The Link Between Hip Implants And Brain Injury

While the physical risks of all-metal hip implants have been extensively documented, scientists are only now learning more about the mental risks.

These devices contain high levels of cobalt. While this metal has not been studied as extensively as mercury, lead and some other heavy metals, researchers firmly believe that cobalt is as toxic to the brain as these other substances. The difficulty in studying the effects of all-metal hip implants on the brain has further hampered efforts, as the best way to conduct such research is to surgically remove the devices. However, doctors can use PET scans to look for early signs of brain injury.

Prominent Dr. Robert Bridges called cobalt the “new mercury” and urged device makers to use other materials.

26 May

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Understanding The Dangers Of The Ethicon Physiomesh

Posted by Gary Logsdon Law

in Defective Medical Devices

Why did the Food and Drug Administration approve the Ethicon hernia mesh, a dangerous medical device that is the subject of thousands of lawsuits and has been linked to at least three wrongful deaths?

The agency, which is supposedly a consumer safety watchdog, approved the Ethicon Physiomesh because it was “substantially similar” to the Prolift vaginal mesh, which was an existing product. Both these medical devices serve basically the same function and they are made from the same basic materials. The Ethicon hernia mesh does have a very thin protective coating, which was apparently enough to convince the FDA that the new product was safe. However, one would think that the Prolift’s history would have given the agency pause. So far, Johnson & Johnson has paid over $120 million in Prolift lawsuit settlements.

17 March

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More People Pursue Hip Replacement Surgery

Posted by Gary Logsdon Law

in Defective Medical Devices

As the market for hip implant procedures continue to expand, the number of defective hip implant lawsuits will probably rise as well.

Collectively, Smith & Nephew, Johnson & Johnson, Stryker, and Zimmer Biomet made over $6.5 billion around the world during 2015. An aging population and an increasing obesity rate may drive global sales as high as $9.1 billion by 2024, according to current market research. Over half these sales will probably be in North America, as patients in the developing world often struggle to afford the procedure and also have a hard time finding qualified doctors to perform the surgery. Increasing per capita income may somewhat alleviate these problems.

23 February

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Trial Set In Ethicon Hernia Mesh Case

Posted by Gary Logsdon Law

in Defective Medical Devices

The first defective medical device trial regarding the controversial Ethicon Physiomesh, which the manufacturer has voluntarily withdrew from the market, is set for November 2018. The judge originally set a trial date in July 2017, but both parties asked for more time to prepare, citing the "complex issues in this case." The plaintiff in this case, Matthew Huff, was one of the first people to file an Ethicon Physiomesh lawsuit in the United States. In 2013, doctors implanted the surgical mesh into Mr. Huff's body following a hernia procedure. In 2015, after experiencing severe pain, nausea, and other symptoms, doctors told...

04 January

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Government Issues New IVC Filter Warnings

Posted by Gary Logsdon Law

in Defective Medical Devices

Health Canada recently told doctors to remove IVC filters from their patients to avoid serious, long-term complications.

After receiving over 100 verified reports, the government medical watchdog officially linked the Inferior Vena Cava filter to organ perforation, fragmentation, and other possibly fatal conditions. Additionally, of the two Randomized Controlled Trials connected with IVC filters, neither of them indicated that these devices were particularly effective, according to the agency. Therefore, Health Canada strongly urged physicians to limit the use of IVC filters to extreme cases only and remove them after a few days. The agency stopped short of issuing a recall, but has demanded additional information about safety and efficiency from at least six manufacturers.

27 October

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Four Things You Should Know About IVC Filters

Posted by Gary Logsdon Law

in Defective Medical Devices

Each year over 250,000 IVC filters are implanted into patients at risk for blood clots. Although most patients have no side effects, there are some serious complications with IVC filters. Fact #1: The longer the IVC filter stays in place, the higher the risk of injury. Once the blood clot has passed the IVC filter should be removed. The FDA states the device should stay in anywhere form 29 – 54 days from insertion date for best results. Fact #2: IVC filters have been connected to 27 deaths and counting. A recent NBC News special revealed at last 27 deaths have been linked to...