PlainRecalls
ModerateClass IITerminated

FDA Devices recall · Reported September 27, 2017

Spine Referencing Instrumentation, Spinous Process Clamp, Short 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 p…

Recall #
Z-3140-2017
Affected scope
2,051 units total
Initiated
June 29, 2017
Verify with FDA Devices →
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Medtronic Navigation, Inc. recalled Spine Referencing Instrumentation, Spinous Process Clamp, Short When used with a Medtron… - a moderate-severity action.

Spine Referencing Instrumentation, Spinous Process Clamp, Short When used with a Medtron… 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-3140-2017 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….

Moderate
severity level
2K units
affected scope
Class II
classification
September 27, 2017
reported

Sourced from official FDA Devices enforcement records. Verify recall #Z-3140-2017 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

Spine Referencing Instrumentation, Spinous Process Clamp, Short 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.

Reason for recall

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.

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-3140-2017
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.

Scale of Impact

2,051 units 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-3140-2017) 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?
Spine Referencing Instrumentation, Spinous Process Clamp, Short 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.. Recalled by Medtronic Navigation, Inc.. Units affected: 2,051 units total.
Why was this product recalled?
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.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the FDA Devices on September 27, 2017. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: Z-3140-2017.
Where was the recalled product distributed?
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, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Martinique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, & Vietnam..
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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This recall: FDA Devices, reported September 27, 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