Newport HT70 Ventilator Battery Recall Issued Due to Risk of Failure

Reports of power loss and false readouts have resulted in an international recall of ventilator Power Pac batteries due to the potential health risks that these problems could cause for patients.  

A Covidien Newport HT70 and HT70 Plus ventilators Power Pac batteries recall was announced by the FDA on April 18, after customers reported the Power Pac batteries may indicate full battery life on the display screen when the battery is not charged and the batteries may sound an alarm while switching to the internal backup battery sooner than expected. The battery packs may also switch to the backup battery once they are removed from AC power.

The backup battery will allow for the ventilator to function for roughly 30 minutes until another power source is required. There is a heightened risk for patients who are using the power packs in ventilators while traveling where an alternative source of power may not be available to them. The FDA has advised consumers to provide themselves with an alternative means to support ventilation until the packs are repaired or replaced.

The recall includes Power Pac batteries sold for and with the HT70 and HT70 Plus ventilators with serial numbers ranging between 2096134110001 and 2292048120050. The Power Pac’s were distributed throughout the United States and internationally.

The Power Pac’s were manufactured by Covidien, a healthcare products manufacturer that has 51 manufacturing facilities located in 18 countries and sells its products across 70 countries. Covidien announced a recall letter detailing instructions to replace the batteries was sent on April 4, 2013.

Consumers with the recalled Power Pac batteries in the HT70 and HT70 Plus ventilators should immediately get a backup power source and contact Newport Medical Technical Support Department at (800) 451-3111 for United States user or (714) 427-5811 for international customers to request a replacement battery free of charge.