Tritanium TL Steerable Inserter — Class II medical device recall Z-0207-2019
Terminated recall by Howmedica Osteonics Corp., reported 2018-10-31, distributed nationwide. The firm received complaints related to the locking mechanism on the steerable inserter not functioning as int
| Recall number | Z-0207-2019 |
|---|---|
| Product type | Medical device |
| Classification | Class II |
| Status | Terminated |
| Voluntary or mandated | Voluntary |
| Recalling firm | Howmedica Osteonics Corp., Allendale, NJ, United States |
| Recall initiated | 2018-09-12 |
| Classified | 2018-10-23 |
| Reported by FDA | 2018-10-31 |
| Terminated | 2020-07-16 |
| Distributed | Nationwide (US) |
| Quantity | 58 |
| UPC / GTIN / UDI-DI | 07613327381900 |
| Model numbers | 48930000 |
Product
Tritanium TL Steerable Inserter, Cat. No. 48930000, UDI 07613327381900 Product Usage: The TL Steerable Inserter is a Class 1 instrument which is provided in a non-sterile condition. The inserter is designed to enter the disc space, with a fixed engagement between the inserter and the cage and then rotate for desired placement. The three components of the TL Steerable Inserter System include: 1. TL Steerable Inserter 2. TL Steerable Inserter Inner Shaft 3. TL Steerable Inserter Driver
Reason for recall
The firm received complaints related to the locking mechanism on the steerable inserter not functioning as intended. The firm confirmed that the issue is related to lack of lubrication of the instrument. There are two potential hazards associated with the implant pivoting unexpectedly during implant insertion into the disc space. First, if the implant is initially inserted into the disc space via the impaction method and the implant pivots unexpectedly, the implant potentially may unintentionally contact sensitive anatomy. Additionally, the user may potentially experience difficulty positioning the implant within the disc space due to the lack of rigidity. A third potential hazard is associated with the inserter not unlocking at the articulating pivot head during implant positioning within the disc space. Once the implant is in the prepared disc space and contacts the ventral annulus, the surgeon unlocks the articulating pivot head and positions the implant perpendicular to the spinous process. The surgeon may then elect to lock/unlock the articulating pivot head for desired final positioning of the implant. If the inserter does not unlock during these final implant positioning steps, the user may potentially implant the cage in a suboptimal trajectory/placement.
Machine access
This record, with every extracted code, the verbatim FDA record and provenance, is available from the recall API: GET https://api.data.aroqon.com/v1/recalls/Z-0207-2019. Look up any UPC, UDI, NDC or lot with /v1/recalls/lookup?code=…. API docs · free and paid keys.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration enforcement report via openFDA (CC0). Structured by Data Foundry (recall-structuring@2); last changed 2026-09-26. Not affiliated with or endorsed by FDA. Not medical or legal advice.