PlainRecalls
ModerateClass IITerminated

FDA Devices recall · Reported August 23, 2017

VNS Therapy¿ AspireHC¿ Generator, VNS Therapy¿ AspireSR¿ Generator. Model No. 105. Product Usage: United States Indications for Use: Epilepsy (PMA 970003): The VNS Therapy System is indicated for use as an adjunctive therapy in reducing the frequency of seizures in adults and adolescents over 12 years of age with partial onset seizures that are refractory to antiepileptic medications. Depression (PMA 970003/S050): VNS Therapy is indicated for the adjunctive long-term treatment of chronic or

Manufacturing process used to assemble the circuit board may result in some devices experiencing a faster than expected reduction in device longevity.

Recall #
Z-3019-2017
Affected scope
396 units
Initiated
June 13, 2017
Verify with FDA Devices →
View my saved recalls

Cyberonics, Inc recalled VNS Therapy¿ AspireHC¿ Generator, VNS Therapy¿ AspireSR¿ Generator. Model No. 105. Pr… - a moderate-severity action.

VNS Therapy¿ AspireHC¿ Generator, VNS Therapy¿ AspireSR¿ Generator. Model No. 105. Pr… was recalled by Cyberonics, Inc in August 23, 2017. Reason: Manufacturing process used to assemble the circuit board may result in some devices experiencing a faster tha…. Check the official notice for the remedy. Verify recall #Z-3019-2017 with the FDA Devices before acting.

The recall

Cyberonics, Inc issued this moderate-severity FDA Devices recall-Manufacturing process used to assemble the circuit board may result in some devices experiencing a faster tha….

Moderate
severity level
396 units
affected scope
Class II
classification
August 23, 2017
reported

Sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Verify recall #Z-3019-2017 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

01,0002,0003,0004,000 20052008201120142017202020232026 1,947
Severity1906864652High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this agency-classified recall sits among FDA Class I/II/III notices

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 moderate severity.

Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.

Product description

VNS Therapy¿ AspireHC¿ Generator, VNS Therapy¿ AspireSR¿ Generator. Model No. 105. Product Usage: United States Indications for Use: Epilepsy (PMA 970003): The VNS Therapy System is indicated for use as an adjunctive therapy in reducing the frequency of seizures in adults and adolescents over 12 years of age with partial onset seizures that are refractory to antiepileptic medications. Depression (PMA 970003/S050): VNS Therapy is indicated for the adjunctive long-term treatment of chronic or recurrent depression for patients 18 years of age or older who are experiencing a major depressive episode and have not had an adequate response to four or more adequate antidepressant treatments. Indications outside the U.S.: Epilepsy (Non-US): The VNS Therapy System is indicated for use as an adjunctive therapy in reducing the frequency of seizures in patients whose epileptic disorder is dominated by partial seizure (with or without secondary generalization) or generalized seizures that are refractory to antiepileptic medications. AspireSR (Seizure Response) features the Automatic Stimulation Mode which is intended for patients who experience seizures that are associated with cardiac rhythm increases known as ictal tachycardia. Depression (Non-US): The VNS Therapy System is indicated for the treatment of chronic or recurrent depression in patients who are experiencing a treatment-resistant or treatment-intolerant depressive episode.

Reason for recall

Manufacturing process used to assemble the circuit board may result in some devices experiencing a faster than expected reduction in device longevity.

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-3019-2017
Date reported August 23, 2017
Date initiated June 13, 2017
Recalling firm Cyberonics, Inc
Firm location Houston, TX
Affected scope 396 units
Distribution Worldwide Distribution - US Nationwide and Puerto Rico and the following states: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC…

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

Scale of Impact

396 units 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-3019-2017) 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?
VNS Therapy¿ AspireHC¿ Generator, VNS Therapy¿ AspireSR¿ Generator. Model No. 105. Product Usage: United States Indications for Use: Epilepsy (PMA 970003): The VNS Therapy System is indicated for use as an adjunctive therapy in reducing the frequency of seizures in adults and adolescents over 12 years of age with partial onset seizures that are refractory to antiepileptic medications. Depression (PMA 970003/S050): VNS Therapy is indicated for the adjunctive long-term treatment of chronic or recurrent depression for patients 18 years of age or older who are experiencing a major depressive episode and have not had an adequate response to four or more adequate antidepressant treatments. Indications outside the U.S.: Epilepsy (Non-US): The VNS Therapy System is indicated for use as an adjunctive therapy in reducing the frequency of seizures in patients whose epileptic disorder is dominated by partial seizure (with or without secondary generalization) or generalized seizures that are refractory to antiepileptic medications. AspireSR (Seizure Response) features the Automatic Stimulation Mode which is intended for patients who experience seizures that are associated with cardiac rhythm increases known as ictal tachycardia. Depression (Non-US): The VNS Therapy System is indicated for the treatment of chronic or recurrent depression in patients who are experiencing a treatment-resistant or treatment-intolerant depressive episode.. Recalled by Cyberonics, Inc. Units affected: 396 units.
Why was this product recalled?
Manufacturing process used to assemble the circuit board may result in some devices experiencing a faster than expected reduction in device longevity.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the FDA Devices on August 23, 2017. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: Z-3019-2017.
Where was the recalled product distributed?
Distribution: Worldwide Distribution - US Nationwide and Puerto Rico and the following states: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, WY, Puerto Rico. Distribution internationally to Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom..
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.

Nationwide recalls with similar severity or category timing

Drug and device notices outside this firm and state, matched by severity timing and product category.

Compare this recall with GORE VIABIL Short Wire Biliary Endoprosthesis, Model No. VS… → · All Medical Devices recalls

This recall: FDA Devices, reported August 23, 2017. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy; related-recall context is computed across the full archive.

Methodology · Corrections · Archive as of August 2026