Merlin@home Transmitter REF EX1100 The Merlin@home" (M@h) transmitter is intended to transfer stored data from the patient s implanted heart device to Merlin.net" Patient Care Network (PCN) to facilitate remote monitoring by using inductive (EX1100 Model) or RF telemetry (EX1150 Model) to read device data and transmitting to the Merlin.net PCN server.

Recall Insight

This FDA Devices action (record #Z-0551-2025) was formally reported on December 4, 2024, with the manufacturer initiating the action on October 1, 2024. It is classified under Low severity (Class III), with a current status of Ongoing. Abbott Medical is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of Sylmar, CA. Federal records indicate 130 transmitters units are affected.

The documented reason for this recall is: Due to heart transmitter not being able to upgrade to the current software version in the field after experiencing a power interruption during a prior over-the-wire software download. Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: Worldwide - U.S. Nationwide distribution in the states of ALABAMA, ALASKA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MICHIGAN, MISSISSIPPI, MISSOUR…. Distribution scope directly affects the consumer exposure window and determines whether a recall remains regional or escalates into a nationwide advisory.

To put this record in context, PlainRecalls indexes 83,949 recalls across the FDA, CPSC, NHTSA and USDA FSIS going back to 1995. Within the same product category, the database holds 6 closely related recalls, of which 6 were also issued by FDA Devices. That clustering is a signal — repeated actions in a narrow category often indicate a systemic quality-control issue, a supplier-wide contamination, or a design defect that has propagated across product lines. This recall is roughly 2 years old; older recalls can remain relevant because many units enter resale, rental, and secondary-market channels where the original warning never reaches the end user. Always cross-check the recall number against the official agency page before relying on any summary.