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Recall Observatory FDA recall evidence

Exact FDA event identifier

Event 81096

1 recalled-product record grouped only because every row carries this exact official event ID.

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Event summary

Timeline bucket
September 12, 2018
Product types
Device
Classifications
Class II
Statuses
Terminated
Recalling firm wording
Howmedica Osteonics Corp.

Dossier provenance

Source snapshots represented here

  • openFDA Device Enforcement Report-date coverage June 20, 2012–July 08, 2026 Known gap: openFDA describes 2004-present coverage, but the current export has no report-date records in this interval.
  • openFDA Device Recall event_date_initiated coverage June 01, 1997–June 30, 2026

Enforcement coverage uses report dates; product initiation dates can precede those bounds. Device-enrichment coverage uses FDA event_date_initiated.

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Complete imported group

Every recalled product in this event

1 official enforcement rows

Product dates, classifications, firms, and source wording remain attached to their individual rows. Opening this dossier never hides products that did not match a prior timeline filter.

device · product 1 of 1

Tritanium TL Steerable Inserter, Cat. No. 48930000, UDI 07613327381900 Product Usage: The TL Steerable Inserter is a Class 1 instrument which is provided in a non-sterile condition. The inserter is designed to enter the disc space, with a fixed engagement between the inserter and the cage and then rotate for desired placement. The three components of the TL Steerable Inserter System include: 1. TL Steerable Inserter 2. TL Steerable Inserter Inner Shaft 3. TL Steerable Inserter Driver

Z-0207-2019
Recall number
Z-0207-2019
Initiated
September 12, 2018
Classification
Class II
Status
Terminated
Recalling firm
Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
Quantity
58

App-derived interpretation

Unknown reason.no_named_rule · v1.0.0
The firm received complaints related to the locking mechanism on the steerable inserter not functioning as intended. The firm confirmed that the issue is related to lack of lubrication of the instrument. There are two potential hazards associated with the implant pivoting unexpectedly during implant insertion into the disc space. First, if the implant is initially inserted into the disc space via the impaction method and the implant pivots unexpectedly, the implant potentially may unintentionally contact sensitive anatomy. Additionally, the user may potentially experience difficulty positioning the implant within the disc space due to the lack of rigidity. A third potential hazard is associated with the inserter not unlocking at the articulating pivot head during implant positioning within the disc space. Once the implant is in the prepared disc space and contacts the ventral annulus, the surgeon unlocks the articulating pivot head and positions the implant perpendicular to the spinous process. The surgeon may then elect to lock/unlock the articulating pivot head for desired final positioning of the implant. If the inserter does not unlock during these final implant positioning steps, the user may potentially implant the cage in a suboptimal trajectory/placement.

These labels are deterministic app interpretations, not FDA categories.

Official device-enrichment evidence · Unknown

An exact joined enrichment record exists, but none supplies supported root-cause wording. This is not an FDA finding of an unknown cause.

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Reason for recall

The firm received complaints related to the locking mechanism on the steerable inserter not functioning as intended. The firm confirmed that the issue is related to lack of lubrication of the instrument. There are two potential hazards associated with the implant pivoting unexpectedly during implant insertion into the disc space. First, if the implant is initially inserted into the disc space via the impaction method and the implant pivots unexpectedly, the implant potentially may unintentionally contact sensitive anatomy. Additionally, the user may potentially experience difficulty positioning the implant within the disc space due to the lack of rigidity. A third potential hazard is associated with the inserter not unlocking at the articulating pivot head during implant positioning within the disc space. Once the implant is in the prepared disc space and contacts the ventral annulus, the surgeon unlocks the articulating pivot head and positions the implant perpendicular to the spinous process. The surgeon may then elect to lock/unlock the articulating pivot head for desired final positioning of the implant. If the inserter does not unlock during these final implant positioning steps, the user may potentially implant the cage in a suboptimal trajectory/placement.

Code information

All lots

Distribution pattern

US Nationwide Distribution.