FDA Devices recall · Reported December 17, 2014
Model Number ASHA4730-01: Ambient HipVac 50 Wand with Integrated Finger Switches and Model Number ASHA5050-01: Ambient KVac Wand with Integrated Finger Switches. The Wands are indicated for the resection, ablation, and coagulation of soft tissue, and hemostasis of blood vessels in arthroscopic and orthopedic procedures.
Potential breach of sterile barrier due to defective product tray.
ArthroCare Medical Corporation recalled Model Number ASHA4730-01: Ambient HipVac 50 Wand with Integrated Finger Switches and Mode… - a moderate-severity action.
Model Number ASHA4730-01: Ambient HipVac 50 Wand with Integrated Finger Switches and Mode… was recalled by ArthroCare Medical Corporation in December 17, 2014. Reason: Potential breach of sterile barrier due to defective product tray.. Check the official notice for the remedy. Verify recall #Z-0579-2015 with the FDA Devices before acting.
The recall
ArthroCare Medical Corporation issued this moderate-severity FDA Devices recall-Potential breach of sterile barrier due to defective product tray..
- Moderate
- severity level
- 23K units
- affected scope
- Class II
- classification
- December 17, 2014
- reported
Sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Verify recall #Z-0579-2015 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
Recall Insight
This recall's affected scope, documented in the Recall Profile below, stays within a single-region or limited-distribution footprint. 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
Model Number ASHA4730-01: Ambient HipVac 50 Wand with Integrated Finger Switches and Model Number ASHA5050-01: Ambient KVac Wand with Integrated Finger Switches. The Wands are indicated for the resection, ablation, and coagulation of soft tissue, and hemostasis of blood vessels in arthroscopic and orthopedic procedures.
Reason for recall
Potential breach of sterile barrier due to defective product tray.
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Severity class | Moderate (Class II) |
| Status | Terminated |
| Recall number | Z-0579-2015 |
| Date reported | December 17, 2014 |
| Date initiated | October 27, 2014 |
| Recalling firm | ArthroCare Medical Corporation |
| Firm location | Austin, TX |
| Affected scope | 23,119 devices |
| Distribution | Worldwide Distribution-US (nationwide) and the countries of Austria, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Ireland, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland,… |
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-0579-2015) 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