Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are designed to help those who suffer from sleep apnea breathe more freely through the night. These medical devices are prescribed by doctors and other medical professionals who help patients cope with breathing disorders that inhibit oxygen intake.
In June 2021, manufacturing company Philips Respironics recalled several of its CPAP, BiPAP (bilevel positive airway pressure), and ventilator machines. The recall was due to a potential health risk. The polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR) foam used in machines to reduce sound and vibration was shown to break down, disintegrating into small pieces that could be inhaled or swallowed by the user. This could result in severely adverse health effects or even death to users.
If you use one of these machines to treat sleep apnea, you may be wondering: Which CPAP machines are recalled? Using a recalled device could cause serious health conditions. The product liability lawyers at Thomas Law Offices provide a list below of recalled CPAPs, BiPAPs, and ventilators.
Was your CPAP machine recalled? If a defective product caused you injury, the experienced attorneys at Thomas Law Offices may be able to help you recover compensation for your losses.
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Recalled CPAP Machines
Those who use CPAP machines know that proper care and maintenance are important to keeping your medical device in top working order. However, there are some issues that no amount of care can prevent. If a medical device is designed or manufactured in such a way that it can cause harm to the user, it is a defective device.
A recall is intended to alert users to an inherent flaw in a product. In the recent CPAP recall, Philips Respironics voluntarily recalled millions of CPAP and BiPAP machines and ventilators after the foam degradation issue came to light. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published the recall to alert the public in June 2021.
The information contained in a product recall is essential to your health and safety. If you use a CPAP, BiPAP, or ventilator from the list below, speak with your doctor immediately to determine the best course of action for your future medical care.
Which CPAP, BiPAP, and Ventilator Machines Are Recalled?
The following medical devices from Philips Respironics are recalled due to safety concerns:
- E30
- DreamStation ASV
- DreamStation ST, AVAPS
- SystemOne ASV4
- C-Series ASV
- C-Series S/t and AVAPS
- OmniLab Advanced+
- SystemOne Q-Series
- DreamStation
- DreamStation Go
- Dorma 400
- Dorma 500
- REMstar SE Auto
- Trilogy 100
- Trilogy 200
- Garbin Plus, Aeris, LifeVent
- A-Series BiPAP Hybrid A30
- A-Series BiPAP V30 Auto
- A-Series BiPAP A40
- A-Series BiPAP A30
If you were using one of these machines and suffered injury or illness as a result, Thomas Law Offices can protect you. We’ll defend your rights as a consumer and hold the manufacturer accountable for negligence that caused harm. We have extensive experience with legal matters involving defective medical devices. From personal injury claims to mass litigation, you can be sure that an attorney from Thomas Law Offices has what you need to recover compensation after loss.
Why Were Philips Respironics CPAP Machines Recalled?
What is the reason for the Philips CPAP recall? These CPAP devices were recalled because it was discovered that they present a significant health risk to consumers. A recall gives patients the opportunity to stop use, change treatments, or switch to another device with the guidance of a trusted physician. It’s important to speak with your doctor as soon as you learn of a product recall related to any medical device you use.
As the FDA described in the official recall, the primary machine defect is related to the polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR) foam used to quiet the machine. This foam, it was discovered, can degrade and enter the patient’s body. When the foam disintegrates, it is broken down into pieces small enough to be inhaled (breathed in) or ingested (swallowed). This can have serious health consequences.
The PE-PUR foam is located in the part of the device placed around the user’s mouth and nose. The placement of the foam makes it easy for it to enter the airways or digestive system once broken down. Tiny bits of foam can enter the respiratory system and attach to living tissue, causing the body to quickly absorb the chemicals comprising the foam. Airway obstructions, respiratory infections, organ failure, and severe illness from toxins can result. Some patients have developed cancer as a result of inhaling degraded PE-PUR foam.
Symptoms Caused by Defective CPAP Machines
What side effects does using a recalled Philips CPAP device cause? If you were using one of the CPAP machines on the recall list above, be on the watch for any unusual or troubling symptoms, which may include:
- Headache
- Respiratory tract inflammation
- Sinus infection
- Upper respiratory infection
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Cough
- Chest Pressure
- Asthma
- Hypersensitivity
- Signs of kidney or liver failure
- Toxic effects
- Signs of cancer
- Skin, nose, or eye irritation in areas that have come in contact with the foam
If you used any of the recalled CPAP, BiPAP, or ventilator machines and experienced one or more of these adverse health effects, schedule an appointment with your doctor right away. Your treating physician can properly diagnose and determine the cause of your condition. They will be able to ascertain whether your symptoms were caused by a defective medical device.
Even if you haven’t experienced any symptoms, it’s still important to see your doctor as soon as you are able. Your physician will help you come up with a safe regimen for future sleep apnea treatment. Whether your doctor advises you to use a different machine or look into alternative treatment options, you can be sure that the method you use to treat your breathing condition is a safe one.
Thomas Law Offices Advocates for Injured Victims of Product Defects
Knowing what to do after a CPAP machine recall isn’t always easy. If you suffered harm, it can be even more overwhelming to think about what needs to happen next. You may be working to figure out how to treat your new health problem, afford medical expenses, and deal with your preexisting sleep apnea all at once. The attorneys from Thomas Law Offices understand how much a person’s life can be altered by a defective medical device.
If you or a loved one are considering filing a defective product claim against the manufacturer of a recalled CPAP machine, we can provide expert guidance and support. Contact our office today to discuss your potential case. Our lawyers may be able to help you recover the compensation you need to secure your financial future.
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