Friday, April 10, 2009

Zoll Medical recalls defibrillators

By Mass High Tech staff

Zoll Medical Corp. has recalled its AED Plus Defibrillators due to malfunctioning batteries and self-test software that fails to detect defective batteries.

The Chelmsford-based medical device firm makes these defibrillators for use by medical personnel, as well as the general public, in treating patients undergoing cardiac arrest. The defibrillators work by detecting the heart rhythm of the unconscious patient; defibrillator users then send a shock to the patient’s heart, by pressing a button on the device, that triggers a normal heart rhythm.

Letters sent to customers alerted them of the problem in February, with a second letter being sent in March. Initially, Zoll (Nasdaq: ZOLL) recommended its customers replace defibrillator batteries every three years. The second letter suggested customers instead download new software for the defibrillators, according to information posted to the Zoll Medical website.

Zoll makes devices and associated software for cardiac pacing, defibrillation, circulation, ventilation, and fluid resuscitation. It sells its products in more than 140 countries.