FDA Devices recall · Reported March 29, 2017
PureWick External Catheter for Women-Wick Product Usage: A flexible, contoured external catheter (a Wick) is positioned between the labia and gluteus muscles. The function of the Wick is to draw urine away from the body through the Wick to a storage container away from the body through a PVC tube via a continuous, low pressure vacuum pump (PureWick DryDoc) or to a hospital wall vacuum. There is never a reversal of flow direction or static state of fluid between the device and the patient. A
PureWick is recalling external catheter for women Wicks because the labeling did not contain the phrase "This product contains dry natural rubber" and/or erroneously included the …
Purewick Corporation recalled PureWick External Catheter for Women-Wick Product Usage: A flexible, contoured exter… - a moderate-severity action.
PureWick External Catheter for Women-Wick Product Usage: A flexible, contoured exter… was recalled by Purewick Corporation in March 29, 2017. Reason: PureWick is recalling external catheter for women Wicks because the labeling did not contain the phrase "This…. Check the official notice for the remedy. Verify recall #Z-1485-2017 with the FDA Devices before acting.
The recall
Purewick Corporation issued this moderate-severity FDA Devices recall-PureWick is recalling external catheter for women Wicks because the labeling did not contain the phrase "This….
- Moderate
- severity level
- 177K units
- affected scope
- Class II
- classification
- March 29, 2017
- reported
Sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Verify recall #Z-1485-2017 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
Recall Insight
This recall's affected scope (see the Recall Profile below) is large enough to require multi-state distribution tracking. 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
PureWick External Catheter for Women-Wick Product Usage: A flexible, contoured external catheter (a Wick) is positioned between the labia and gluteus muscles. The function of the Wick is to draw urine away from the body through the Wick to a storage container away from the body through a PVC tube via a continuous, low pressure vacuum pump (PureWick DryDoc) or to a hospital wall vacuum. There is never a reversal of flow direction or static state of fluid between the device and the patient. Also, the dry natural rubber component is double wrapped with 75D polyester and it is not stretched in its application to expose bare rubber to a user. The Wick does not enter the vagina (Figure 1).
Reason for recall
PureWick is recalling external catheter for women Wicks because the labeling did not contain the phrase "This product contains dry natural rubber" and/or erroneously included the phrase "Latex-free." The white gauze component of the PureWick contains dry natural rubber.
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Severity class | Moderate (Class II) |
| Status | Terminated |
| Recall number | Z-1485-2017 |
| Date reported | March 29, 2017 |
| Date initiated | February 24, 2016 |
| Recalling firm | Purewick Corporation |
| Firm location | El Cajon, CA |
| Affected scope | 176,863 units |
| Distribution | US: Nationwide Distribution |
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-1485-2017) 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