Severity
Moderate
FDA Devices recall · Reported September 27, 2017
Potential for Spinal Clamps to be damaged when opened beyond intended limits, either no opening once attached to a patient's spinous process or leaving a component behind in the p…
Medtronic Navigation, Inc. recalled Spine Referencing Instrumentation, Spinous Process Clamp, Tall When used with a Medtroni… - a moderate-severity action.
Spine Referencing Instrumentation, Spinous Process Clamp, Tall When used with a Medtroni… was recalled by Medtronic Navigation, Inc. in September 27, 2017. Reason: Potential for Spinal Clamps to be damaged when opened beyond intended limits, either no opening once attached…. Check the official notice for the remedy. Verify recall #Z-3139-2017 with the FDA Devices before acting.
The recall
Medtronic Navigation, Inc. issued this moderate-severity FDA Devices recall-Potential for Spinal Clamps to be damaged when opened beyond intended limits, either no opening once attached….
Sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Verify recall #Z-3139-2017 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
This FDA Devices action (record #Z-3139-2017) was formally reported on September 27, 2017, with the manufacturer initiating the action on June 29, 2017. 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 2,051 units total.
The documented reason for this recall is: Potential for Spinal Clamps to be damaged when opened beyond intended limits, either no opening once attached to a patient's spinous process or leaving a component behind in the patient's body following breakage. Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: Worldwide Distribution - US including AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, AD, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, & WY…. 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.
Where this recall sits in its category - 40,322 medical devices recalls on record
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
2,051 units total
Related Recalls
6
3 from same agency
Spine Referencing Instrumentation, Spinous Process Clamp, Tall When used with a Medtronic StealthStation Navigation System, the Spine Referencing fixation devices are intended to provide rigid attachment between patient and patient reference frame for the duration of the surgery. The devices are intended to be reusable. The spine referencing clamps provide bony fixation through two styles of clamps; a single spinous process clamp and a double spinous process clamp.
Potential for Spinal Clamps to be damaged when opened beyond intended limits, either no opening once attached to a patient's spinous process or leaving a component behind in the patient's body following breakage.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Severity class | Moderate (Class II) |
| Status | Terminated |
| Recall number | Z-3139-2017 |
| Date reported | September 27, 2017 |
| Date initiated | June 29, 2017 |
| Recalling firm | Medtronic Navigation, Inc. |
| Firm location | Louisville, CO |
| Affected scope | 2,051 units total |
| Distribution | Worldwide Distribution - US including AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, AD, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, & WY. Foreign: Albania, … |
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.
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.
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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 September 27, 2017. 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.