Ariz. Federal Judge Dismisses Medtronic SynchroMed Lawsuit, Citing Preemption

PHOENIX — An Arizona federal judge has dismissed an action targeting Medtronic’s SynchroMed II programmable drug infusion system, ruling that the claims are preempted because the plaintiff failed to point to a specific manufacturing process that fell short of federal requirements.

In a March 16 order, Judge Douglas Rayes of the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona further found the plaintiff failed to link any manufacturing deficiency to the device’s catheter obstruction.

Paulina Pappas underwent implantation of a SynchroMed II device in December 2014. The device was attached to Pappas’ spinal canal to administer main medication. After Pappas …