FDA Devices recall · Reported December 19, 2012
Medtronic SynchroMed II, Model 8637, (The SynchroMed¿ II Pump is supplied in 20 ml or 40 ml reservoir size.) Sterilized using ethylene oxide. The pump is part of an infusion system that stores and delivers a prescribed drug to a specific site. The implantable components of the SynchroMed II Infusion System include the pump, catheter, and catheter accessories.
Medtronic notified Healthcare Professionals of the impact of unapproved drugs on the performance of the SynchroMed infusion pump system. Use of unapproved drugs with SynchroMed p…
Medtronic Neuromodulation recalled Medtronic SynchroMed II, Model 8637, (The SynchroMed¿ II Pump is supplied in 20 ml or 40 … - a critical-severity action.
Medtronic SynchroMed II, Model 8637, (The SynchroMed¿ II Pump is supplied in 20 ml or 40 … was recalled by Medtronic Neuromodulation in December 19, 2012. Reason: Medtronic notified Healthcare Professionals of the impact of unapproved drugs on the performance of the Synch…. Check the official notice for the remedy. Verify recall #Z-0497-2013 with the FDA Devices before acting.
The recall
Medtronic Neuromodulation issued this critical-severity FDA Devices recall-Medtronic notified Healthcare Professionals of the impact of unapproved drugs on the performance of the Synch….
- Critical
- severity level
- 175K units
- affected scope
- Class I
- classification
- December 19, 2012
- reported
Sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Verify recall #Z-0497-2013 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) is large enough to require multi-state distribution tracking. 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 high severity.
Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.
Product description
Medtronic SynchroMed II, Model 8637, (The SynchroMed¿ II Pump is supplied in 20 ml or 40 ml reservoir size.) Sterilized using ethylene oxide. The pump is part of an infusion system that stores and delivers a prescribed drug to a specific site. The implantable components of the SynchroMed II Infusion System include the pump, catheter, and catheter accessories.
Reason for recall
Medtronic notified Healthcare Professionals of the impact of unapproved drugs on the performance of the SynchroMed infusion pump system. Use of unapproved drugs with SynchroMed pumps can result in an increased risk of permanent motor stall and cessation of drug infusion. UPDATE 2/1/2016: Medtronic received approval to incorporate enhancements to the SynchroMed II pump which decreases the potential for internal electrical shorting and motor corrosion, and is retrieving any unused pumps.
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Severity class | Critical (Class I) |
| Status | Terminated |
| Recall number | Z-0497-2013 |
| Date reported | December 19, 2012 |
| Date initiated | November 9, 2012 |
| Recalling firm | Medtronic Neuromodulation |
| Firm location | Minneapolis, MN |
| Affected scope | 174,700 devices total |
| Distribution | Worldwide distribution: USA (nationwide) and countries including: Canada and Mexico. |
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-0497-2013) 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.
- This is a Class I (high-risk) recall, stop using the product immediately and follow the disposal or return instructions. 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 (Critical), 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