Millions of sleep apnea and breathing machines have been recalled by the medical device manufacturer Philips Respironics. The updated recall states the DreamStation CPAP sleep apnea and other breathing machines may increase lung injury risks. In April 2021, the initial Philips Sleep Apnea Device recall was issued, and in June 2021, the recall was updated. Currently, the recall is listed as voluntary or a safety notification.
Medical devices often help patients recover or live more comfortably, but if defective, medical products can cause serious harm. Recalls are in place to protect people from these types of dangerous products. The Florida product liability attorneys at Colson Hicks Eidson will fight to make sure victims receive full and fair compensation for their injuries and losses.
The specifics of the recall
The causes of the Philips Respironics breathing machine recall concerns users inhaling contaminants and/or toxic chemicals, leading to possible lung injuries or cancer. The sound-abating foam liners in the machines may disintegrate or release toxic gas or vapors.
The initial defective machines affected by the recall were:
- Philips Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure (Bi-Level PAP)
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
- Various Philips mechanical ventilator devices
Updates on the recall name the first-generation product line of the DreamStation that are within the 5-year service life. These machines also contain a sound-reducing foam composed of polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR). If the foam disintegrates, dangerous particles and chemicals may be inhaled.
There may be as many as 4 million devices affected in the U.S. market. The updated recalled Philips Respironics devices also include:
- DreamStation ASV
- DreamStation ST, AVAPS
- SystemOne ASV4
- C Series ASV, S/T, AVAPS
- OmniLab Advanced Plus In-Lab Titration Device
- SystemOne Q series
- DreamStation CPAP, Auto CPAP, BiPAP
- DreamStation Go CPAP, APAP
- Dorma 400, 500 CPAP
- REMStar SE AutoCPAP
- E30 (For facility use, under emergency use authorization)
- Trilogy 100Ventilator
- Trilogy 200Ventilator
- Garbin Plus, Aeris, LifeVent Ventilator
- A-Series BiPAP V30 AutoVentilator
Physical ailments associated with the recall
The airway contamination of particles or chemicals may include lung injuries, chemical exposure, and an increased risk of cancer. Some of the complaints have reported black debris in breathing tubes. The symptoms of this type of contamination may include:
- Coughing
- Headache
- Lung inflammation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Throat irritation
- Carcinogenic effects
If you have recently used one of these devices and experienced symptoms, you should seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
When to contact a personal injury attorney
It is important to hold companies accountable for any products with dangerous defects. The public only benefits from consumer protections, and the lawyers at Colson Hicks Eidson have a successful history of representing clients in national product recalls—from partner Mike Eidson battling Firestone in defective tire litigation to partner Curt Miner currently taking on the Takata airbag recall.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of a recalled product, contact the Florida product liability attorneys at Colson Hicks Eidson for a free consultation by clicking here or by calling us at 305-476-7400.
