PlainRecalls
ModerateClass IITerminated

FDA Devices recall · Reported May 15, 2013

Olympus SurgMaster UES-40 electrosurgical unit ("UES-40") Product Usage: Designed for use in a medical facility under the supervision of a trained physician. It has been designed for general (open) and endoscopic surgery including urology, gynecology, respiratory and gastroenterology in conjunction with Olympus designed electrosurgical accessories, endoscopes (fiberscopes, videoscopes and rigid scopes) applicable for electrosurgery (cutting and coagulation), light sources and other ancillary

Olympus initiated a software upgrade and enhancement in 2009 and completed the action in 2010. The upgrade and enhancement were initiated due to complaints of overheating, smoke …

Recall #
Z-1277-2013
Affected scope
608
Initiated
November 10, 2009
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
Verify with FDA Devices →
View my saved recalls

Olympus America Inc. recalled Olympus SurgMaster UES-40 electrosurgical unit ("UES-40") Product Usage: Designed for… - a moderate-severity action.

Olympus SurgMaster UES-40 electrosurgical unit ("UES-40") Product Usage: Designed for… was recalled by Olympus America Inc. in May 15, 2013. Reason: Olympus initiated a software upgrade and enhancement in 2009 and completed the action in 2010. The upgrade a…. Check the official notice for the remedy. Verify recall #Z-1277-2013 with the FDA Devices before acting.

The recall

Olympus America Inc. issued this moderate-severity FDA Devices recall-Olympus initiated a software upgrade and enhancement in 2009 and completed the action in 2010. The upgrade a….

Moderate
severity level
608 units
affected scope
Class II
classification
May 15, 2013
reported

Sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Verify recall #Z-1277-2013 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This FDA Devices action (record #Z-1277-2013) was formally reported on May 15, 2013, with the manufacturer initiating the action on November 10, 2009. It is classified under Moderate severity (Class II), with a current status of Terminated. Olympus America Inc. is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of Center Valley, PA. Federal records list the affected scope as 608.

The documented reason for this recall is: Olympus initiated a software upgrade and enhancement in 2009 and completed the action in 2010. The upgrade and enhancement were initiated due to complaints of overheating, smoke vapors and failure to operate associated… Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: Nationwide Distribution - USA Nationwide including the states of: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, W…. Distribution scope 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, 3 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 - 40,322 medical devices recalls on record

-1,00001,0002,0003,0004,000 20052008201120142017202020232026 1,248
Severity2487872426High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this recall sits in the database

Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. 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.

Severity

Moderate

Affected scope

608

Related Recalls

6

3 from same agency

Product description

Olympus SurgMaster UES-40 electrosurgical unit ("UES-40") Product Usage: Designed for use in a medical facility under the supervision of a trained physician. It has been designed for general (open) and endoscopic surgery including urology, gynecology, respiratory and gastroenterology in conjunction with Olympus designed electrosurgical accessories, endoscopes (fiberscopes, videoscopes and rigid scopes) applicable for electrosurgery (cutting and coagulation), light sources and other ancillary equipment.

Reason for recall

Olympus initiated a software upgrade and enhancement in 2009 and completed the action in 2010. The upgrade and enhancement were initiated due to complaints of overheating, smoke vapors and failure to operate associated with the Olympus SurgMaster electrosurgical unit, model UES-40 ("UES-40") when used in conjunction with the Olympus WA22557C electrode. The complaint investigations revealed that

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the FDA Devices recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Severity class Moderate (Class II)
Status Terminated
Recall number Z-1277-2013
Date reported May 15, 2013
Date initiated November 10, 2009
Recalling firm Olympus America Inc.
Firm location Center Valley, PA
Affected scope 608
Distribution Nationwide Distribution - USA Nationwide including the states of: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, and WY.

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

Scale of Impact

608 units affected - limited or regional distribution scale.

Regional (<10K units) ✓ This recall
Multi-state (10K – 100K units) -
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.

What to do with this recall

Match your product against the recall record, then act on the agency remedy.

  • Check the recall number (Z-1277-2013) 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.
  • 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
Olympus SurgMaster UES-40 electrosurgical unit ("UES-40") Product Usage: Designed for use in a medical facility under the supervision of a trained physician. It has been designed for general (open) and endoscopic surgery including urology, gynecology, respiratory and gastroenterology in conjunction with Olympus designed electrosurgical accessories, endoscopes (fiberscopes, videoscopes and rigid scopes) applicable for electrosurgery (cutting and coagulation), light sources and other ancillary equipment.. Recalled by Olympus America Inc.. Units affected: 608.
Why was this product recalled?
Olympus initiated a software upgrade and enhancement in 2009 and completed the action in 2010. The upgrade and enhancement were initiated due to complaints of overheating, smoke vapors and failure to operate associated with the Olympus SurgMaster electrosurgical unit, model UES-40 ("UES-40") when used in conjunction with the Olympus WA22557C electrode. The complaint investigations revealed that
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the FDA Devices on May 15, 2013. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: Z-1277-2013.
Where was the recalled product distributed?
Distribution: Nationwide Distribution - USA Nationwide including the states of: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, and WY..
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (Z-1277-2013) 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.

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 Rowenta Recalls Cordless Vacuum Cleaners Due to Risk of Ser… →

Browse all Medical Devices recalls →

Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: FDA Devices, reported May 15, 2013. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.