Severity
Moderate
VNS Therapy¿ AspireHC¿ Generator, VNS Therapy¿ AspireSR¿ Generator. Model No. 106. 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
Reported: August 23, 2017 Initiated: June 13, 2017 #Z-3020-2017 1,909 units units
Cyberonics, Inc issued this FDA Devices recall on August 23, 2017. Classified as Moderate severity (Class II). Approximately 1,909 units units are affected. The recall was issued because: Manufacturing process used to assemble the circuit board may result in some devices experiencing a faster than expected…. 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-3020-2017) was formally reported on August 23, 2017, with the manufacturer initiating the action on June 13, 2017. It is classified under Moderate severity (Class II), with a current status of Terminated. Cyberonics, Inc is listed as the recalling firm, operating out of Houston, TX. Federal records indicate 1,909 units units are affected.
The documented reason for this recall is: Manufacturing process used to assemble the circuit board may result in some devices experiencing a faster than expected reduction in device longevity. Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: 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…. 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 9 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
1,909 units
Related Recalls
6
6 from same agency
Product Description
VNS Therapy¿ AspireHC¿ Generator, VNS Therapy¿ AspireSR¿ Generator. Model No. 106. 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.
Details
- Recalling Firm
- Cyberonics, Inc
- Units Affected
- 1,909 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, 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.
- Location
- Houston, TX
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Severity class | Moderate (Class II) |
| Status | Terminated |
| Recall number | Z-3020-2017 |
| Date reported | August 23, 2017 |
| Date initiated | June 13, 2017 |
| Recalling firm | Cyberonics, Inc |
| Units affected | 1,909 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What product was recalled? ▼
VNS Therapy¿ AspireHC¿ Generator, VNS Therapy¿ AspireSR¿ Generator. Model No. 106. 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: 1,909 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-3020-2017.
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..
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall? ▼
Check the product description and recall number (Z-3020-2017) 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).