Medtronic SynchroMed EL (Model No: 8626 and 8627)… recallZ-1062-2011 · Medtronic, Inc. - Neuromodulation · initiated Jan 14, 2011
Terminated All recalls posted in February 2011
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, Inc. - 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
This letter provides important reminders concerning the potential for a pocket fill during a SynchroMed II or SynchroMed EL implantable drug pump refill procedure, and important patient management recommendations that will be added to our product labeling. A pocket fill is the inadvertent injection of all or some of the prescribed drug into the patients subcutaneous tissue, which includes the pum
FDA root cause category: Other
What the company is doing
The firm, Medtronic, sent an "Urgent Medical Device Correction Cover " letter dated January 2011 to all customers. Enclosed with each letter, an "Urgent Medical Device Correction Important Clinical Information about Pocket Fills" letter dated January 2011 as well as a Clinician Refill Reference Card, Refill Appointment Cards, Physician Reply Card and a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope. The letter described the product, problem and actions to be taken by the customers. The customers were instructed to always check the needle placement within the pump septum throughout the procedure to help perform a successful refill; be aware that the pump refill difficulty may increase due to a variety of factors (listed); monitor the patient closely for signs and symptoms of overdose according to the provided instructions. Note: Medtronic is in the process of supplementing the labeling related to improper injection with the information included in this communication. Patients with questions are encouraged to talk with their physician or contact Medtronic Patient Services at 1-800-510-6735, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT. Physicians with medical questions related to this issue or Medtronic therapies should contact Medtronic at 1-800-328-0810, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT. UPDATE - June 2013 - Medtronic Field Representative began notifying Healthcare Professionals June 3,2013,via visit to deliver and discuss the Pump Refill Procedure Safety Update letter. The letter informs clinicians that SynchroMed Implantable Infusion System labeling and the Clinician Refill Reference Card have been updated. The labeling and reference card were updated to provide important reminders concerning the potential for a pocket fill during a SynchroMed II or SynchroMed EL implantable drug pump refill procedure. The Medtronic Rep will complete a Physician Notification Confirmation form documenting the delivery of the information. A copy of the recall notification letter a
Recall details
- Recall number
- Z-1062-2011
- Recall class
- Not yet classified by the FDA
- Status
- Terminated
- Initiated by the company
- Jan 14, 2011
- Posted by the FDA
- Feb 10, 2011
- Recalling firm
- Medtronic, Inc. - Neuromodulation
- Quantity
- 91,369 total for all devices.
- Product code
- LKK
- FDA submissions
- P860004
- Distribution
- Worldwide distribution: USA including DC and PR and countries including: AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, HONG KONG, TAIWAN, CHINA, SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA, INDONESIA, SOUTH KOREA, THAILAND, ARUBA, AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, BOLIVIA, BRAZIL, CANADA, CHILE, COLOMBIA, COSTA RICA, CROATIA, CYPRUS, CZECH REPUBLIC, DENMARK, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, FAROE ISLANDS, FINLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, GREECE, GUADELOUPE, HUNGARY, ICELAND, INDIA, IRELAND, ISRAEL, ITALY, JAMAICA, JORDAN, KUWAIT, LEBANON, LITHUANIA, LUXEMBOURG, MALTA, MARTINIQUE, MEXICO, MOROCCO, NETHERLANDS, NETHERLANDS ANTI LES, NORWAY, PANAMA, POLAND, PORTUGAL, QATAR, REUNION, ROMANIA, SAN MARINO, SAUDI ARABIA, SLOVAKIA, SOUTH AFRICA, SPAIN, SRI LANKA, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND, TUNISIA, TURKEY, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, UNITED KINGDOM, URUGUAY, and VATICAN CITY.
Product description
Medtronic SynchroMed EL (Model No: 8626 and 8627) implantable drug pump The SynchroMed EL Infusion System is indicated for use when patient therapy requires the chronic infusion of drugs or fluids. The SynchroMed EL Infusion System with a 10 mL reservoir volume is indicated for use in the smaller patient who has insufficient body mass to support the larger SynchroMed EL pump or in patients who choose a smaller, lower profile pump when presented with the choice, when patient therapy requires the chronic infusion of drugs or fluids referred to in this manual.
Code information (models, lots, serial numbers)
All units of these pump models are affected. Updates will be conducted on the Labeling, Training and Education Materials and the Refill Template which is included with the refill kits wil be redesigned.
Other devices under the same FDA submission
51 devices cleared under P860004 — the recall does not name any of them by identifier. One submission often covers many models, so they may or may not be affected.
- SYNCHROMED® II 8637-40Medtronic, Inc. · PUMP, INFUSION, IMPLANTED, PROGRAMMABLE1 recall7 deaths4,929 reports
- SYNCHROMED® II 8637-20Medtronic, Inc. · PUMP, INFUSION, IMPLANTED, PROGRAMMABLE2 recalls5 deaths4,303 reports
- SYNCHROMED ® II 8637-40Medtronic, Inc. · PUMP, INFUSION, IMPLANTED, PROGRAMMABLE1 recall6 deaths4,119 reports
- SYNCHROMED® II 8637-40Medtronic, Inc. · PUMP, INFUSION, IMPLANTED, PROGRAMMABLE2 recalls10 deaths3,054 reports
- SYNCHROMED ® II 8637-20Medtronic, Inc. · PUMP, INFUSION, IMPLANTED, PROGRAMMABLE1 recall4 deaths3,084 reports
- SYNCHROMED® II 8637-20Medtronic, Inc. · PUMP, INFUSION, IMPLANTED, PROGRAMMABLE2 recalls1 death2,588 reports
- SynchroMed® II 8637-40Medtronic, Inc. · PUMP, INFUSION, IMPLANTED, PROGRAMMABLE1 recall6 deaths2,291 reports
- SYNCHROMED® II 8637-20Medtronic, Inc. · Pump, infusion, implanted, programmable1 recall3 deaths2,242 reports
- SYNCHROMED® II 8637-40Medtronic, Inc. · Pump, infusion, implanted, programmable1 recall4 deaths1,964 reports
- SynchroMed® II 8637-20Medtronic, Inc. · PUMP, INFUSION, IMPLANTED, PROGRAMMABLE1 recall4 deaths1,920 reports
- SYNCHROMED™ III 8667-20Medtronic, Inc. · Pump, infusion, implanted, programmable1 death1,937 reports
- SYNCHROMED ® II 8637-20Medtronic, Inc. · PUMP, INFUSION, IMPLANTED, PROGRAMMABLE2 deaths1,766 reports
Other products in the same recall event
The FDA groups related products into one recall event (event 57651).
- Z-1060-2011 · TerminatedMedtronic SynchroMed II (Model No: 8637) implantable drug pump The SynchroMed II Programmable Pump is indicated when patient therapy requires the chronic infusion of the follow…
- Z-1061-2011 · TerminatedMedtronic SynchroMed implantable drug pump Refill Kits (Model No: 8551, 8555, 8561, 8562, 8564, 8565, 8566 The Model 8551, 8555, 8561, 8562, 8564, 8565, and 8566 Refill Kits ar…
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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