—#85708

Product

GEMINI PET/CT Systems Upper Patient Pallet for the GEMINI GXL, 16 Slice and 6 Slice scanning device configurations. Model Numbers: 4535-679-71891 and 4535-6797591, 510(k) #K051170.

FDA product code: JAK — System, X-Ray, Tomography, Computed
Device class: Class 2
Medical specialty: Radiology
510(k) numbers: K051170
Affected lot / code info: Catalog Numbers: 882390 and 882410; Model Numbers: 4535 679 75691 and 4535 679 71891; and Serial Numbers: 4190 and 4191.

Why it was recalled

Upper patient pallet component of the recalling firm's Gemini PET/CT system may be thinner than normally required, which may reduce the product's load bearing capacity, resulting in cracking under less than the designed full-load weight.

Root cause (FDA determination)

Process change control

Action the firm took

The firm notified customers with an "URGENT - Field Safety Notice" which was sent to the user/customers via FedEx on 1/26/2009. The letter informs customers of this potential safety hazard; the actions to be taken by the user/customer in order to mitigate risk to patients while undergoing scans; and the actions planned by Philips Medical's Service Engineers in order to correct the problem. The notification refers the user/customers to the applicable sections of their Systems Operations and Systems Information Manuals for a review on procedures for safely loading; unloading; and monitoring patients before, during, and after scanning studies. The notice goes on to inform the customers that replacement parts for the upper patient pallet(s) are on order and that a Philips Healthcare Field Service Engineer will be visiting each customer site within two (2) months in order to replace each affected pallet. Lastly, the notification provides a toll-free telephone number and instructions which the customer can use to contact a local Philips representative if additional information, or assistance is required. The firm's Customer Care Center contact is 1-800-722-9377, option 5: Diagnostic Imaging, option 5: Radiation Therapy, option 3: Oncology.

Recalling firm

Firm: Philips Medical Systems (Cleveland) Inc
Address: 595 Miner Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44143-2131

Distribution

Distribution pattern: The recalled products were distributed to customers in the following states within the U. S.: OH, GA, MI, and CA and to customers overseas in: Germany, France Japan, and South Korea.

Timeline

Recall initiated: 2009-01-26
Posted by FDA: 2009-11-13
Terminated: 2009-11-24
Status: —

Source: openFDA Device Recall endpoint. Recall record ID #85708. The FDA issues recall classifications as health-hazard assessments, not legal findings; for legal claims consult a licensed attorney.