Severity
Moderate
FDA Devices recall · Reported November 25, 2015
Complaints of holes in Tyvek which can compromise the sterile barrier provided by the packaging.
Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc recalled HARMONIC ACE+ 7 Laparoscopic Shears with Advanced Hemostasis (23cm, 36cm, 45cm length), E… - a moderate-severity action.
HARMONIC ACE+ 7 Laparoscopic Shears with Advanced Hemostasis (23cm, 36cm, 45cm length), E… was recalled by Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc in November 25, 2015. Reason: Complaints of holes in Tyvek which can compromise the sterile barrier provided by the packaging.. Check the official notice for the remedy. Verify recall #Z-0278-2016 with the FDA Devices before acting.
The recall
Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc issued this moderate-severity FDA Devices recall-Complaints of holes in Tyvek which can compromise the sterile barrier provided by the packaging..
Sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Verify recall #Z-0278-2016 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
This FDA Devices action (record #Z-0278-2016) was formally reported on November 25, 2015, with the manufacturer initiating the action on September 23, 2015. It is classified under Moderate severity (Class II), with a current status of Terminated. Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of Blue Ash, OH. Federal records list the affected scope as 441,490 pieces.
The documented reason for this recall is: Complaints of holes in Tyvek which can compromise the sterile barrier provided by the packaging. Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: Distributed US (nationwide) including the District of Columbia & Puerto Rico and in the countries of ARUBA, AUSTRALIA, BELGIUM, BRAZIL, CANADA, CHILE, CHINA, COLOMBIA, ECUADOR, HONG KONG, INDIA, JAPAN, KOREA, MALAYSIA, …. Distribution scope 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, 3 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.
Where this recall sits in its category - 40,322 medical devices recalls on record
Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. 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.
Severity
Moderate
Affected scope
441,490 pieces
Related Recalls
6
3 from same agency
HARMONIC ACE+ 7 Laparoscopic Shears with Advanced Hemostasis (23cm, 36cm, 45cm length), Ethicon Endo-Surgery. Indicated for soft tissue incisions when bleeding control and minimal thermal injury are desired.
Complaints of holes in Tyvek which can compromise the sterile barrier provided by the packaging.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Severity class | Moderate (Class II) |
| Status | Terminated |
| Recall number | Z-0278-2016 |
| Date reported | November 25, 2015 |
| Date initiated | September 23, 2015 |
| Recalling firm | Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc |
| Firm location | Blue Ash, OH |
| Affected scope | 441,490 pieces |
| Distribution | Distributed US (nationwide) including the District of Columbia & Puerto Rico and in the countries of ARUBA, AUSTRALIA, BELGIUM, BRAZIL, CANADA, CHILE, CHINA, COLOMBIA, ECUADOR, HONG KONG, INDIA, JAPAN, KOREA, MALAYSIA, MEXICO, PANAMA, PERU… |
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.
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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Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: FDA Devices, reported November 25, 2015. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.