PlainRecalls
ModerateClass IITerminated

FDA Devices recall · Reported April 22, 2020

Merlin PCS 3650 Software Upgrade Kit, REF 3330 St. Jude Medical The MerlinTM Patient Care System (MerlinTM PCS) Model 3650 is a portable, dedicated programming system designed to interrogate, program, display data, and test St. Jude MedicalTM implantable devices and leads.

Internal testing of software identified software anomaly scenarios where if non-applicable shock energy value is selected, the device will continue to use the previously programme…

Recall #
Z-1700-2020
Affected scope
Software Version 24.6.1 installed into 4733 programmers
Initiated
February 28, 2020
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The recall

Abbott issued this moderate-severity FDA Devices recall — Internal testing of software identified software anomaly scenarios where if non-applicable shock energy value….

Moderate
severity level
Class II
classification
April 22, 2020
reported

Sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Verify recall #Z-1700-2020 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This FDA Devices action (record #Z-1700-2020) was formally reported on April 22, 2020, with the manufacturer initiating the action on February 28, 2020. It is classified under Moderate severity (Class II), with a current status of Terminated. Abbott is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of Sylmar, CA. Federal records list the affected scope as Software Version 24.6.1 installed into 4733 programmers.

The documented reason for this recall is: Internal testing of software identified software anomaly scenarios where if non-applicable shock energy value is selected, the device will continue to use the previously programmed energy level and the user will not be … Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: U.S. AK, Al, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, and WV. OUS: None - the firm stated that there are no …. 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, 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 — 40,409 medical devices recalls on record

-1,00001,0002,0003,0004,0005,000 20052008201120142017202020232026 1,243

Where this recall sits in the database

Severity2366872097High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this recall sits in the database

Of 100,165 recalls in the database, 23,668 are high severity, 72,097 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.

Severity

Moderate

Affected scope

Software Version 24.6.1 installed into 4733 programmers

Related Recalls

6

6 from same agency

Product description

Merlin PCS 3650 Software Upgrade Kit, REF 3330 St. Jude Medical The MerlinTM Patient Care System (MerlinTM PCS) Model 3650 is a portable, dedicated programming system designed to interrogate, program, display data, and test St. Jude MedicalTM implantable devices and leads.

Reason for recall

Internal testing of software identified software anomaly scenarios where if non-applicable shock energy value is selected, the device will continue to use the previously programmed energy level and the user will not be alerted that the selected value was not retained.

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-1700-2020
Date reported April 22, 2020
Date initiated February 28, 2020
Recalling firm Abbott
Firm location Sylmar, CA
Affected scope Software Version 24.6.1 installed into 4733 programmers
Distribution U.S. AK, Al, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, and WV. OUS: None - the firm stated that there are no OUS consignees assoc…

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-1700-2020) 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?
Merlin PCS 3650 Software Upgrade Kit, REF 3330 St. Jude Medical The MerlinTM Patient Care System (MerlinTM PCS) Model 3650 is a portable, dedicated programming system designed to interrogate, program, display data, and test St. Jude MedicalTM implantable devices and leads.. Recalled by Abbott. Units affected: Software Version 24.6.1 installed into 4733 programmers.
Why was this product recalled?
Internal testing of software identified software anomaly scenarios where if non-applicable shock energy value is selected, the device will continue to use the previously programmed energy level and the user will not be alerted that the selected value was not retained.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the FDA Devices on April 22, 2020. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: Z-1700-2020.
Where was the recalled product distributed?
Distribution: U.S. AK, Al, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, and WV. OUS: None - the firm stated that there are no OUS consignees associated to ICDs that were interrogated from January 22, 2020 to February 6, 2020..
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (Z-1700-2020) 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.

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Data Sources

Source: FDA, CPSC, and NHTSA federal recall databases. This recall: FDA Devices, reported April 22, 2020.

  • 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)

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.

Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records — no number is typed in by an editor. 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 June 2026.