Recalled LINX Device Caused Recurrence of GERD Symptoms, Requiring Surgical Removal: Lawsuit

Man indicates he unknowingly received a defective LINX acid reflux device shortly after they were recalled from the market due to reports of failures.

A Missouri man has filed a lawsuit claiming that he experienced nothing but problems with a LINX Reflux Management System, which provided few benefits, resulted in the return of his acid reflux and ultimately required additional medical procedures to remove the device after it failed inside his body.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Deral Vincent in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota on July 30. It names Torax Medical Inc. and Ethicon Inc. as defendants. Both companies are subsidiaries of Johnson & Johnson.

Vincent claims the defendants placed a defective medical device into the stream of commerce without adequately testing it or providing proper warnings about the potential problems users may experience.

LINX Reflux System Problems

The LINX system consists of a small ring of magnetic beads held together by titanium wires. It is surgically implanted around the lower esophageal sphincter to help strengthen it and prevent the backward flow of stomach acid due to conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

First approved in March 2012 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the LINX system soon became associated with reports of failures, resulting in pieces of the broken implants migrating through patients’ bodies, puncturing organs and causing other health complications. The FDA announced a LINX recall in April 2018 after determining the problem was likely caused by a manufacturing error.

Vincent’s complaint joins a number of similar LINX device lawsuits now being pursued in courts nationwide, each involving similar allegations that the implants were defectively designed and manufactured, placing patients at risk for the sake of the manufacturers’ profits.

LINX Device Failure Allegations

Vincent indicates he was implanted with a LINX Reflux Management System on July 27, 2018, less than two months after Torax initiated a recall on May 31 involving an “out of specification condition” that could allow a magnetic bead to separate from an adjacent wire link.

According to the complaint, Vincent’s specific implant was among the recalled devices. The recall notice warned that separation could cause the LINX ring to become discontinuous or open, potentially resulting in the recurrence of GERD symptoms and the need for additional surgery to remove or replace the device.

Vincent claims that is ultimately what happened to him, resulting in a severe recurrence of his GERD symptoms. On April 3, 2025, nearly seven years after receiving the implant, he underwent another invasive surgery to remove the failed LINX system.

“As a result of Defendant Torax’s violations of federal regulation, approved manufacturing process, and manufacturing standard of care, Plaintiff’s LINX was defectively manufactured and failed as a result of that defect. At the time the LINX device left the control of Defendant Torax, it was outside of manufacturing specification and was unreasonably dangerous due to its defective manufacture.”

– Deral Vincent v. Torax Medical Inc. et al.

Vincent presents claims of manufacturing defect, negligence, negligence per se and strict liability. He is seeking compensatory damages.

LINX Implant Lawsuits

The complaint joins a growing number of similar LINX implant lawsuits filed in the District of Minnesota, where Torax Medical is headquartered and where the device was originally developed.

LINX implant lawyers expect the number of claims to continue to rise as more individuals currently implanted with the devices experience breakages, and as more patients discover that their LINX broke because of a manufacturing defect.

As a result, attorneys are actively reviewing potential LINX lawsuits for those seeking compensation after having suffered injuries or complications due to:

• Device failures
• Migration and organ punctures
• Need for additional revision surgery to remove a failed device

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