Severity
Moderate
Varian Multileaf Collimator [MLC]; Millenium Multileaf Collimator [52, 80, 120 leaf]; High Definition 120 Multileaf Collimator Model Number(s): product code: H54 and H56; MLC software version 8.5 - Product Usage: is intended to assist the clinician in the delivery of external beam radiation to defined target volumes during radiosurgery and radiotherapy while sparing surrounding normal tissue and critical organs from excess radiation.
Reported: May 13, 2020 Initiated: August 12, 2019 #Z-1899-2020 151 units units
Varian Medical Systems, Inc. issued this FDA Devices recall on May 13, 2020. Classified as Moderate severity (Class II). Approximately 151 units units are affected. The recall was issued because: After a recent upgrade to the collimator software version 8.5, the firm became aware that the multi-leaf collimator lea…. 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-1899-2020) was formally reported on May 13, 2020, with the manufacturer initiating the action on August 12, 2019. It is classified under Moderate severity (Class II), with a current status of Terminated. Varian Medical Systems, Inc. is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of Palo Alto, CA. Federal records indicate 151 units units are affected.
The documented reason for this recall is: After a recent upgrade to the collimator software version 8.5, the firm became aware that the multi-leaf collimator leaves did not move during an arc treatment. The issue is related to a transient carriage primary- seco… Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: Worldwide distribution - US Nationwide distribution including in the states of TN, FL, IN, PA, NV, WA, DC, CA, AL, IL, MD, VA, TX, MN, AR, GA, OR, MS, MO, NY, SC, DE, AZ, NH, MI, NC, OH, PA and OK. The country of Canada.. 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 6 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
Units Affected
151 units
Related Recalls
6
6 from same agency
Product Description
Varian Multileaf Collimator [MLC]; Millenium Multileaf Collimator [52, 80, 120 leaf]; High Definition 120 Multileaf Collimator Model Number(s): product code: H54 and H56; MLC software version 8.5 - Product Usage: is intended to assist the clinician in the delivery of external beam radiation to defined target volumes during radiosurgery and radiotherapy while sparing surrounding normal tissue and critical organs from excess radiation.
Reason for Recall
After a recent upgrade to the collimator software version 8.5, the firm became aware that the multi-leaf collimator leaves did not move during an arc treatment. The issue is related to a transient carriage primary- secondary interlock due to carriage fault on the MLC that immediately preceded the initiation of the arc treatment. The issue will occur only with MLC software version 8.5 and only affects conformal arc treatments, including VMAT and RapidArc. There have been no reports of adverse health consequences due to this issue.
Details
- Recalling Firm
- Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
- Units Affected
- 151 units
- Distribution
- Worldwide distribution - US Nationwide distribution including in the states of TN, FL, IN, PA, NV, WA, DC, CA, AL, IL, MD, VA, TX, MN, AR, GA, OR, MS, MO, NY, SC, DE, AZ, NH, MI, NC, OH, PA and OK. The country of Canada.
- Location
- Palo Alto, CA
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Severity class | Moderate (Class II) |
| Status | Terminated |
| Recall number | Z-1899-2020 |
| Date reported | May 13, 2020 |
| Date initiated | August 12, 2019 |
| Recalling firm | Varian Medical Systems, Inc. |
| Units affected | 151 units |
| Distribution | Worldwide distribution - US Nationwide distribution including in the states of TN, FL, IN, PA, NV, WA, DC, CA, AL, IL, MD, VA, TX, MN, AR, GA, OR, MS, MO, NY, SC, DE, AZ, NH, MI, NC, OH, PA and OK. The country of Canada. |
Profile values are sourced directly from the official FDA Devices enforcement record. Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What product was recalled? ▼
Varian Multileaf Collimator [MLC]; Millenium Multileaf Collimator [52, 80, 120 leaf]; High Definition 120 Multileaf Collimator Model Number(s): product code: H54 and H56; MLC software version 8.5 - Product Usage: is intended to assist the clinician in the delivery of external beam radiation to defined target volumes during radiosurgery and radiotherapy while sparing surrounding normal tissue and critical organs from excess radiation.. Recalled by Varian Medical Systems, Inc.. Units affected: 151 units.
Why was this product recalled? ▼
After a recent upgrade to the collimator software version 8.5, the firm became aware that the multi-leaf collimator leaves did not move during an arc treatment. The issue is related to a transient carriage primary- secondary interlock due to carriage fault on the MLC that immediately preceded the initiation of the arc treatment. The issue will occur only with MLC software version 8.5 and only affects conformal arc treatments, including VMAT and RapidArc. There have been no reports of adverse health consequences due to this issue.
Which agency issued this recall? ▼
This recall was issued by the FDA Devices on May 13, 2020. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: Z-1899-2020.
Where was the recalled product distributed? ▼
Distribution: Worldwide distribution - US Nationwide distribution including in the states of TN, FL, IN, PA, NV, WA, DC, CA, AL, IL, MD, VA, TX, MN, AR, GA, OR, MS, MO, NY, SC, DE, AZ, NH, MI, NC, OH, PA and OK. The country of Canada..
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall? ▼
Check the product description and recall number (Z-1899-2020) 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
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS — demographic + housing + income data. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — wage + employment by occupation. bls.gov/oes
- BEA Regional Economic Accounts — GDP + personal income by state/metro. bea.gov/data/regional
- U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns — establishment + employment by industry. census.gov/cbp
- IRS Statistics of Income (SOI) — tax-return aggregate data. irs.gov/statistics
- data.gov — U.S. federal open-data portal — discovery layer for additional federal sources. data.gov
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).