HeartMate II®, System Controller 10005080Recalls & reported problems
Thoratec Corporation · System Controller · Class 3
Quick summary
This is the HeartMate II system controller, which manages a ventricular assist system. The 24 reports mostly describe worn or damaged cables, power and connection problems, alarms, and controller exchanges. They mention no deaths and 1 injury. No recalls name this device.
AI-generated from the FDA records on this page and checked automatically against the numbers below. Read the details before relying on it.
- Adverse event reports
- 24
- Deaths reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Recalls naming it
- 0
Summary
The FDA's MAUDE database contains 24 adverse event reports that list this exact device (DI 00813024013013), received between Sep 24, 2020 and Apr 23, 2024 — classified as 1 injury, 23 malfunctions.
The most frequently reported specific device problem is “Electrical Power Problem” (6 reports).
Reports come from manufacturers, hospitals and patients and are not verified by the FDA. A report does not prove the device caused the event, and counts can't be used to compare devices or estimate failure rates. How this data works · Data updated Oct 13, 2026.
Reports received per month
Most reported problems
Device problems
- Electrical Power Problem6
- Mechanical Problem6
- Disconnection4
- Insufficient Device Problem Information4
- Material Deformation4
- Complete Loss of Power2
- Display or Visual Feedback Problem2
- Noise, Audible2
Patient problems
- No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions24
- No Code Available1
- No Consequences Or Impact To Patient1
Recent adverse event reports
The 24 most recent of 24 reports, in the reporter's own words as published by the FDA.
MalfunctionApr 23, 2024Mechanical Problem; Mechanical Problem
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE PATIENT HAD A CONTROLLER EXCHANGE DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR ON THE CONTROLLER.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 19165367 ↗MalfunctionAug 15, 2023Mechanical Problem; Communication or Transmission Problem; Mechanical Problem; Communication or Transmission Problem
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE PATIENT PRESENTED TO THE CLINIC WITH A TEAR ON THE BLACK POWER CABLE FOR THEIR HEARTMATE II SYSTEM CONTROLLER. UPON HOOKING THE PATIENT UP TO THE MONITOR, THE MONITOR WOULD NOT REGISTER THAT THE CONTROLLER WAS CONNECTED AND THEREFORE THE LOG FILES COULDN'T BE DOWNLOADED. A SECOND MONITOR WAS TRIED WITHOUT SUCCESS. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE NOTED ON THE PATIENT'S WHITE POWER CABLE OR DRIVELINE. THE PATIENT DENIED KNOWING ABOUT ANY DAMAGE TO THE CABLE AND THOUGHT THE DAMAGE HAD OCCURRED DURING THE NIGHT. THE CONTROLLER WAS REPLACED.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 17550802 ↗MalfunctionAug 1, 2023Display or Visual Feedback Problem; Display or Visual Feedback Problem
IT WAS REPORTED THAT PUMP STOPS AND LOW FLOW ALARMS WERE NOTED IN THE LOG FILE HISTORY. THE PATIENT WAS ASYMPTOMATIC. THE PATIENT WAS LISTED FOR URGENT TRANSPLANT, WAS ADMITTED TO THE WARD, AND WAS BEING MONITORED. THE LOG FILE CAPTURED A REPLACE SYSTEM CONTROLLER MESSAGE DUE TO AN LCD FAULT EVENT WHICH SELF-CORRECTED. THE PATIENT WAS TRANSPLANTED ON 29 APR 2023. RELATED MANUFACTURER REFERENCE NUMBER: (B)(4) (PUMP)
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 17437958 ↗MalfunctionJul 20, 2023Insufficient Device Problem Information; Insufficient Device Problem Information
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE PATIENT'S CONTROLLER ALARMED "CALL HOSPITAL CONTACT". THE PATIENT'S WIFE EXCHANGED THE CONTROLLER. THE CONTROLLER EXCHANGE RESOLVED THE ALARM BUT THE PATIENT'S WIFE WAS UNABLE TO TURN OFF THE CONTROLLER WHEN IT WAS NO LONGER IN USE. THE CONTROLLER WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ANY BUTTON BEING PRESSED.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 17366622 ↗MalfunctionMar 10, 2023Disconnection; Electrical Power Problem; Disconnection; Electrical Power Problem
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE PATIENT HAD MULTIPLE LOW VOLTAGE ALARMS. A REVIEW OF THE LOG FILES REVEALED SEVERAL ODD LOW POWER ALARMS WHILE THE PATIENT WAS CONNECTED TO BATTERIES. THE CUSTOMER TRIED CLEANING BATTERIES AND CLIPS AND HAD SENT THE PATIENT NEW CLIPS; THE PATIENT CONTINUED TO GET ALARMS. THE ALARMS RESOLVED AFTER A CONTROLLER EXCHANGE.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 16522820 ↗MalfunctionSep 30, 2022Break; Mechanical Problem; Device Difficult to Setup or Prepare; Break; Mechanical Problem; Device Difficult to Setup or Prepare
IT WAS REPORTED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CONNECT THE SYSTEM CONTROLLER TO THE POWER MODULE, THE BLACK POWER CABLE COULD NOT MAKE CONNECTION. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, THE NURSE NOTED A BROKEN PIN THAT WAS STUCK IN THE CABLE. THE PATIENT REQUIRED A CONTROLLER EXCHANGE.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 15513852 ↗MalfunctionAug 3, 2022Electrical Power Problem; Material Deformation; Electrical Power Problem; Material Deformation
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE PATIENT HAD MANY LOW VOLTAGE ALARMS AS WELL AS VISIBLE DAMAGE NOTED ON THE BLACK POWER CABLE. THE CONTROLLER WAS EXCHANGED AND NO PLAN FOR RETURNING THE CONTROLLER WAS MADE. THE ALARMS RESOLVED WITH CONTROLLER EXCHANGE AND NO ALARMS WERE HEARD ON THE NEW CONTROLLER. A REVIEW OF THE LOG FILES REVEALED ODD STRINGS OF LOW POWER ADVISORY AND POWER CABLE DISCONNECTS ALARMS.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 15158470 ↗MalfunctionJul 7, 2022Disconnection; Mechanical Problem; Electrical Power Problem; Material Deformation; Disconnection; Mechanical Problem; Electrical Power Problem; Material Deformation
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE PATIENT HAD SEVERAL POWER CABLE DISCONNECTS AND LOW VOLTAGE ADVISORIES THAT WERE OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN. DAMAGE TO THE BEND RELIEF PORTION OF THE SYSTEM CONTROLLER POWER CABLES WAS ALSO OBSERVED WITH GREEN SLUDGE SHOWING THROUGH. THE SYSTEM CONTROLLER WAS EXCHANGED. LOG FILE ANALYSIS CONFIRMED UNUSUAL POWER CABLE DISCONNECTS.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 14948579 ↗MalfunctionMar 24, 2022Disconnection; Electrical Power Problem; Disconnection; Electrical Power Problem
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE PATIENT HAD MANY LOW VOLTAGE ALARMS ON THEIR LOG FILE HISTORY. THE BATTERY CLIPS WERE LESS THAN 1 YEAR OLD AND LOOKED CLEAN. THE BATTERIES WERE 3 YEARS OLD. THE BATTERY CLIPS WERE REPLACED AND THE NEW BATTERIES WERE USED WITH THE PATIENT'S OLD BATTERY CLIPS, HOWEVER; THE CONTROLLER POWER IMMEDIATELY DROPPED FROM 4 TO 3 BARS. ANOTHER ATTEMPT WAS MADE USING NEW BATTERIES AND NEW BATTERY CLIPS AND THE POWER REMAINED AT 4 BARS. A REVIEW OF THE LOG FILE REVEALED 3 TRANSIENT LOW VOLTAGE ALARMS. TWO OCCURRED ON (B)(6) 2022 AT 1612 AND ONE OCCURRED ON (B)(6) 2022 AT 1618. ALL WHILE THE PATIENT WAS TETHERED ON BATTERIES. THE PATIENT STATED THEY CONTINUED TO HEAR ALARMS AFTER THE BATTERY AND CLIPS WERE EXCHANGED. A CONTROLLER EXCHANGE WAS PERFORMED ON (B)(6) 2022 AND THE ALARMS RESOLVED.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 13894774 ↗MalfunctionJan 27, 2022No Apparent Adverse Event; No Apparent Adverse Event
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE PATIENTS WAVEFORMS WERE SENT FOR REVIEW. THE DATA SHOWED NUMEROUS PUMP STOPS AND LOW SPEED ADVISORIES BETWEEN (B)(6) 2021 AND (B)(6) 2021. THERE WERE NO OTHER UNUSUAL EVENTS RECORDED IN LOG FILE HISTORY. THERE WAS POTENTIAL CONCERN FOR AN AREA WHERE THE SHIELDING APPEARED TO BE WORN DOWN. ON (B)(6) 2021 THE PATIENT RECEIVED A PUMP EXCHANGE. RELATED MANUFACTURER REPORT NUMBER: 2916596-2021-06285.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 13366819 ↗MalfunctionDec 8, 2021Disconnection; Complete Loss of Power; Disconnection; Complete Loss of Power
RELATED MANUFACTURER REFERENCE NUMBER: 2916596-2021-06881. IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE PATIENT PRESENTED IN CLINIC WITH ALARMS WHILE ON BATTERY POWER. IT APPEARED TO BE NO EXTERNAL POWER, DESPITE PATIENT CLAIMED HE WALKED OUT THE DOOR. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE HISTORY, A PUMP STOP WAS NOTED. THE PATIENT HAD A HISTORY OF SHORT TO SHIELD WITH AN EXTERNAL REPAIR IN (B)(6) 2020. A LOG FILE REVIEW SHOWED A PUMP STOP EVENT ON (B)(6) 2021 AT 07:01AM WHILE ON USING THE POWER MODULE AND THERE WERE NO FURTHER PUMP STOPS IN THE LOG. THERE WERE A FEW LOW VOLTAGE NO EXTERNAL POWER EVENTS ON (B)(6) 2021 AT 12:33, 12:24, AND 12:31 WHILE USING BATTERY POWER AND APPEARED TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY CLIPS/14V BATTERIES. THERE WAS POTENTIALLY A WEAK CONNECTION BETWEEN THE BATTERY CLIPS AND THE POWER LEADS ON THE CONTROLLER. THE DRIVELINE REPAIR IN JULY 2020 WAS SUCCESSFUL AND THE PATIENT WAS ON AN UNGROUNDED CABLE. THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO CALL THIS EVENT A SHORT TO SHIELD BUT THE PATIENT WAS PLANNED TO RETURN IN A COUPLE WEEKS. THE BATTERY CLIPS WOULD BE EXCHANGED TO SEE IF THAT WILL RESOLVE THE LOW VOLTAGE/NO EXTERNAL POWER ISSUES. THE BATTERY CLIPS WERE EXCHANGED AND THE BLACK POWER CORD A
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 12961470 ↗InjuryDec 2, 2021Complete Loss of Power; Complete Loss of Power
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE PATIENT HAD A FLASHING RED BATTERY ALARM WITH THE SCREEN DISPLAYING "REPLACE POWER IMMEDIATELY". THE PATIENT REPLACED THEIR BATTERIES TO FULLY CHARGED ONES AND THE ALARMS CONTINUED. AFTER SWITCHING BACK AND FORTH FROM BATTERIES TO THE POWER MODULE, THE ALARMS RESOLVED. THE PATIENT WAS IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND ALARMS APPEARED ON THE POWER MODULE. THE PATIENT'S PRIMARY CONTROLLER WAS EXCHANGED AND THE ALARMS RESOLVED IMMEDIATELY. A LOG FILE ANALYSIS CONFIRMED SEVERAL LOW BATTERY HAZARD ALARMS AND NO EXTERNAL POWER ALARMS BETWEEN (B)(6) 2021 AND (B)(6) 2021 BEFORE THE PATIENT'S CONTROLLER WAS EXCHANGED.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 12917444 ↗MalfunctionNov 2, 2021Electrical Power Problem; Electrical Power Problem
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE PATIENT HAD RANDOM BEEPING LOW VOLTAGE ALARMS, DESPITE CLEANING CLIPS/CONNECTIONS AND SWAPPING TO NEW EQUIPMENT. THE SYSTEM CONTROLLER WAS EXCHANGED.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 12738014 ↗MalfunctionNov 1, 2021Overheating of Device; Overheating of Device
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE PATIENT'S SYSTEM CONTROLLER WAS HOT. THEY HAD A CONTROLLER EXCHANGE ON (B)(6) 2020.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 12733074 ↗MalfunctionJun 24, 2021Insufficient Device Problem Information; Noise, Audible; Insufficient Device Problem Information; Noise, Audible
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE CONTROLLER SELF TEST DID NOT SOUND AS EXPECTED. THE PATIENT NOTICED THIS ISSUE AS WELL. THE CONTROLLER WAS EXCHANGED DUE TO THIS ISSUE.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 12059170 ↗MalfunctionJun 14, 2021Display or Visual Feedback Problem; Display or Visual Feedback Problem
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE PATIENT COULD NOT SEE THE GREEN ARROWS ON THEIR CONTROLLER ANYMORE. THE CONTROLLER WAS EXCHANGED. NO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 11995833 ↗MalfunctionApr 13, 2021Failure to Power Up; Failure to Power Up
RELATED MANUFACTURER REPORT NUMBERS: 2916596-2021-01609, 2916596-2021-02611.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 11657137 ↗MalfunctionMar 26, 2021Mechanical Problem; Mechanical Problem
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE PATIENT WAS SEEN IN CLINIC ON (B)(6) 2021. IT WAS NOTED THAT THE PATIENT HAD MULTIPLE ADVISORY ALARMS. LOW VOLTAGE ON (B)(6) 2021. THE PATIENT STATED THAT THIS HAPPENS ON A SPECIFIC SET OF BATTERIES. THE BATTERIES WERE EXCHANGED. THE PATIENT'S CONTROLLER WAS ALSO SHOWING WEAR, GREEN LIQUID WAS COMING OUT OF A PINPOINT HOLE. THE CONTROLLER WAS EXCHANGED. A LOG FILE WAS SENT IN FOR REVIEW WHICH FOUND A LOW SPEED ADVISORY ON (B)(6) 2021. THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO CONFIRM THE CAUSE OF THE SPEED DROP. POSSIBLE CAUSES ARE SOMETHING THAT PASSED THROUGH THE PUMP OR WOULD INDICATE A DRIVELINE ISSUE. THE LOG FILE ALSO CONFIRMED A LOW BATTERY ADVISORY ON (B)(6) 2021 DUE TO THE PATIENT WAITING TOO LONG TO REPLACE THE BATTERIES. THERE WERE NO OTHER NOTABLE ALARM CONDITIONS IN THE LOG FILE. NO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 11577008 ↗MalfunctionMar 24, 2021Decreased Pump Speed; Pumping Stopped; Insufficient Device Problem Information; Decreased Pump Speed; Pumping Stopped; Insufficient Device Problem Information
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE PATIENT CHANGED THEIR CONTROLLER ON (B)(6) 2021 AFTER HEARING ALARMS AT HOME.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 11563944 ↗MalfunctionMar 1, 2021Electrical /Electronic Property Problem; Electrical /Electronic Property Problem
IT WAS REPORTED THAT ON (B)(6) 2020 THE PATIENT HAD MULTIPLE ICD DEFIBRILLATION SHOCKS DUE TO MULTIPLE ARRHYTHMIAS (COMBINATION OF VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA AND VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION). THE PATIENT BECAME UNCONSCIOUS AND EMERGENCY SERVICES PROVIDED CPR AND EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATION TO STABILIZE HEART RHYTHM. THE PATIENT WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE LOCAL EMERGENCY ROOM WHERE A CONTROLLER FAULT ALARM OCCURRED. THE CONTROLLER WAS EXCHANGED TO THE BACKUP AND NO OTHER ACTIVE ALARMS OCCURRED. THE PATIENT WAS CONNECTED TO AN UNGROUNDED POWER MODULE PATIENT CABLE AFTER MULTIPLE PUMP STOPS OCCURRED DUE TO SHORT-TO-SHIELD DAMAGE OF THE DRIVELINE CABLE. THE PRIMARY CONTROLLER LOG FILE CONFIRMED A PUMP STOP AT 14:46 WITH NO FURTHER RECORD. THE BACKUP CONTROLLER LOG FILE SHOWED MULTIPLE PUMP STOPS DUE TO SHORT-TO-SHIELD EVENTS. AFTER CONNECTING TO THE UNGROUNDED PATIENT CABLE THERE WERE NO FURTHER ISSUES. RAMP TEST CONFIRMED ADEQUATE LEFT VENTRICLE UNLOADING WITH LVAD INFLOW CANNULA IN SUB-OPTIMAL POSITION. THE PATIENT WAS EXTUBATED AND THERE WERE NO ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES DUE TO THE EVENT. THE VAD TEAM DECIDED TO ADJUST SPEED AND FLUID BALANCE TO ENLARGE LVEDD AND LIMIT POTENTIAL CONTACT OF INFLOW WITH
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 11392132 ↗MalfunctionJan 29, 2021Electrical Power Problem; Electrical Power Problem
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE PATIENT HAD INTERMITTENT ALARMS. THE PATIENT REPORTED THAT BY THE TIME HE LOOKED AT HIS CONTROLLER THERE WERE NO LONGER ALARM LIGHTS. ON INTERROGATION, THE ACCOUNT FOUND THAT THE PATIENT HAD SEVERAL LOW VOLTAGE ALARMS FROM 10:53 AND 11:01. THE PATIENT'S BLACK CABLE COIL WAS BROKEN ON ONE SIDE BUT DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE ANY CUTS IN THE CABLE. THE ALARMS WERE NOT REPRODUCIBLE. LOG FILES WERE SUBMITTED. A REVIEW OF THE LOG FILES NOTED SEVERAL LOW VOLTAGE HAZARD EVENTS WHILE ON BATTERY POWER. THERE WERE SOME ODD VOLTAGES SEEN IN THE LOG FILE WHICH COULD POINT TO A BATTERY CLIP OR CONTROLLER ISSUE, OR BOTH. TECHNICAL SUPPORT RECOMMENDED THAT THE ACCOUNT CHECK THE INTEGRITY AND CLEANLINESS OF THE PATIENT'S BATTERY CLIP CONTACTS. A CONTROLLER EXCHANGE MAY BE NEEDED IF THE BEND RELIEF IS CRACKED ON THE BLACK POWER LEAD. THE CONTROLLER WAS EXCHANGED AND WAS RETURNED. THE ALARMS RESOLVED. THE PATIENT'S BATTERIES AND BATTERY CLIPS WERE ALL CHECKED FOR INTEGRITY.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 11253626 ↗MalfunctionJan 28, 2021Noise, Audible; Noise, Audible
IT WAS REPORTED THAT WHEN THE PATIENT INITIATES A CONTROLLER SELF TEST, THE SOUND FLICKERS. THE CONTROLLER WILL BE EXCHANGED.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions
MAUDE report 11247640 ↗MalfunctionSep 25, 2020Mechanical Problem; Material Deformation; Material Split, Cut or Torn; Mechanical Problem; Material Deformation; Material Split, Cut or Torn
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE PATIENT HAD A TEAR AND EXPOSED INTERNAL WIRES OF THE BLACK POWER CORD. THE CONTROLLER WAS EXCHANGED. THE PATIENT HAD NO SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS EVENT. THE CAUSE OF THE TEAR WAS UNKNOWN. THE PLAN OF CARE WAS FOR ROUTINE FOLLOW UPS AND EDUCATION TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE POWER CABLES.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions; No Code Available
MAUDE report 10588563 ↗MalfunctionSep 24, 2020Material Deformation; Material Integrity Problem; Insufficient Device Problem Information; Material Deformation; Material Integrity Problem; Insufficient Device Problem Information
IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE PATIENT HAD SYSTEM CONTROLLER FAULTS AND DAMAGE TO WHITE LEAD COMING OFF POCKET CONTROLLER. THE CONTROLLER WAS CHANGED OUT. PATIENT INTERNATIONAL NORMALIZED RATIO IS NORMAL AND THE PATIENT IS STABLE.
Patient problems: No Clinical Signs, Symptoms or Conditions; No Consequences Or Impact To Patient
MAUDE report 10580182 ↗
Other Ventricular (Assisst) Bypass devices
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- HVAD Pump Implant Kit 1103Heartware Inc. · Ventricular (Assist) Bypass6 recalls424 deaths2,952 reports
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Sources: FDA GUDID, MAUDE and Medical Device Recalls via openFDA. openFDA data is not validated for clinical or regulatory use.