All batches of Reflection’s dead blow mallets are to be quarantined and returned to the manufacturer due to lead beads escaping into surgical wounds.

All of the dead blow mallet hammers manufactured by Smith and Nephew have been recalled after reports of broken mallet heads were made.

The dead blow mallets are different to conventional hammers as they are made to apply more precise pressure and less damage to the surface struck. The minimal elastic rebound is usually created by leaving the hammer head hollow or filled with loose sand, steel beads, or lead beads. However, this means that, if they break or crack, the filling could spill out, and this has resulted in the recall.
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Manufacturers of vital ventilation machines issued a Medical Device Alert after reports that the emergency devices stop working due to oxide build up.

Drager has issued a ‘risk of failure’ alert to all users after multiple reports were made complaining that ventilation devices had stopped working.

This is reportedly not the first time the company has received these complaints. Dräger has now issued a second Field Safety Notice for the Oxylog 3000 and Oxylog 3000 plus ventilators.
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Vaginal meshes used to treat bladder problems still causing catastrophic problems

Thousands of women worldwide have experienced catastrophic injuries as a result of having a synthetic transvaginal mesh, transvaginal tape, or a bladder sling implanted.

The net-like implant is commonly used to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) or stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Common side effects reported from the use of the vaginal mesh implants include continuing urinary incontinence; recurrent bladder infections; erosion; haematomas; nerve damage; inability to have sexual intercourse; pain during sexual intercourse; auto immune reactions; and life-long disabilities and even death.
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MS Tecfidera medication caused liver injury to 14 people

Pharmaceutical company Biogen Inc has recently received a scare from its big-selling oral multiple sclerosis drug, Tecfidera.

Tecfidera has been well-known to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis, and although, Tecfidera’s historic side effects have been linked with serious viral infections to the brain, which could lead to disability or death, more recently, the medicine has been linked to liver injuries.

Of the 230,000 patients treated with Biogen’s Tecfidera, there have been 14 reported cases of liver injury, according to a Biogen spokeswoman.
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Heart pump device production has been halted due to patient death

A medical device manufacturer has stopped the production and use of a heart pump device following the death of a patient.

Abbott Laboratories, an American-based worldwide healthcare company, has halted the use of the HeartMate PHP catheter following a patient death and several malfunctions in the U.S. and in Europe.

The device was initially thought to be commercially promising, but the problems identified are serious.
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Tesla to roll out 2nd Generation of Self-Driving technology – “Should we be worried?”

Tesla will be slowly rolling out a second generation of self-driving technology for cars. Ever since their auto-pilot system was involved in an accident resulting in a fatality last year, this updated technology is set to be cautiously and slowly marketed.

But with the problematic history for self-drive cars – something Tesla have been at the heart of – the big question is this: should we be worried about these new self-driving cars, and will they ever be truly safe?
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General Motors company to pay $1 million for lack of communication with accountants

General Motors is set to pay $1 million in civil penalty fines for not notifying accountants of a proposed recall.

Back in Spring of 2012, the company were aware of a potential safety recall, but reportedly failed to let accountants know. This failure prevented accountants from assessing the financial impact the recall may have, including any potential losses. This information was allegedly kept from accountants for around 18 months, though it is unclear whether this was intentional or an expensive oversight.
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Headphones explode mid-flight – victim suffers facial burns

A woman wearing noise-cancelling headphones on a flight from Beijing to Melbourne was injured when her headphones exploded whilst she was sleeping.

They suddenly exploded – sparking and igniting – while she slept.

Feeling her face burning, she ripped the headphones from around her neck and threw them onto the floor of the cabin, stamping on them. The headphones were still emitting sparks so flight attendants swiftly threw buckets of water on them to avoid any serious incidents.
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Skin creams containing paraffin have reportedly caused 37 deaths in England in the last decade

Medical manufacturers have sent out warnings to eczema skin cream users, as some users have reported that they have caused fires, and consequently 37 deaths.

The majority of skin creams contain paraffin which can soak into bedding and clothes, and therefore make them more flammable. In November 2007, the NHS webpage alerted healthcare staff involved in prescribing, dispensing or administration of paraffin-based skin products of a potential fire hazard. The page states that paraffin-based products – e.g. emulsifying ointment – are easily ignited with a naked flame or a cigarette, so users should take caution when using them.
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Should Apple recall iPhone models that are experiencing unexpected shutdowns?

iPhone batteries have reportedly been a long-standing problem since their entry on the market. Users have reported multiple issues with the battery, especially with regards to the iPhone 6.

Its been reported that a bug or defect causes the phone to crash ‘dramatically’, meaning the power might plunge from 50% or 30% to 1% and other times the iPhone just shuts down altogether.
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