BARD IVC FILTER LAWSUIT

Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) Filters are commonly referred to as  “blood clot filters.” These medical devices are supposed to save a patient’s life by preventing a blockage of an artery in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). Unfortunately, IVC Filters put patients at an unnecessary risk for serious injury or even death. What’s more troubling is there’s strong evidence suggesting manufacturers knew the risks and never disclosed this information to doctors/patients. One of the main manufacturers involved in litigation is Bard. In fact, one patient injured by a Bard IVC Filter, filed a lawsuit and was awarded a verdict of $3.6 million.

Di Pietro Partners are experienced medical device injury lawyers that work with board certified, medical professionals. Our Law Firm is pursuing cases against Bard IVC Filters all over the U.S. If you, or someone you know received a Bard IVC Filter anywhere in the United States, contact our legal team for a free and confidential case review today.

Bard IVC Filter Background and Devices

C. R. Bard is a U.S based company and a global leader in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of medical technology. In recent years, the company has been involved in controversy and mass litigation due to defective medical products, particularly, certain Bard IVC Filters that have been linked to numerous serious injuries and deaths. The specific IVC devices by C.R. Bard that have been linked to serious injuries include the following:

Denali – The Denali® Inferior Vena Cava Filter by Bard is a retrievable filter designed with twelve cone shaped wire legs in an attempt to prevent tilt or movement. In 2015, Bard issued a Class 2 Device Recall on Denali. The recall was due to a labeling error which excluded a warning to patients with uncontrolled sepsis and patients with known hypersensitivity to nickel-titanium alloys. The Denali® remains one of the most problematic devices. To put this in perspective, pieces of this instrument can break or migrate into the heart within the first few months. As a result, Bard faced many lawsuits due to device failure.

Bard Recovery – The Bard Recovery is one of the first, and most controversial filters. The device has two levels of six wires that are designed to hold the device in a patient’s blood vessel. Unfortunately, there is a flaw in the design of this product which renders it unable to withstand pressure exerted by blood flow; thus, exposing a patient to the risk of the filter tilting, migrating, or otherwise, damaging vital organs. What’s more troubling is that there’s strong evidence the manufacturer was aware of this flaw and continued to market, and sell the product. This blood clot filter has a high failure rate and is linked to over 20 deaths. The design of the device is that it has six arms and legs used for filtration in lungs.

Bard G2 – The Bard G2 IVC Filter has 6 arms and legs. This provides filtration for upper and lower levels of the lungs. These arms and legs tend to cause complications by fracturing and/or migrating into the heart. The G2 is a retrievable filter that was designed as a “new version” of the Bard Recovery with several improvements such as increased fracture resistance. Unfortunately, studies found that despite supposed improvements, the G2 still yields a 38% risk of fracture in patients over a five year period.

G2 Express (G2X) – Also known as G2 X, the Bard G2 Express IVC Filter is a modification from the original G2. For instance, Bard added a hook to this device to allow easier retrievability. Unfortunately, this modification does not mitigate the risk of device fracture/migration. Ultimately, the G2X presents a high risk of fracture which also carries the risk of broken components from the device traveling to other parts of a patient’s body.

Eclipse – The Bard Eclipse IVC Filter is also similar to the G2 device but with a more polished surface. Bard attempted to make this filter easily retrievable; however, risks of complications still persist and surgery to retrieve IVC Filters remains risky.

Meridian – As one of the more recently introduced devices, The Meridian IVC filter was built with modifications to reduce fracture, tilting, migration, etc. Despite improvements, the device is notably difficult to remove.

Simon Nitinol – The Simon Nitinol Filter is one of the earlier designs by Bard. In fact, this was the first approved “nitinol” vascular implant which means the product is made of titanium and nickel. Since it was an early design, the Simon Nitinol was designed as a permanent filter. This device has been linked to several serious injuries in patients and was recently included as one of the devices in a national lawsuit against Bard filters.

Other Manufacturers and Devices

Several other manufacturers are involved in an IVC Filter Lawsuit resulting from defective blood clot filters. Other manufacturers/devices include:

Cook Medical – Devices made by Cook include: Gunther Tulip, Celect, Celect Platinum, and Bird’s Nest.

Cordis – Devices by Cordis include: OptEase, and TrapEase.

Others If the device or manufacturer you’re inquiring about is not listed above, you should still contact us as other devices may be subject to litigation.