Elevated risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Nimbus Pump System recall: Recall due to a high number (3698) of customer complaints related

Recall published 2+ years ago

Recall due to a high number (3698) of customer complaints related to the Nimbus Infusion Pump systems

Nimbus Medical devices — recalled medical devices
Photo published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Device safety concern

The manufacturer or the FDA identified a problem with this device. The model, lot and catalogue numbers are what define the scope.

What the notice says: Drug product egress from certain administration set bonding points, which may potentially result in drug product leaking from the device.

Why it matters: The FDA recorded an enforcement action against this device. Most device recalls are corrections rather than removals, so the device often stays in use while the manufacturer issues a fix.

Recall details

Published
March 20, 2024
Risk level
Elevated risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Nimbus
Product type
Medical devices
Distribution
Nationwide
UPC codes
00817170020000, 00817170020086, 00817170020093, 00817170020161, 00817170020376, 00817170020109

Products covered by this recall

Nimbus Pump System

What the company announced

Natick, MA, March 20, 2024 – InfuTronix, LLC has announced a voluntary recall of the Nimbus Ambulatory Infusion Pump System, including Nimbus II PainPro, Nimbus II Flex, Nimbus II Plus, Nimbus II EpiD and Nimbus II EMS from the US Market due to a high number (3698) of customer complaints related to the Nimbus Infusion Pump systems dated May 2019 to August 2023. Evaluation of complaint data has identified several potential product issues:

Battery Power may potentially affect the performance of the pump by causing an immediate power off event.

Upstream Occlusion, as noted by the upstream occlusion alarm, occurs when there is a block in flow of the proximal end of the administration set.

System Errors, as noted by the System Error alarm which causes the pump to suspend the infusion.

Drug product egress from certain administration set bonding points, which may potentially result in drug product leaking from the device.

Flow Rate (high or low) which may potentially lead to the pump infusing an inaccurate delivery of the drug.

Pump Housing design which may potentially result in damage over time to certain areas of the housing responsible for administration set engagement, leading to false occlusions and flow rate inaccuracies.

These product issues were identified through the InfuTronix post-market surveillance system and evaluated through the InfuTronix Corrective Action/Preventive Action (CAPA) system. InfuTronix has determined that the best corrective and preventive action to address the identified product issues and potential outcomes is a redesign of the Nimbus Infusion Pump system. The redesign of the system will allow InfuTronix to improve several aspects of the product including mechanics, electronics, software, and housing design as well as aspects of the administration set. Given the number of anticipated design improvements and the extensive requirement for design, verification, and validation, InfuTronix believes a new premarket notification(s) and clearance from FDA may be required. As such, InfuTronix is seeking to remove the system from the market while these improvements and design changes are being made and a new clearance(s) is obtained.

A health hazard evaluation (HHE) was performed by an independent physician to evaluate routine post-market complaint failure modes associated with the Nimbus family of infusion pumps. The HHE determined that the common device failure modes pose a low risk to users.

The Nimbus Infusion Pump system has been distributed throughout the United States since October 17, 2014 until February 21, 2024. It has never been distributed internationally.

Affected devices have the following Unique Device Identification numbers associated with them:

Nimbus Ambulatory Infusion Pump 00817170020000

Nimbus II PainPRO 00817170020086

Nimbus II Flex 00817170020093

Nimbus II Plus 00817170020161

Nimbus II EpiD 00817170020376

Nimbus II EMS 00817170020109

Users may continue to use the Nimbus Infusion Pump system and associated infusion sets during this removal process. Users should be aware of the signs indicating a potential issue with the pump (How to recognize that a device may fail):

Battery – The infusion pump will brown out (fail-safe). The user will see that the pump has shut off. Additionally, the LED screen may flicker prior to failure, indicating a potential battery issue.

Upstream Occlusion - Auditory and visual occlusion alarm alerts the user of the occlusion.

System Error - Auditory and visual system error alarm will alert the user.

Drug Product Egress – The user may notice leaking drug from the pump pouch or infusion set or feel wetness from the drug product.

Flow Rate (high/low) - Auditory and visual occlusion alarm for low flow will alert the user of occlusion. The user will notice residual volume remaining at the end of therapy. High flow rate may be associated with shortened infusion times.

Pump Housing Damage - The user may notice broken latches, hinges, or cracks in the housing and/or user may notice that the device is difficult to assemble prior to use.

Infutronix has already notified customers with a letter that details the products impacted, reason for the voluntary removal, risk to health assessment, how to recognize the device may fail and actions to be taken by the customer/user.

The continued use of the Nimbus Infusion Pump system and associated infusion sets is safe during this removal process. Users should be aware of the signs indicating a potential issue with the pump as described above, “How to recognize that a device may fail”.

As with any use, health care providers (HCPs) should read the Instructions for Use (IFU) and follow those closely to ensure proper performance of the pump with its associated accessory set. Further, HCPs should educate patients on proper use of the pump and accessories, and potential operational concerns. As a reminder to HCPs,

When replacing batteries, only new batteries should be used. Care should be taken to ensure that old and new batteries are not confused when completing the replacement. When resetting the battery state, HCPs are encouraged to pay close attention to the device indicator lights and LED screen indicating battery life.

HCPs should take care to clear an occlusion alarm properly. The battery should not be cycled (turned on/off) to clear the occlusion alarm. If the occlusion alarm cannot be cleared, a new pump should be used. Patients should be educated that silencing the alarm does not clear the occlusion.

Due to the potential ambulatory use of the pump, patients may carry the drug product dispensing pouch in a carrying pack. Patients should be educated that impeding the tubing set or placing pressure on the device (leaning against it, sitting on it) may cause the device to malfunction.

HCPs are encouraged to educate patients on potential drug leakage and establish appropriate containment protocols for users to follow.

HCPs should ensure users are educated to recognize audio and visual alarms and inspect their device for damage. Any difficulties or abnormalities noted with the pump or accessories should result in immediate discontinued use of the pump and notification to the HCP.

Customers of InfuTronix who have Nimbus Infusion Pumps and associated infusion sets in their possession should contact InfuTronix customer service at [email protected] , where they will be instructed on the Return Material Authorization (RMA) process to be followed for returning both the Nimbus Infusion Pumps and associated infusion sets. Customers who purchase the Nimbus Infusion Pump and/or associated infusion sets from a distributor should contact their distributor directly and receive instructions on the RMA process to be followed.

As the device will not be available or supported after June 20, 2024, InfuTronix encourages the healthcare provider to seek alternative methods of drug product infusion appropriate for their patient’s needs, based on their medical expertise, at the earliest possible opportunity.

InfuTronix is removing the Nimbus Infusion Pump Systems from the market. The products will no longer be supported by InfuTronix for either Nimbus Infusion Pumps or related infusion sets beyond June 20, 2024. To return Nimbus products customers should follow the instructions provided in the Medical Device Removal letter that was sent by InfuTronix, contact InfuTronix customer service or their local distributor.

For further inquiries, please contact InfuTronix [email protected] or call 508-650-2008, Option 8, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:30AM and 5:00PM, Eastern Time (ET).

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

Complete and submit the report Online

Regular Mail or Fax: Download form or call 1- 800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

Check your product

The notice names 6 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

UPC / barcode

Read the twelve digits under the barcode on the package.

  • 00817170020000
  • 00817170020086
  • 00817170020093
  • 00817170020161
  • 00817170020376
  • 00817170020109

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Device

Nimbus — The manufacturer or the FDA identified a problem with this device. The model, lot and catalogue numbers are what define the scope.

  1. Match the model, catalogue, lot and serial numbers on your device against the identifiers on this page.
  2. If you are a facility, quarantine affected stock and log the correction.
  3. Report device problems to the FDA through MedWatch.
  4. If the device is implanted or you depend on it daily, speak to your clinician before changing how you use it.

Who pays for a device recall

The manufacturer funds the remedy. The practical question is usually which link in the chain executes it.

  • If a clinic fitted or supplied the device, start there — they hold the serial-number records the manufacturer needs.
  • Ask for written confirmation that the remedy was applied to your serial number. That is what an insurer or a future clinician will want to see.
  • If you bought it yourself online or from a pharmacy, go to the manufacturer’s recall page rather than the retailer; device claims are handled centrally.
  • Where the remedy is a software update, there is nothing to claim, but do confirm the version changed afterwards.

Remedy named in the notice: Care should be taken to ensure that old and new batteries are not confused when completing the replacement.

Company contact: InfuTronix, LLC — Consumers: InfuTronix Customer Service, 508-650-2008, [email protected]

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Nimbus medical devices recalled?

Recall due to a high number (3698) of customer complaints related to the Nimbus Infusion Pump systems Drug product egress from certain administration set bonding points, which may potentially result in drug product leaking from the device.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: UPC 00817170020000, 00817170020086, 00817170020093. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

Match the model, catalogue, lot and serial numbers on your device against the identifiers on this page.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Care should be taken to ensure that old and new batteries are not confused when completing the replacement.

Where was the recalled product sold?

It was distributed nationwide.

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