FDA Devices recall · Reported October 14, 2020
1500 Flex Heat and Moisture Exchanger, Catalog Reference 150 - Product Usage: Heat Moisture Exchangers (HM Es) are designed to enhance humification of ventilator-dependent and non-ventilator dependent patients in critical care, home care and anesthesia.
Firm has received 6 complaints that the Heat Moisture Exchanger (HME) disconnected from the closed respiratory circuit during use. If the HME separates, the ventilator circuit may…
Ab Ulax recalled 1500 Flex Heat and Moisture Exchanger, Catalog Reference 150 - Product Usage: Heat Moist… - a moderate-severity action.
1500 Flex Heat and Moisture Exchanger, Catalog Reference 150 - Product Usage: Heat Moist… was recalled by Ab Ulax in October 14, 2020. Reason: Firm has received 6 complaints that the Heat Moisture Exchanger (HME) disconnected from the closed respirator…. Check the official notice for the remedy. Verify recall #Z-0059-2021 with the FDA Devices before acting.
The recall
Ab Ulax issued this moderate-severity FDA Devices recall-Firm has received 6 complaints that the Heat Moisture Exchanger (HME) disconnected from the closed respirator….
- Moderate
- severity level
- 1.5M units
- affected scope
- Class II
- classification
- October 14, 2020
- reported
Sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Verify recall #Z-0059-2021 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
Recall Insight
This recall's affected scope (see the Recall Profile below) places it in the million-unit bracket that typically triggers nationwide consumer alerts and retailer sweeps. Distribution scope (see Distribution below) directly affects the consumer exposure window and determines whether a recall remains regional or escalates into a nationwide advisory.
Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 6 from FDA Devices - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.
Medical Devices recalls over time
Where this recall sits in its category - 41,021 medical devices recalls on record
Of 88,244 recalls with an agency hazard classification, 19,068 are high severity, 64,652 moderate, and 4,524 low. A further 16,179 CPSC/NHTSA recalls have no agency class and are excluded from this split. This recall is classified moderate severity.
Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.
Product description
1500 Flex Heat and Moisture Exchanger, Catalog Reference 150 - Product Usage: Heat Moisture Exchangers (HM Es) are designed to enhance humification of ventilator-dependent and non-ventilator dependent patients in critical care, home care and anesthesia.
Reason for recall
Firm has received 6 complaints that the Heat Moisture Exchanger (HME) disconnected from the closed respiratory circuit during use. If the HME separates, the ventilator circuit may not provide adequate ventilation to the patient, potentially resulting in lack of oxygen leading to hypoxia or death.
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Severity class | Moderate (Class II) |
| Status | Terminated |
| Recall number | Z-0059-2021 |
| Date reported | October 14, 2020 |
| Date initiated | September 4, 2020 |
| Recalling firm | Ab Ulax |
| Firm location | Motala, N/A |
| Affected scope | 1,484,100 units |
| Distribution | Worldwide distribution - US Nationwide distribution and the countries of Sweden, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Spain. |
Profile values are sourced directly from the official FDA Devices enforcement record. Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
What to do with this recall
Match your product against the recall record, then act on the agency remedy.
- Check the recall number (Z-0059-2021) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
- Confirm the current status with FDA Devices before acting, recall details can be updated.
- Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next
This page summarizes the official FDA Devices record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.
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Nationwide recalls with similar severity or category timing
Drug and device notices outside this firm and state, matched by severity timing and product category.
Similar severity · nearest report date
Same archive severity grade (Moderate), closest by report date among other firms and states.
Similar Medical Devices · nearest report date
Same product category, closest by report date among other firms and states (deduped against the severity set).
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Methodology · Corrections · Archive as of August 2026