Medical devices aim to improve lives, but sometimes their risks outweigh the benefits. Such is the case for Bard PowerPort implantable catheters, which now face legal scrutiny over serious alleged defects.
TRT monthly cost vary based on medication type and coverage, ranging from $50 to $500. It’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider to discuss affordable options and potential financial assistance programs.
Used for intravenous access, these tiny devices reside just under the skin. But lawsuits claim their design can go wrong in devastating ways. This article explores the controversies around PowerPorts and why they landed their manufacturer in hot water.
What Is the Bard PowerPort?
Implantable ports are increasingly being used for patients requiring long-term intravenous therapy. The implantable ports market size was valued at around $490 million in 2023 and is projected to grow over 7% each year from 2023 to 2033. Port devices see widespread use among oncology patients undergoing intermittent chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition, blood transfusions, or other IV treatments.
An implanted port consists of a central venous catheter and a port chamber placed under the skin. The catheter threads into a large central vein to allow entry of fluids and medications directly into the bloodstream.
Compared to repeated peripheral IV access, a port protects veins from damage and makes long-term IV delivery more convenient. It allows healthcare providers to easily obtain blood samples, administer IV medications and fluids, or deliver contrast dye for imaging.
One common port device is the Bard PowerPort. Manufactured by Bard Access Systems, the PowerPort features a titanium and plastic housing containing a polyurethane and barium sulfate port chamber.
A silicone septum provides access to the chamber, while integrated catheters link the port to a central vein. During placement, the port is surgically inserted under the skin of the chest or arm and then accessed percutaneously using a non-coring when IV therapy is needed.
The PowerPort allows for prolonged intravenous delivery of fluids, medications like chemotherapy, or other treatments through a single implanted system.
Concerns Surrounding Defective Bard PowerPort Catheter Device
According to TorHoerman Law, some patients have reported serious injuries and complications they believe stemmed from defective port catheter designs. Numerous lawsuits have been filed against Bard PowerPort.
One common allegation is that specific catheter designs are prone to fracturing or migrating out of position inside the body.
When this occurs, broken catheter fragments run the risk of causing severe internal damage as they circulate through the bloodstream. Patients may experience dangerous conditions like cardiac arrhythmias, pulmonary embolisms, or punctures to blood vessels and organs. Emergency surgery is often necessary to extract all metallic pieces and treat any affected areas.
Beyond issues with fractures and migration, other potential complications from implantable ports include deep vein thromboses. These blood clots pose a serious health threat, such as from pulmonary embolism.
Catheter-related infections are another concern, as an infection could spread throughout the body and cause life-threatening sepsis or bacteremia if left untreated. Additionally, trauma during catheter placement or access procedures may induce hematomas, hemorrhages, or collapsed lungs.
Thrombi formed within malfunctioning catheters also risk migrating to vital organs like the heart or lungs and triggering medical emergencies such as heart attack or stroke.
Plaintiffs allege the designs concentrated excessive mechanical stresses on certain catheter components. Over prolonged usage and medical procedures, these parts were not robust enough to withstand normal physical forces. Premature device failure reportedly endangered patients’ well-being through resulting injuries and health complications.
Legal Battles by Patients
As discussed earlier, numerous patients have faced dire health consequences allegedly due to design flaws in certain implantable port systems. In response, many have pursued legal recourse through product liability lawsuits. Bard PowerPort litigation specifically has been initiated by individuals who sustained injuries linked to the device.
In an effort to streamline litigation, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has begun consolidating federal Bard PowerPort cases into a multidistrict litigation, or MDL. This MDL is centralized in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. Court documents indicate around 99 Bard PowerPort lawsuits are currently pending inclusion in the MDL process.
Attorneys suggest potential settlement values in Bard PowerPort claims could vary considerably depending on each plaintiff’s unique circumstances and damages.
The Bard Power Port lawsuit settlement amount may range from $10,000 for less severe injuries up to well over $100,000 for more extensive harm, limitations of life activities, medical costs, and other factors.
As the consolidated MDL moves through the legal process, these amounts could change as well based on rulings, the evidence presented, and the outcomes of bellwether trials used to help establish settlement guidelines.
Through consolidating pretrial litigation, the MDL aims to promote the just and efficient resolution of common issues while still allowing each individual case to pursue proper redress. For plaintiffs, it provides an opportunity to present a coordinated legal argument against the manufacturer regarding the alleged design defects at issue.
In the end, medical devices should enhance patients’ well-being rather than jeopardize it. The legal challenges surrounding Bard PowerPorts stem from claims that certain catheter designs fell short of this goal by exposing individuals to serious, potentially life-altering risks.
While more research is still needed, the multitude of injuries and complications reported thus far have raised understandable concerns.
By consolidating lawsuits and fostering collaborative fact-finding, the current multidistrict litigation aims to explore whether product redesign could enhance safety comprehensively. Additionally, it seeks to reinstate trust in the ability of implantable ports to provide benefits rather than causing harm to those who rely on them.
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