PlainRecalls
ModerateClass IITerminated

FDA Devices recall · Reported July 25, 2018

Visualase Cooled Laser Applicator System (VCLAS) labeled as: a. Part Number 9735559, Visualase¿ Cooled Laser Applicator System 3mm Tip; b. Part Number 9735560 Visualase¿ Cooled Laser Applicator System 10mm Tip; c. Part Number 9735561 Visualase¿ Cooled Laser Applicator System 15mm Tip Product Usage: The Visualase Thermal Therapy System is indicated for use to necrotize or coagulate soft tissue through interstitial irradiation or thermal therapy under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI

Medtronic has become aware that certain lots of the VCLAS 3MM, 10MM, and 15MM laser diffusing fibers were not tested at intended laser power levels, due to an issue related to cal…

Recall #
Z-2501-2018
Affected scope
1,283 devices total
Initiated
March 23, 2018
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
Verify with FDA Devices →
View my saved recalls

Medtronic Navigation, Inc. recalled Visualase Cooled Laser Applicator System (VCLAS) labeled as: a. Part Number 9735559,… - a moderate-severity action.

Visualase Cooled Laser Applicator System (VCLAS) labeled as: a. Part Number 9735559,… was recalled by Medtronic Navigation, Inc. in July 25, 2018. Reason: Medtronic has become aware that certain lots of the VCLAS 3MM, 10MM, and 15MM laser diffusing fibers were not…. Check the official notice for the remedy. Verify recall #Z-2501-2018 with the FDA Devices before acting.

The recall

Medtronic Navigation, Inc. issued this moderate-severity FDA Devices recall-Medtronic has become aware that certain lots of the VCLAS 3MM, 10MM, and 15MM laser diffusing fibers were not….

Moderate
severity level
1K units
affected scope
Class II
classification
July 25, 2018
reported

Sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Verify recall #Z-2501-2018 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This FDA Devices action (record #Z-2501-2018) was formally reported on July 25, 2018, with the manufacturer initiating the action on March 23, 2018. It is classified under Moderate severity (Class II), with a current status of Terminated. Medtronic Navigation, Inc. is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of Louisville, CO. Federal records list the affected scope as 1,283 devices total.

The documented reason for this recall is: Medtronic has become aware that certain lots of the VCLAS 3MM, 10MM, and 15MM laser diffusing fibers were not tested at intended laser power levels, due to an issue related to calibration of the test equipment, which ca… Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: Worldwide Distribution - US Nationwide in the states of AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI. International distribution t…. 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, 3 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 - 40,322 medical devices recalls on record

-1,00001,0002,0003,0004,000 20052008201120142017202020232026 1,248
Severity2487872426High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this recall sits in the database

Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. 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.

Severity

Moderate

Affected scope

1,283 devices total

Related Recalls

6

3 from same agency

Product description

Visualase Cooled Laser Applicator System (VCLAS) labeled as: a. Part Number 9735559, Visualase¿ Cooled Laser Applicator System 3mm Tip; b. Part Number 9735560 Visualase¿ Cooled Laser Applicator System 10mm Tip; c. Part Number 9735561 Visualase¿ Cooled Laser Applicator System 15mm Tip Product Usage: The Visualase Thermal Therapy System is indicated for use to necrotize or coagulate soft tissue through interstitial irradiation or thermal therapy under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance in medicine and surgery in cardiovascular thoracic surgery (excluding the heart and the vessels in the pericardial sac), dermatology, ear-nose-throat surgery, gastroenterology, general surgery, gynecology, head and neck surgery, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, orthopedics, pulmonology, radiology, and urology, for wavelengths 800 nm - 1060 nm. When therapy is performed under MRI guidance, and when data from compatible MRI sequences is available, the Visualase system can process images to determine relative changes in tissue temperature during therapy. The image data may be manipulated and viewed in a number of different ways, and the values of data at certain selected points may be monitored and/or displayed over time.

Reason for recall

Medtronic has become aware that certain lots of the VCLAS 3MM, 10MM, and 15MM laser diffusing fibers were not tested at intended laser power levels, due to an issue related to calibration of the test equipment, which can lead to the potential for low laser energy output from fiber or fiber burnout at lower wattage.

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-2501-2018
Date reported July 25, 2018
Date initiated March 23, 2018
Recalling firm Medtronic Navigation, Inc.
Firm location Louisville, CO
Affected scope 1,283 devices total
Distribution Worldwide Distribution - US Nationwide in the states of AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI. International distribution to Israel.

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

Scale of Impact

1,283 devices total units affected - limited or regional distribution scale.

Regional (<10K units) ✓ This recall
Multi-state (10K – 100K units) -
Large-scale (100K – 1M units) -
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.

What to do with this recall

Match your product against the recall record, then act on the agency remedy.

  • Check the recall number (Z-2501-2018) 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?
Visualase Cooled Laser Applicator System (VCLAS) labeled as: a. Part Number 9735559, Visualase¿ Cooled Laser Applicator System 3mm Tip; b. Part Number 9735560 Visualase¿ Cooled Laser Applicator System 10mm Tip; c. Part Number 9735561 Visualase¿ Cooled Laser Applicator System 15mm Tip Product Usage: The Visualase Thermal Therapy System is indicated for use to necrotize or coagulate soft tissue through interstitial irradiation or thermal therapy under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance in medicine and surgery in cardiovascular thoracic surgery (excluding the heart and the vessels in the pericardial sac), dermatology, ear-nose-throat surgery, gastroenterology, general surgery, gynecology, head and neck surgery, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, orthopedics, pulmonology, radiology, and urology, for wavelengths 800 nm - 1060 nm. When therapy is performed under MRI guidance, and when data from compatible MRI sequences is available, the Visualase system can process images to determine relative changes in tissue temperature during therapy. The image data may be manipulated and viewed in a number of different ways, and the values of data at certain selected points may be monitored and/or displayed over time.. Recalled by Medtronic Navigation, Inc.. Units affected: 1,283 devices total.
Why was this product recalled?
Medtronic has become aware that certain lots of the VCLAS 3MM, 10MM, and 15MM laser diffusing fibers were not tested at intended laser power levels, due to an issue related to calibration of the test equipment, which can lead to the potential for low laser energy output from fiber or fiber burnout at lower wattage.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the FDA Devices on July 25, 2018. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: Z-2501-2018.
Where was the recalled product distributed?
Distribution: Worldwide Distribution - US Nationwide in the states of AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI. International distribution to Israel..
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (Z-2501-2018) 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.

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 Rowenta Recalls Cordless Vacuum Cleaners Due to Risk of Ser… →

Browse all Medical Devices recalls →

Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: FDA Devices, reported July 25, 2018. 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 July 2026.