More Recalls and Lawsuits on the Horizon for da Vinci Surgical Robots

 Posted on February 11,2014 in FDA

At the end of 2013, the FDA announced even more Class II recalls for components making up the da Vinci surgical robot system. The robots have already been in the news for numerous errors and concerns shared by patients who have undergone surgeries using these machines. If you have already been injured as a result of a da Vinci surgical robot, you need legal advice from an Illinois defective medical device attorney.

Intuitive Surgical Inc., the developer of the da Vinci robot creator, has been the focus of more than 70 products liability cases involving their product. Their product liability insurance carrier, Illinois Union Insurance Co., is now trying to deny their coverage responsibility on claims that the robot makers concealed the risks and safety concerns associated with the robots.

The latest round of problems with the da Vinci system involves the arms of the instrument, which could suddenly become stuck as a result of friction errors in the machine. Since the arms are such a crucial component of the robots, this can lead to dangerous mistakes in the operating room, one example of which is inaccurate cuts. Previous FDA recalls focused on needle drivers that helped to guide the instruments which were capable of becoming detached mid-operation.

Very little research has probed into the problems with surgical robots. The FDA announced a recent study of physicians, many of whom reported issues with the operation of the robot. Only eleven physicians were surveyed, however, so it's clear that more research is needed to understand the real impact of these defective medical devices.

If you have experienced complications or other problems with your da Vinci robot surgery, you need to consult with an attorney about your case. Contact an Illinois personal injury attorney today to discuss the impacts of your defective medical device injury.