Medtronic: Mazor X robots could fall on patients during surgery

Medtronic Mazor X. | Credit: Medtronic

Medtronic said today some of its Mazor X surgical robotic systems could detach and fall onto the OR table, potentially injuring a patient.

The problem affects Mazor X systems with positioner Type II, the company said in an urgent field safety notice (PDF) issued in the U.K. It wasn’t immediately clear if the problem that causes the system to detach affects units distributed elsewhere. No injuries have been reported, although Medtronic said it has received seven complaints of this issue occurring since Nov. 13, 2019. Possible injuries might include hemorrhage, hematoma, bleeding or fracture(s), the company said.

In the field notice, Medtronic described the problem as following:

“During pre-operative preparation, the Mazor X surgical system is raised and mounted over the OR table with the aid of the manipulator, which is the on-board automated lifting mechanism. This enables raising of the surgical system over the OR table and mounting it onto the bed frame. The positioner provides a mechanism for rigid locking of the surgical system on the OR table, after disconnecting it from the manipulator.

“Medtronic is aware of instances where the Mazor X positioner Type II has unexpectedly released from the OR table after being securely attached. Investigation has determined that the occurrences are due to the potential for slight air leakage over time within the pneumatic system resulting in a gradual decrease in the positioner Type II latching device holding force. After time, this can result in the surgical system to release from the bed frame.”

In a separate statement to our sister publication MassDevice, the company described Mazor X as indicated for precise positioning of surgical instruments during general spinal surgery.

“In December of 2019, Medtronic initiated a medical device correction related to the Mazor X surgical system,” company spokesman David Young said in an email. “Medtronic received complaints — none of which involved patient injuries — of the surgical system having issues maintaining a rigid connection to the operating room table. This could result in the surgical system slowly descending toward the user or patient.”

Read the full story at our sister publication MassDevice.