inforMED
MalfunctionIOY

SUPPORT ARM 176

Received Dec 15, 2009 · Event occurred Jul 29, 2009

Report 8010042-2009-00267 · MDR key 1568463

Device

Catalog number

6405976

Product problems

  • Component(s), broken
  • Mechanical Problem

Patient

Not reported

  • No Patient involvement

Narrative

Description of Event or Problem

IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE SUPPORT ARM BROKE. (B) (4). (B) (4).

Additional Manufacturer Narrative

IMAGES OF THE REPORTED SUPPORT ARM HAVE BEEN RECEIVED AND EVALUATED. THE IMAGES SHOW THAT THE SUPPORT ARM BROKE AT THE JOINT NEAREST TO THE BRACKET. BASED ON PRIOR INVESTIGATIONS OF SIMILAR FAULTS, OUR CONCLUSION IN THIS MATTER IS THAT THE SUPPORT ARM HAS BEEN OVERLOADED, STRESSED TO FORCES EXCEEDING THE LIMITS STATED IN THE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. PRIOR PERFORMED INVESTIGATIONS HAVE LED TO A RE-DESIGN AND A CHANGE OF THE MFG PROCESS IN ORDER TO OBTAIN A HIGHER MECHANICAL STRENGTH OF THE SUPPORT ARMS. THIS WAS IMPLEMENTED IN PRODUCTION DURING MAY 2009. THE REPORTED SUPPORT ARM WAS MFG DURING SEPT 1998. (B) (4).