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Natick, MA (September 24, 2004) -- Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:
BSX) today announced that its subsidiary, Advanced Bionics Corporation of
Sylmar, California, is voluntarily recalling worldwide all unimplanted
CLARION® and HiResolution® cochlear implants. Boston Scientific acquired
Advanced Bionics in June. The recall does not affect patients who have
already received a cochlear implant. The Company is recalling the devices
due to the potential presence of moisture in the internal circuitry, which
can cause the device to stop functioning. The Company is not aware of any
patient injuries resulting from the potential presence of moisture, but
the malfunction may require replacement of the device. The total number of
devices shipped but not implanted is estimated to be 440. The Company is
working with the U. S. Food and Drug Administration and is notifying
officials in other countries.
The recalled devices include all unimplanted CLARION and HiResolution
models. The Company initiated the recall after a review of internal
complaint records and analysis of returned product revealed the potential
problem.
The signs and symptoms that a cochlear implant might be starting to fail
include: a sudden sensation of discomfort or pain, a sudden loud noise or
popping sound, an intermittent functioning, a complete loss of sound, and
in a child, unwillingness to wear the external headpiece. If a user
experiences any of these, he or she should try the backup cable, external
headpiece, and then the sound processor. If signs or symptoms persist, the
external headpiece should be removed and the user should contact his or
her hearing care provider. Hearing clinics have a simple and quick way to
test whether a cochlear implant is fully functional.
The products were distributed to hospitals and cochlear implant centers
worldwide. Advanced Bionics is notifying the recipients via telephone,
facsimile and mail.
Advanced Bionics is also sending letters to physicians and patients who
are using these devices. In the United States, cochlear implant users have
cards that identify the make and model of their device.
Clinician and patient inquiries may be directed to Advanced Bionics at
1-877-454-5038, between the hours of 5 AM and 5 PM Pacific Time, Monday
through Friday.
Cochlear implants are devices used to treat the profoundly deaf. The
technology consists of an external sound processor, which captures and
processes sound information from the environment and transmits the digital
information through the skin to the implant. The implant delivers digital
pulses of electrical current to precise locations on the auditory nerve,
which the brain perceives as sound.
Advanced Bionics generated revenues of $56 million in 2003.
Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of
medical devices whose products are used in a broad range of interventional
medical specialties. For more information, please visit:
www.bostonscientific.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements. The Company wishes
to caution the reader that actual results may differ from those discussed
in the forward-looking statements and may be adversely affected by, among
other things, risks associated with the regulatory process, litigation,
competitive product offerings and other factors described in the Company's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
