inforMED
MalfunctionHTT

UNKNOWN ZIMMER DRILL BIT

Received Mar 21, 2013 · Event occurred Feb 12, 2013

Report 1822565-2013-00511 · MDR key 3034761

Device

Generic name

Knee Instrument

Manufacturer

Zimmer, Inc.

Product problems

  • Fracture

Patient

65 YR

  • Device Embedded In Tissue or Plaque

Narrative

Description of Event or Problem

IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE TIP OF THE DRILL BIT BROKE OFF IN THE PATIENT'S PATELLA.

Additional Manufacturer Narrative

EVALUATION SUMMARY: THE POTENTIAL FIELD AGE OF THE DEVICE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANNER OF USE OF THE DRILL BIT THAT LED TO THIS EVEN TIS UNKNOWN. BASED ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED, A DEFINITIVE CAUSE FOR THIS EVENT CANNOT BE DETERMINED WITH CERTAINTY. RETURNED FOR REVIEW IS AN UNKNOWN DRILL BIT THAT HAS FRACTURED JUST BELOW THE START OF THE CUTTING FLUTES. DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS COULD NOT BE PERFORMED AND REVIEW OF THE DEVICE HISTORY RECORDS WAS NOT POSSIBLE AS THE PRODUCT AND/OR LOT NUMBERS REQUIRED FOR RETRIEVAL WERE UNAVAILABLE. IT IS NOT SUSPECTED THAT THE PRODUCT FAILED TO MEET SPECIFICATIONS. THE INVESTIGATION COULD NOT VERIFY OR IDENTIFY ANY EVIDENCE OF PRODUCT CONTRIBUTION TO THE REPORTED PROBLEM. BASED ON THE AVAILABLE INFORMATION, THE NEED FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION IS NOT INDICATED. SHOULD ADDITIONAL SUBSTANTIVE INFORMATION BE RECEIVED, THE COMPLAINT WILL BE REOPENED. ZIMMER, INC. CONSIDERS THE INVESTIGATION CLOSED.