Severity
Moderate
A20975A "Working insert, with ramp, one way" (Lots 13ZW to 172W; A20976A "Bridge, one way" (Lots 146W to 172W) and A20977A "Bridge, two way" (Lots 146W to 174W) Product Usage: A20975A: Working insert for endoscopic diagnosis and treatment in urologic applications. A20976A: Bridge for endoscopic diagnosis and treatment in urologic applications. A20977A: Bridge for endoscopic diagnosis and treatment in urologic applications.
Reported: March 7, 2018 Initiated: August 18, 2017 #Z-0696-2018 8741 units
Olympus Corporation of the Americas issued this FDA Devices recall on March 7, 2018. Classified as Moderate severity (Class II). Approximately 8741 units are affected. The recall was issued because: Olympus has received complaints about fragments of adhesive which detached from inside the working channel of the refer…. This recall notice is sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Below you will find the complete product description, hazard information, remedy instructions, and related recalls from the same manufacturer or product category.
Recall Insight
This FDA Devices action (record #Z-0696-2018) was formally reported on March 7, 2018, with the manufacturer initiating the action on August 18, 2017. It is classified under Moderate severity (Class II), with a current status of Terminated. Olympus Corporation of the Americas is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of Center Valley, PA. Federal records indicate 8741 units are affected.
The documented reason for this recall is: Olympus has received complaints about fragments of adhesive which detached from inside the working channel of the referenced products. Cracking, chipping, missing pieces, and delamination of the adhesive have also been … Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: US Nationwide Distribution. 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 8 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.
Recall Distribution by Severity Class
Units Affected
8741
Related Recalls
6
6 from same agency
Recall Progress (industry avg ~60%) 60.0%
Product Description
A20975A "Working insert, with ramp, one way" (Lots 13ZW to 172W; A20976A "Bridge, one way" (Lots 146W to 172W) and A20977A "Bridge, two way" (Lots 146W to 174W) Product Usage: A20975A: Working insert for endoscopic diagnosis and treatment in urologic applications. A20976A: Bridge for endoscopic diagnosis and treatment in urologic applications. A20977A: Bridge for endoscopic diagnosis and treatment in urologic applications.
Reason for Recall
Olympus has received complaints about fragments of adhesive which detached from inside the working channel of the referenced products. Cracking, chipping, missing pieces, and delamination of the adhesive have also been reported. In one case, a fragment of the adhesive was detected inside a patient's urethra during a procedure and was retrieved without injury to the patient. The manufacturer, Olympus Winter & lbe GmbH ("OWi") has determined that adhesive can be dislodged during the intended use of the cystoscopy bridge or working insert, e.g., when inserting an instrument through the working channel. As a result, a fragment of the adhesive may fall inside the patient's bladder, urethra or uterus and would need to be retrieved, extending the length of the procedure or requiring additional surgical treatment. The adhesive is used to seal gaps inside the working channel of the cystoscopy bridges and working inserts. In 2013, the adhesive used until then was discontinued and had to be replaced. Current investigations revealed that the durability of the new adhesive is insufficient
Details
- Recalling Firm
- Olympus Corporation of the Americas
- Units Affected
- 8741
- Distribution
- US Nationwide Distribution
- Location
- Center Valley, PA
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Severity class | Moderate (Class II) |
| Status | Terminated |
| Recall number | Z-0696-2018 |
| Date reported | March 7, 2018 |
| Date initiated | August 18, 2017 |
| Recalling firm | Olympus Corporation of the Americas |
| Units affected | 8741 |
| Distribution | US Nationwide Distribution |
Profile values are sourced directly from the official FDA Devices enforcement record. Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What product was recalled? ▼
A20975A "Working insert, with ramp, one way" (Lots 13ZW to 172W; A20976A "Bridge, one way" (Lots 146W to 172W) and A20977A "Bridge, two way" (Lots 146W to 174W) Product Usage: A20975A: Working insert for endoscopic diagnosis and treatment in urologic applications. A20976A: Bridge for endoscopic diagnosis and treatment in urologic applications. A20977A: Bridge for endoscopic diagnosis and treatment in urologic applications.. Recalled by Olympus Corporation of the Americas. Units affected: 8741.
Why was this product recalled? ▼
Olympus has received complaints about fragments of adhesive which detached from inside the working channel of the referenced products. Cracking, chipping, missing pieces, and delamination of the adhesive have also been reported. In one case, a fragment of the adhesive was detected inside a patient's urethra during a procedure and was retrieved without injury to the patient. The manufacturer, Olympus Winter & lbe GmbH ("OWi") has determined that adhesive can be dislodged during the intended use of the cystoscopy bridge or working insert, e.g., when inserting an instrument through the working channel. As a result, a fragment of the adhesive may fall inside the patient's bladder, urethra or uterus and would need to be retrieved, extending the length of the procedure or requiring additional surgical treatment. The adhesive is used to seal gaps inside the working channel of the cystoscopy bridges and working inserts. In 2013, the adhesive used until then was discontinued and had to be replaced. Current investigations revealed that the durability of the new adhesive is insufficient
Which agency issued this recall? ▼
This recall was issued by the FDA Devices on March 7, 2018. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: Z-0696-2018.
Where was the recalled product distributed? ▼
Distribution: US Nationwide Distribution.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall? ▼
Check the product description and recall number (Z-0696-2018) against your product. Visit the official FDA Devices website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
Should I stop using a recalled medication or medical device? ▼
Do not stop using a recalled medication or device without consulting your healthcare provider first, as abruptly discontinuing treatment could pose its own health risks. Your doctor can advise on alternatives or whether the recall applies to your specific product lot. Check the recall number and lot information against your product packaging.
Recall Guides
Learn how the US recall system works and how to protect yourself and your household.
How the US Recall System Works
The three federal agencies, how recalls are initiated, and what happens next.
Understanding Recall Severity Classes
What Class I, II, and III mean and which recalls demand immediate action.
What to Do When a Product Is Recalled
Verify, claim your remedy, report injuries, and navigate the process.
How to Check If Your Products Are Recalled
Step-by-step guide to checking food, products, medications, and vehicles.
Recalled Products in Your Home
A room-by-room household audit guide for active recalls.
Most Recalled Product Categories
Rankings of highest-recall categories from FDA, CPSC, and NHTSA.
Recall Context
Product recalls are issued when a manufacturer, distributor, or federal agency determines that a product poses a safety risk to consumers. This recall is classified as moderate severity, indicating the product may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences. Across PlainRecalls, we track 83,000+ recalls from FDA, CPSC, and NHTSA to help consumers stay informed and act quickly when safety issues arise.
Related Safety Data
Explore related product safety and public health data from federal sources.
Food Safety Inspections
FDA and state food facility inspection results — violations, enforcement actions, and compliance history for food manufacturers and processors.
PlainFoodSafe →
Ingredient Safety Data
FDA food additive and ingredient safety database — regulatory status, usage limits, and safety assessments for thousands of ingredients.
PlainIngredients →
Nutrition Data
USDA nutrition facts for 2M+ food items — calories, macros, vitamins, and ingredient analysis to verify what you consume.
GetFoodFacts →
Drug Safety Information
FDA drug data for 680+ medications — interactions, alternatives, side effects, and safety information for recalled and active drugs.
PlainMeds →
Product Injury Data
CPSC emergency room injury data for 838 product categories — 7.3M NEISS records tracking real-world consumer product injuries.
PlainSafety →
Recall Checker
Search our database of 83K+ recalls by product name, brand, or recall number across all agencies.
Check Now →
Recall Radar
Live feed of the latest recalls across FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, and USDA — filter by agency and severity.
View Radar →
Nearby Recalls in This Category
Other recalls in the same product category — useful for spotting patterns across the same defect class or manufacturer.
FDA Devices Moderate
Endo-Model Replacement Plateau; Item Number: 15-0027/11;
Waldemar Link GmbH & Co. KG (Mfg Site) · 2026-03-18
FDA Devices Low
Penner Pacific Bathing Spa, Model Numbers 360020-1P
Penner Patient Care, Inc. · 2026-03-18
FDA Devices Moderate
GEM Premier 5000 PAK, Part No. 00055360004.
Instrumentation Laboratory · 2026-03-18
FDA Devices Moderate
CHEMISTRY ANALYZER AU5800, REF: B96697, B96698, B23279, B23280, B23281
Beckman Coulter Mishima K.K. · 2026-03-18
FDA Devices Critical
Owner's Booklets and Instructions for Use that are used with the following blood glucose measurement devices. Descript…
Trividia Health, Inc. · 2026-03-18
Compare this recall with Endo-Model Replacement Plateau; Item Number: 15-0027/11; →
Data Sources
Data as of 2025. Source: FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS federal recall databases.
- Source: FDA — Food and Drug Administration, openFDA Enforcement API (food, drug, and medical device recalls)
- Source: CPSC — Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls API (consumer product recalls and hazards)
- Source: NHTSA — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recalls API (vehicle safety recalls)
- Source: USDA FSIS — Food Safety and Inspection Service (meat, poultry, and egg product recalls)
Recall information is sourced from official federal agency databases. Always verify recall details with the issuing agency for the most current status. This information is for research and awareness purposes only.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS — demographic + housing + income data. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — wage + employment by occupation. bls.gov/oes
- BEA Regional Economic Accounts — GDP + personal income by state/metro. bea.gov/data/regional
- U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns — establishment + employment by industry. census.gov/cbp
- IRS Statistics of Income (SOI) — tax-return aggregate data. irs.gov/statistics
- data.gov — U.S. federal open-data portal — discovery layer for additional federal sources. data.gov
Source: Federal recall agencies (FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS) Aggregated multi-agency recall feeds · 2024 Recall data normalized across federal agency feeds; severity classifications follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS).