PlainRecalls

Medtronic SynchroMed II Implantable Drug Infusion System. This system includes: Model 8870 Software Application Card, Model 8840 N'Vision Clinician Programmer, and Model 8637 SynchroMed II Implantable Drug Infusion Pump (supplied in 20 ml or 40 ml reservoir size.) Product Usage: The SynchroMed II Programmable Pump is indicated when patient therapy requires the chronic infusion of the following drugs or fluids: Chronic intraspinal (epidural and intrathecal) infusion of preservative-free

Reported: March 8, 2017 Initiated: October 3, 2016 #Z-0788-2017 22,298 software cards units

Medtronic Neuromodulation issued this FDA Devices recall on March 8, 2017. Classified as Critical severity (Class I). Approximately 22,298 software cards units are affected. The recall was issued because: Medtronic is following up to a May 2013 communication regarding the Priming Bolus function for the SynchroMed Infusion …. 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-0788-2017) was formally reported on March 8, 2017, with the manufacturer initiating the action on October 3, 2016. It is classified under Critical severity (Class I), with a current status of Terminated. Medtronic Neuromodulation is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of Minneapolis, MN. Federal records indicate 22,298 software cards units are affected.

The documented reason for this recall is: Medtronic is following up to a May 2013 communication regarding the Priming Bolus function for the SynchroMed Infusion System. Medtronic is updating the Model 8870 software application card (to version AAU01) and the S… Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: Worldwide Distribution - (US Nationwide) Internationally to Germany, Greece, Australia, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Italy, Norway, France, Canada, and Malta.. 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 9 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

Severity1Class I (Critical)Class II (Moderate)Class III (Low)
Recall Distribution by Severity Class

Severity

Critical

Units Affected

22,298 software cards

Related Recalls

6

6 from same agency

Product Description

Medtronic SynchroMed II Implantable Drug Infusion System. This system includes: Model 8870 Software Application Card, Model 8840 N'Vision Clinician Programmer, and Model 8637 SynchroMed II Implantable Drug Infusion Pump (supplied in 20 ml or 40 ml reservoir size.) Product Usage: The SynchroMed II Programmable Pump is indicated when patient therapy requires the chronic infusion of the following drugs or fluids: Chronic intraspinal (epidural and intrathecal) infusion of preservative-free morphine sulfate sterile solution in the treatment of chronic intractable pain, Chronic intrathecal infusion of preservative-free ziconotide sterile solution for the management of severe chronic pain, Chronic intrathecal infusion of Lioresal Intrathecal (baclofen Injection ) in the management of serve spasticity, Chronic Intravascular Infusion of Floxuridine (FUDR) or methotrexate for the treatment of primary or metastatic cancer

Reason for Recall

Medtronic is following up to a May 2013 communication regarding the Priming Bolus function for the SynchroMed Infusion System. Medtronic is updating the Model 8870 software application card (to version AAU01) and the SynchroMed pump labeling to address the priming bolus issue.

Details

Recalling Firm
Medtronic Neuromodulation
Units Affected
22,298 software cards
Distribution
Worldwide Distribution - (US Nationwide) Internationally to Germany, Greece, Australia, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Italy, Norway, France, Canada, and Malta.
Location
Minneapolis, MN

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the FDA Devices recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Severity class Critical (Class I)
Status Terminated
Recall number Z-0788-2017
Date reported March 8, 2017
Date initiated October 3, 2016
Recalling firm Medtronic Neuromodulation
Units affected 22,298 software cards
Distribution Worldwide Distribution - (US Nationwide) Internationally to Germany, Greece, Australia, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Italy, Norway, France, Canada, and Malta.

Profile values are sourced directly from the official FDA Devices enforcement record. Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Scale of Impact

22,298 software cards units affected — limited or regional distribution scale.

Regional (<10K units)
Multi-state (10K – 100K units) ✓ This recall
Large-scale (100K – 1M units)
Massive (≥1M units)

Bracket cutoffs follow federal recall-disclosure conventions; bar widths scale linearly within each bracket. Source: PlainRecalls analysis of U.S. Food and Drug Administration filings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
Medtronic SynchroMed II Implantable Drug Infusion System. This system includes: Model 8870 Software Application Card, Model 8840 N'Vision Clinician Programmer, and Model 8637 SynchroMed II Implantable Drug Infusion Pump (supplied in 20 ml or 40 ml reservoir size.) Product Usage: The SynchroMed II Programmable Pump is indicated when patient therapy requires the chronic infusion of the following drugs or fluids: Chronic intraspinal (epidural and intrathecal) infusion of preservative-free morphine sulfate sterile solution in the treatment of chronic intractable pain, Chronic intrathecal infusion of preservative-free ziconotide sterile solution for the management of severe chronic pain, Chronic intrathecal infusion of Lioresal Intrathecal (baclofen Injection ) in the management of serve spasticity, Chronic Intravascular Infusion of Floxuridine (FUDR) or methotrexate for the treatment of primary or metastatic cancer. Recalled by Medtronic Neuromodulation. Units affected: 22,298 software cards.
Why was this product recalled?
Medtronic is following up to a May 2013 communication regarding the Priming Bolus function for the SynchroMed Infusion System. Medtronic is updating the Model 8870 software application card (to version AAU01) and the SynchroMed pump labeling to address the priming bolus issue.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the FDA Devices on March 8, 2017. Severity: Critical. Recall number: Z-0788-2017.
Where was the recalled product distributed?
Distribution: Worldwide Distribution - (US Nationwide) Internationally to Germany, Greece, Australia, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Italy, Norway, France, Canada, and Malta..
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (Z-0788-2017) 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 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 critical severity, meaning the product carries a reasonable probability of serious adverse health consequences or death. Across PlainRecalls, we track 83,000+ recalls from FDA, CPSC, and NHTSA to help consumers stay informed and act quickly when safety issues arise.

Nearby Recalls in This Category

Other recalls in the same product category — useful for spotting patterns across the same defect class or manufacturer.

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.

All federal data sources used on this page

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).