workers, and residents workers are using these types of breathing devices.

Which Philips CPAPs, Bi-Level PAPs, and Ventilators Are Being Recalled in 2021?

According to Philips’ recall notice, the following breathing machine products are being recalled. Some units listed below were available only in other countries.

The Recalled Devices Include the Following – All Units Manufactured Before 26 April 2021 and All Device Serial Numbers:

Philips’ Noncontinuous Ventilators:

1. SystemOne (Q-Series)
2. DreamStation
3. DreamStation Go Dorma 400
4. Dorma 500 REMstar SE Auto

Philips’ Continuous Ventilators:

1. Trilogy 100
2. Trilogy 200
3. Garbin Plus, Aeris, LifeVent

Philips’ Continuous Ventilator, Minimum Ventilatory Support, Facility Use:

1. A-Series BiPAP Hybrid A30 (not marketed in the US)
2. A-Series BiPAP V30 Auto

Philips’ Continuous Ventilator, Non-life Supporting:

1. A-Series BiPAP A40 (not marketed in the US)
2. A-Series BiPAP A30 (not marketed in the US)