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• Class Action | Product Liability & Recalls | More..

On December 8, 2000, Sulzer Orthopedics, an Austin, Texas subsidiary of Switzerland-based Sulzer Medica announced a voluntary recall of approximately 25,000 Inter-Op acetabular shells. The recall covered the following:

• Shell Product: Hemispherical
  • Catalog numbers: 4360-00-039 through 4360-00-065
  • Lot numbers: Beginning #: 1307848, Ending #: 1465372
• Shell Product: Rim Flare
  • Catalog numbers: 4361-00-039 through 4361-00-071
  • Lot numbers: Beginning #: 1398234, Ending #: 1465247
• Shell Product: Revision
  • Catalog numbers: 4362-00-043 through 4362-00-081
  • Lot numbers: Beginning #: 1397531, Ending #: 1465242
• Shell Product: Protrusio
  • Catalog numbers: 4363-00-053 through 4363-00-081
  • Lot numbers: Beginning #: 1403576, Ending #: 1453540

Approximately 17,500 individuals received implants of a defective part; with the vast majority in the US.

Recent updates:

• On May 8, 2002, U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen O'Malley approved a $1 Billion settlement in the class action litigation involving certain Sulzer hip and knee products. Additional information is available here.
• Sulzer Medica announced that as of June 1, 2002 it will operate under the name "Centerpulse." Additional information is available here.
• On May 31, 2002, Centerpuluse announced that it has approved the settlement agreement. Additional information is available here.

• Sulzer Impant Settlement Website. Settlement agreement, claim forms, and additional information pertaining to class action litigation involving certain Sulzer hip and knee implant products.

• Centerpulse Approves Settlement with Minimal Number of Opt Outs, Centerpulse, May 31, 2002
• US Court Confirms Fairness of Sulzer Medica Settlement, Sulzer Medica, May 9, 2002
• US Court Supports Sulzer Medica Settlement Proposal, Sulzer Medica, September 19, 2001
• Federal Judge Gives Preliminary Approval for Sulzer Orthopedics Inc. Settlement, Sulzer Medica, August 30, 2001
• Sulzer Medica Submits Term Sheet for a Class Settlement, Sulzer Medica, August 15, 2001
• $780 Million Offer for Faulty Implants, San Francisco Chroncicle, August 17, 2001
• Physicians Race to Replace Hip Implants, San Francisco Chroncicle, February 18, 2001
• Hip replacement patients may face more surgery, CNN.com, January 17, 2001
• Artificial Hips Recalled, ABCNews.com, January 17, 2001