Severity
Moderate
FDA Devices recall · Reported May 15, 2013
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 …
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….
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.
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.
Where this recall sits in its category - 40,322 medical devices recalls on record
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
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.
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
| 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.
What to do with this recall
Match your product against the recall record, then act on the agency remedy.
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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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.