Olympus Machines linked to serious injuries and death

Wagstaff & Cartmell is investigating claims victims may have against the manufacturers of these devices.

The bronchofiberscopes and brochovideoscopes are tubular devices that work with accessories like cameras and lights to examine or treat a person’s airways.

Olympus Corporation of the Americas (Olympus) is recalling certain bronchofiberscopes and bronchovideoscopes because they may lead to burns or catch fire.

The bronchoscopes may cause serious injuries, including critical burns in a person’s airways or lungs, airway bleeding, trouble breathing, apnea, loss of consciousness, or death. Injuries may lead to prolonged procedures, additional medical care, extended hospitalization, ICU care, and death. Combustion can damage or break parts of the device that may injure or unintentionally remain in the patient and may require retrieval or surgical removal.

Olympus knew about the problems with these devices, but continued to keep them on the market.  Olympus pointed users to the warning section in the operator’s manual, highlighting steps to avoid adverse events. These include “stop performing high-frequency cauterization while supplying oxygen” and “keep electrosurgical devices used with the endoscope far enough away from the endoscope.”

Olympus has issued a Class 1 Recall of the following scopes due to 192 reported incidents of the devices catching fire or causing burns:

• Bronchovideoscope Olympus BF Type 1T150
• OES Bronchofiberscope Olympus BF Type 1T60
• Evis Exera II Bronchovideoscope Olympus BF Type 1TQ180
• Bronchovideoscope Olympus BF Type P150
• Evis Exera III Bronchovideoscope Olympus BF-P190
• Bronchovideoscope Olympus BF-Q170
• Evis Exera III Bronchovideoscope Olympus BF-Q190
• Evis Exera III Bronchovideoscope Olympus BF-XT190
• Evis Exera II Bronchovideoscope Olympus BF Type 1T180
• Evis Exera III Bronchovideoscope Olympus BF-1TH190
• Evis Exera III Bronchovideoscope Olympus BF-H190\
• Evis Exera II Bronchovideoscope Olympus BF Type P180
• OES Bronchofiberscope Olympus BF Type P60
• Evis Exera II Bronchovideoscope Olympus BF Type Q180-AC
• Evis Exera Bronchovideoscope Olympus BF Type XT160 

Injuries Associated with Olympus bronchofiberscopes and brochovideoscopes:

• Burns in airway or lungs
• Airway bleeding
• Trouble breathing
• Apnea
• Extended hospitalization
• ICU Care
• Death

What should I do next? 

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a serious burn, trouble breathing, or other serious injury after exposure to an Olympus scope, Wagstaff & Cartmell may be able to help. Our products liability lawyers can examine your case and help you understand your rights. There are time limits which may affect the filing of your claim. Please contact us by using the online form or by calling our office at 816-701-1100 so that we may better evaluate your case.