Philips CPAP Breathing Machines Recalled Over Potential for Injury

On June 14, 2021, Philips Respironics issued a recall due to potential health risks associated with the use of some sleep apnea and respiratory care devices. Philips identified potential health risks including the possibility of lung injury for patients using some mechanical ventilator devices, the Philips Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure (Bi-Level PAP), and the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines.

Philips CPAP Recall Lawsuits

Sleep apnea CPAP mask

Patients who have experienced these kinds of injuries from using a Philips CPAP or Bi-level PAP may qualify to file a lawsuit and/or receive compensation:

Respiratory failure
Airway inflammation or irritation
Difficulty breathing
Asthma – new or worsening
Lung damage
Pneumonia
Liver cancer
Colon cancer
Lung cancer
Kidney cancer
Heart failure
Heart attack
Stroke
Kidney disease
Liver disease

Philips Recalls Millions of CPAP and Other Breathing Machines

Sleep apnea CPAP mask on the grey background

Philips announced the recall and identified their corrective actions, which include updating instructions for use and repairing or replacing affected devices. In what may be a design defect, some breathing assist devices contained a polyester polyurethane foam which can degrade under certain conditions.¹

The PE-PUR sound-reducing foam was used in millions of Bi-Level PAP, CPAP, and other ventilator devices. If this foam degrades during use, it can enter the air pathway of the device and be ingested or inhaled by the user. The degradation of the foam may also release other potentially harmful chemicals, to be breathed in or swallowed by you or a loved one.¹

High heat, humidity, and some cleaning methods are associated with the breakdown of the foam sound abatement system. According to estimates from Philips, 3-4 million breathing machines may be affected. Most of these were sold before April 2021 and were first-generation DreamStation units.

Which Philips CPAP and Bi-Level PAP Machines Were Recalled in 2021?

Recalled CPAP and BiLevel PAP Units

These Philips Non-Life-Supporting Continuous Ventilators:

C Series ASV, S/T, AVAPS
DreamStation ST, AVAPS
DreamStation ASV
SystemOne ASV4
OmniLab Advanced Plus In-Lab Titration Device

These Philips Non-Continuous Ventilators:

REMStar SE Auto CPAP
SystemOne Q series
DreamStation Go CPAP, APAP
DreamStation CPAP, Auto CPAP, BiPAP
Dorma 400, 500 CPAP

The Philips Continuous Ventilator (Facility Use) Minimum Ventilatory Support Unit:

E30 (Under Emergency Use Authorization)

Recalled Mechanical Ventilators

Philips Continuous Ventilators:

Garbin Plus, Aeris, LifeVent Ventilator
Trilogy 200 Ventilator
Trilogy 100 Ventilator

Philips Continuous Ventilator (Facility Use) Minimum Ventilatory Support Unit:

BiPAP V30 Auto Ventilator (A-Series)

Which Philips Products Are Not Affected by the Recall?

CPAP and Bi-Level PAP machines that do not use the same sound-reducing foam material, or that use a different sound abatement design, are not affected by the recall. Some of the common Philips Units that are not named in this announcement include:²

Trilogy Evo OBM
Trilogy Evo
Trilogy 202
Trilogy EV300
M-Series
A-Series Pro and EFL
DreamStation 2
Dorma 100, Dorma 200, & REMStar SE
Omnilab (the original based on Harmony 2)
V60 Plus Ventilator
V60 Ventilator
V680 Ventilator

Sound-Reducing Foam Liner May Cause Injury

The PE-PUR foam used in the recalled Philips CPAP, Bi-Level PAP, and other ventilators has been associated with a variety of health risks. In some conditions, the sound abatement foam degrades into particles that can travel down the air tubes to be inhaled or ingested by the user.

Identified Health Risks

Possible health risks from using one of the recalled breathing machines include:^1,2

Headache
Cough
Sinus infection
Chest pressure
Irritation to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract
Inflammatory responses
Asthma
Other respiratory conditions
Hypersensitivity
Nausea and vomiting
Damage to other organs, including the kidneys and liver
Potential toxic or cancer-causing effects

Philips CPAP Injury Lawsuits Are in Motion

middle age asian man sleeping in his bed wearing CPAP headgear mask connected to air hose

Individuals using these CPAP machines found black debris in the breathing tubes, outlet, or humidifier of their devices and later developed symptoms. If toxic chemicals are released and inhaled, these patients might also have an increased risk of cancer.

Many of those affected will benefit from seeking legal advice about their situation as soon as possible. Philips CPAP injury lawsuits are already being investigated and will soon be filed on behalf of those injured by these breathing machines. These cases will strive to establish that a defect in design or manufacturing has caused serious harm to users of these devices. If you or a family member is experiencing symptoms or has a medical condition that might have been caused by a recalled medical device, you should consider your legal options carefully.

Should You File a Philips CPAP Lawsuit?

Mature man with chronic breathing issues considers using CPAP machine.

Every case is unique, and the full impacts of the recall on Philips CPAP and other sleep apnea or ventilation devices are still being realized. Some patients may not know the long-term effects of the particles and chemicals they have been breathing. If you or someone you care for is having symptoms like those listed above after using a recalled breathing device, consider a free case evaluation from Saunders & Walker.

Our law firm has years of experience handling lawsuits for people who have been injured by defective or poorly designed medical devices and equipment. In some cases, class action lawsuits might already be underway. We can file suit on your behalf and help you obtain fair and full compensation for your injuries and increased health risks.

Medical devices like the recalled Philips CPAP machines are intended to protect and promote the health of patients. When they fail in design or manufacture and put patients at risk, those injured by these machines have the right to file a lawsuit to cover the financial burden as well as pain and suffering.

The office of Saunders & Walker, P.A. has successfully held the companies that produce defective medical devices accountable for their actions. Just like our successful legal actions surrounding IVC blood filters, hip implants, and birth control implants, valid CPAP machine lawsuits are likely to receive settlements and compensation in the months to come. To find out more about what your legal options are, schedule a free case evaluation with our team at 800-748-7115.

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