ECHELON 60mm Endoscopic Linear Cutter Reloads Black in Flexible Blister pack with Tyvek lid. The ECHELON and ECHELON FLEX families of Endoscopic Linear Cutters (articulating and straight) are sterile, single patient use instruments that simultaneously cut and staple tissue. There are six staggered rows of staples, three on either side of the cut line. The ECHELON 60 instruments have a staple line that is approximately 60 mm long and a cut line that is approximately 57 mm long. The shaft can rotate freely in both directions and an articulation mechanism on articulating instruments enables bending the distal portion of the shaft to facilitate lateral access of the operative site. The instruments are shipped without a reload and must be loaded prior to use. A staple retaining cap on the reload protects the staple leg points during shipping and transportation. The instruments'" lock-out feature is designed to prevent a used reload from being refired.

Ethicon Endo-Surgery is initiating a voluntary worldwide recall for ECHELON 60mm Black Reload (ECR60T) due to the potential for incomplete staple line formation from reload damage during the firing sequence.

Ethicon sent a Urgent: Medical Device Recall letter dated May 29, 2013, to all affected customers. The letter identified the product the problem and the action to be taken by the customer. Customers were instructed 1.To examine your inventory immediately to determine if you have affected product manufactured by Ethicon and remove the affected product(s). See Attachment A for assistance in identifying affected product. 2. Complete the Business Reply Form (BRF) Attachment C and fax or email it to Stericycle at 1-888-943-4190. Please reference Event 4706. If you have product to be returned, keep a copy of this form for your records. Your JJHCS number has been pre-populated on the BRF. Replacement product will be issued for all returned recalled product. 3. All affected product must be returned by August 30, 2013, to receive replacement product. To return affected product, photocopy your completed Business Reply Form, placeit in the box with your product, and affix the pre-printed UPS shipping label to return to Stericycle. Returned ECHELON 60mm Black Reload (ECR60T) will be replaced with corrected ECHELON 60mm Black Reload (ECR60T) as soon as supply becomes available. 4. If you do not have affected product in your inventory, you should still complete and return the Business Reply Form, indicating you have no affected product. 5. Please share this information with all of the appropriate staff at your facility. 6. If you need assistance identifying an alternative product code, please speak directly with your Ethicon Sales Representative. If you need clinical or product support, please contact your local sales representative or call our Customer Support Center, 1-877-ETHICON (877-384-4266 OPTION 6 to speak with a registered nurse). If you need additional shipping labels or a communications package, contact the Stericycle support center at 1-888-943-2397 and reference Event 4706.