A New Mexico judge ruled in favor of a patient claiming Warsaw, Ind.-based Zimmer Biomet's M/L Taper Hip Prosthesis with Kinectiv Technology caused metal poisoning, according to The Legal Herald.
Here are five things to know:
1. The patient began experiencing extreme pain soon after undergoing hip replacement with the M/L Taper Hip Prostheses in 2010. Two revision surgeries removed and replaced the implant but failed to eliminate the painful symptoms.
2. The device is made of multiple components, a factor the patient argued increased the risk of metallic debris.
3. Zimmer had tested the implant's components in isolation but hadn't performed corrosion tests on the completed device before placing it on the market.
4. The ruling judge said Zimmer had "exercised ordinary care in the designing and testing of the MLKT" but still ruled Zimmer pay the patient $2 million due to the doctrine of strict liability.
5. Zimmer has sold over 148,000 of the implants since introducing the product to the U.S. market in 2007.
More articles on devices:
Amendia acquires Spinal Elements
Medical device industry outlook in 2017: 5 thoughts from AdvaMed President and CEO Scott Whitaker
Bridging the gap between new spine technology & patients — The role of the Medical Science Liaison