Medtronic Activa PC, model 37601, and Activa RC, model… recallZ-0279-2014 · Medtronic Neuromodulation · initiated Sep 30, 2013
Class II Terminated All recalls posted in November 2013
Is my device affected?
- Compare the model, catalog and lot or serial numbers on your device or its packaging with the code information below. A recall usually covers only specific models or lots.
- If yours is listed, follow the instructions from Medtronic Neuromodulation or your healthcare provider. The company's action is summarized under what the company is doing.
- Do not stop using a prescribed or implanted device on your own — talk to your healthcare provider first.
Where to find your model and lot numbers · What recall classes and statuses mean
Why it was recalled
Medtronic notified customers regarding Loss of Stimulation of specific Implantable Neuro-Stimulators under the following specific conditions: Switching between groups with Multiple programs or creating program groups. Therapy can be restored with the Physician Recharge mode (RPM) of the Implantable Neurostimulator Recharger (INSR).
FDA root cause category: Software design
What the company is doing
In September 2013 Medtronic issued a medical device correction letter titled "Loss of Stimulation and Over Stimulation" to customers associated with the affected Medtronic neurostimulators. This letter informed customers of the potential for these issues to occur and provided recommendations to significantly reduce the likelihood of the issues. Medtronic field representatives will be updating the model 8870 software application card to version AAR/01, which is contained in the physician programmer. A Physician Reply Form was asked to be signed and returned by fax or mail for acknowledging the receipt of the Urgent Medical Device Correction letter. When the Medtronic field rep updates the software application card of the physicains' programmer, they will complete a Rep Reply For: 8870 Card Update to AAR/01.
Recall details
- Recall number
- Z-0279-2014
- Recall class
- Class II
- Status
- Terminated
- Initiated by the company
- Sep 30, 2013
- Posted by the FDA
- Nov 14, 2013
- Recalling firm
- Medtronic Neuromodulation
- Quantity
- 62,634
- Product code
- MHY
- FDA submissions
- P960009
- Distribution
- Worldwide distribution: US (Nationwide) including Puerto Rico; and countries of: Algeria, Aruba, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guadeloupe, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Martinique, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Reunion, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Product description
Medtronic Activa PC, model 37601, and Activa RC, model 37612, Activa SC, models 37602 and 37603. Multi-program Rechargeable Neurostimulator for Deep Brain Stimulation.
Code information (models, lots, serial numbers)
all serial numbers
Other devices under the same FDA submission
90 devices cleared under P960009 — the recall does not name any of them by identifier. One submission often covers many models, so they may or may not be affected.
- ACTIVA RC 37612Medtronic, Inc. · STIMULATOR, ELECTRICAL, IMPLANTED, FOR PARKINSONIAN SYMPTOMS2,839 reports
- Activa® RC 37612Medtronic, Inc. · STIMULATOR, ELECTRICAL, IMPLANTED, FOR PARKINSONIAN TREMOR2 deaths1,849 reports
- ACTIVA PC 37601Medtronic, Inc. · implanted subcortical electrical Stimulator (motor disorders)15 deaths1,625 reports
- Activa® 37612Medtronic, Inc. · STIMULATOR, ELECTRICAL, IMPLANTED, FOR PARKINSONIAN SYMPTOMS1,325 reports
- Activa® 37603Medtronic, Inc. · STIMULATOR, ELECTRICAL, IMPLANTED, FOR PARKINSONIAN TREMOR8 deaths1,093 reports
- Percept™ RC B35300Medtronic, Inc. · Stimulator, electrical, implanted, for parkinsonian symptoms1 recall3 deaths796 reports
- Activa® 37602Medtronic, Inc. · Deep brain stimulator for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)1 recall6 deaths777 reports
- Percept™ PC BrainSense™ B35200Medtronic, Inc. · Deep brain stimulator for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)4 recalls1 death547 reports
- Percept™ PC BrainSense™ B35200Medtronic, Inc. · Stimulator, thalamic, epilepsy, implanted1 recall5 deaths543 reports
- Percept™ PC BrainSense™ B35200Medtronic, Inc. · Stimulator, thalamic, epilepsy, implanted1 recall478 reports
- Activa® PC 37601Medtronic, Inc. · STIMULATOR, ELECTRICAL, IMPLANTED, FOR PARKINSONIAN SYMPTOMS3 deaths521 reports
- Activa® PC 37601Medtronic, Inc. · implanted subcortical electrical Stimulator (motor disorders)1 death502 reports
Other products in the same recall event
The FDA groups related products into one recall event (event 66506).
- Z-0278-2014 · TerminatedMedtronic RestoreUltra, model 37712, and RestoreSensor, model 37714, Multi-program Rechargeable Neurostimulator for Spinal Cord Stimulation.
Sources and updates
- Recall record: FDA Medical Device Recalls, file dated Oct 16, 2026 · View the FDA recall notice ↗
- Devices: FDA GUDID, file dated Oct 13, 2026. Devices are linked when their identifier (with a valid check digit) appears in the recall's code information.
- Page last rebuilt: Oct 18, 2026. Text above is shown as published by the FDA.
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