FDA Devices recall · Reported June 26, 2013
GlideScope Video Laryngoscope (GVL) 3, 4, 5 and GlideScope (AVL) 2, 3, 4 and 5 reusable blades Product Usage: The GlideScope Video Laryngoscopes are intended for use by qualified medical professionals to obtain a clear, unobstructed view of the vocal cords for medical procedures. The GlideScope Video Laryngoscopes system should only be used by individuals who have been trained and authorized by a physician or the institution providing patient care. The device is not life sustaining or life
Verathon GlideScope Reusable GVL and AVL Blades are being recalled due to the potential risk of premature failure/breakage of the blade tip that may not be readily visible during …
Verathon, Inc. recalled GlideScope Video Laryngoscope (GVL) 3, 4, 5 and GlideScope (AVL) 2, 3, 4 and 5 reusable … - a critical-severity action.
GlideScope Video Laryngoscope (GVL) 3, 4, 5 and GlideScope (AVL) 2, 3, 4 and 5 reusable … was recalled by Verathon, Inc. in June 26, 2013. Reason: Verathon GlideScope Reusable GVL and AVL Blades are being recalled due to the potential risk of premature fai…. Check the official notice for the remedy. Verify recall #Z-1558-2013 with the FDA Devices before acting.
The recall
Verathon, Inc. issued this critical-severity FDA Devices recall-Verathon GlideScope Reusable GVL and AVL Blades are being recalled due to the potential risk of premature fai….
- Critical
- severity level
- 5K units
- affected scope
- Class I
- classification
- June 26, 2013
- reported
Sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Verify recall #Z-1558-2013 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
Recall Insight
This recall's affected scope, documented in the Recall Profile below, stays within a single-region or limited-distribution footprint. 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 high severity.
Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.
Product description
GlideScope Video Laryngoscope (GVL) 3, 4, 5 and GlideScope (AVL) 2, 3, 4 and 5 reusable blades Product Usage: The GlideScope Video Laryngoscopes are intended for use by qualified medical professionals to obtain a clear, unobstructed view of the vocal cords for medical procedures. The GlideScope Video Laryngoscopes system should only be used by individuals who have been trained and authorized by a physician or the institution providing patient care. The device is not life sustaining or life supporting. The GlideScope AVL Video Monitor system has the same intended use as the GVL System. The difference between systems is that the AVL has a digital platform and the GVL an analog platform.
Reason for recall
Verathon GlideScope Reusable GVL and AVL Blades are being recalled due to the potential risk of premature failure/breakage of the blade tip that may not be readily visible during routine inspection before or after intubation.
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Severity class | Critical (Class I) |
| Status | Terminated |
| Recall number | Z-1558-2013 |
| Date reported | June 26, 2013 |
| Date initiated | May 8, 2013 |
| Recalling firm | Verathon, Inc. |
| Firm location | Bothell, WA |
| Affected scope | 4784 units worldwide (3,381 in the US and 1403 international) |
| Distribution | Worldwide distribution: USA (nationwide) including states of : AK, AL, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA… |
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-1558-2013) 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.
- This is a Class I (high-risk) recall, stop using the product immediately and follow the disposal or return instructions. 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 (Critical), 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