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Medtronic SynchroMed II, Model 8637, (The SynchroMed II Pump is supplied in 20 ml or 40 ml reservoir size.) Sterilized using ethylene oxide. The pump is part of an infusion system that stores and delivers a prescribed drug to a specific site. The implantable components of the SynchroMed II infusion system include the pump, catheter,r and catheter accessories The SynchroMed II Programmable Pump is indicated when patient therapy requires the chronic infusion of drugs or fluids:

Reported: July 3, 2013 Initiated: June 3, 2013 #Z-1579-2013 261,109 total devices estimated implanted Worldwide units

Medtronic Neuromodulation issued this FDA Devices recall on July 3, 2013. Classified as Critical severity (Class I). Approximately 261,109 total devices estimated implanted Worldwide units are affected. The recall was issued because: Medtronic Neuromodulation is providing Healthcare Providers with safety information and patient management recommendati…. 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-1579-2013) was formally reported on July 3, 2013, with the manufacturer initiating the action on June 3, 2013. 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 261,109 total devices estimated implanted Worldwide units are affected, a scale large enough to require multi-state distribution tracking.

The documented reason for this recall is: Medtronic Neuromodulation is providing Healthcare Providers with safety information and patient management recommendations related to the potential for electrical shorting internal to they SynchroMed infusion pump. An … Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: worldwide. 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 13 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

261,109 total devices estimated implanted Worldwide

Related Recalls

6

6 from same agency

Product Description

Medtronic SynchroMed II, Model 8637, (The SynchroMed II Pump is supplied in 20 ml or 40 ml reservoir size.) Sterilized using ethylene oxide. The pump is part of an infusion system that stores and delivers a prescribed drug to a specific site. The implantable components of the SynchroMed II infusion system include the pump, catheter,r and catheter accessories The SynchroMed II Programmable Pump is indicated when patient therapy requires the chronic infusion of drugs or fluids:

Reason for Recall

Medtronic Neuromodulation is providing Healthcare Providers with safety information and patient management recommendations related to the potential for electrical shorting internal to they SynchroMed infusion pump. An electrical short circuit in a feedthrough may present as a motor stall or low battery reset/alarm and lead to a loss of or reduction in therapy which may result in the return of und

Details

Recalling Firm
Medtronic Neuromodulation
Units Affected
261,109 total devices estimated implanted Worldwide
Distribution
worldwide
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-1579-2013
Date reported July 3, 2013
Date initiated June 3, 2013
Recalling firm Medtronic Neuromodulation
Units affected 261,109 total devices estimated implanted Worldwide
Distribution worldwide

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

Scale of Impact

261,109 total devices estimated implanted Worldwide units affected — multi-state distribution scale.

Regional (<10K units)
Multi-state (10K – 100K units)
Large-scale (100K – 1M units) ✓ This recall
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, Model 8637, (The SynchroMed II Pump is supplied in 20 ml or 40 ml reservoir size.) Sterilized using ethylene oxide. The pump is part of an infusion system that stores and delivers a prescribed drug to a specific site. The implantable components of the SynchroMed II infusion system include the pump, catheter,r and catheter accessories The SynchroMed II Programmable Pump is indicated when patient therapy requires the chronic infusion of drugs or fluids:. Recalled by Medtronic Neuromodulation. Units affected: 261,109 total devices estimated implanted Worldwide.
Why was this product recalled?
Medtronic Neuromodulation is providing Healthcare Providers with safety information and patient management recommendations related to the potential for electrical shorting internal to they SynchroMed infusion pump. An electrical short circuit in a feedthrough may present as a motor stall or low battery reset/alarm and lead to a loss of or reduction in therapy which may result in the return of und
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the FDA Devices on July 3, 2013. Severity: Critical. Recall number: Z-1579-2013.
Where was the recalled product distributed?
Distribution: worldwide.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (Z-1579-2013) 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.

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).