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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently decided to recall 465,000 pacemakers due to security issues.
Regulators feared that certain vulnerabilities with these devices would allow hackers to access and reprogram them, possibly putting patients’ lives at risk.
The recall includes several devices from Abbot, formerly known as St. Jude Medical, according to the FDA safety communication:
The recall excludes implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization ICDs.
Fortunately, those affected by the recall will not need to have their device removed and replaced. The security issues can be fixed with a simple upgrade to the software, which was approved by the FDA on Aug. 23.
The update takes only about three minutes, and while the update is being done, the device will go into backup mode, ensuring the essential features of the device continue operating.
Once the update is made, any device that attempts to communicate with the pacemaker must provide authorization, which will help prevent hackers from taking control of these devices. This functionality will be included in all pacemakers manufactured on or after Aug. 28.
The FDA advises patients to talk to their doctors to determine when they can receive the update and if they have any questions or concerns about it.
The FDA is unaware of any reports of patients being harmed due to the security vulnerability in the affected devices. However, hackers have pointed out that the vulnerability creates the possibility of patients being harmed.
The FDA is reminding patients, health care providers and caregivers that medical devices connected to communications networks, such as wi-fi, may have cybersecurity vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit.
However, wireless technology and software in medical devices help to create safer, more efficient, convenient and timely delivery of health care services.
Have you been injured by a defective product?
Schedule a free, no obligation consultation with our experienced product liability attorneys in Milwaukee to determine your legal options. You could be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering, medical bills, and various other damages.
We represent those harmed by a wide variety of products, from medical devices like DePuy hip replacements to defective car parts, children’s products and construction equipment.
We take cases on contingency, so you will not be charged legal fees unless you receive compensation.
Contact PKSD today by calling 414-333-3333.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Jeffery A. Pitman, who has more than 28 years of legal experience and handled thousands of personal injury cases while obtaining millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and New Mexico.
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