Medtronic Inc. faces an Infuse bone graft lawsuit by the health care provider Humana for allegedly knowingly marketing and selling a faulty medical product. While it was marketed as a safe and cheaper alternative to other synthetic bone grafts, Infuse reportedly has a history of unwanted side effects in spinal fusion patients.

On May 30, Humana the Infuse lawsuit accusing Medtronic of paying for doctored academic literature and investigative reports to portray its Infuse bone graft as a safe, effective, and cost-efficient growth-stimulator for spinal fusion surgeries.

As a result of the alleged false advertising and overstated efficacy and safety of the Infuse bio-engineered bone protein by Medtronic, Humana bought thousands of Infuse products for its patients. In its Medtronic Infuse lawsuit, Humana claims it would have had pursued costlier, but safer, alternatives had the company been made aware of the potential problems with the Infuse bone grafts.

Health care providers like Humana are not the only parties seeking legal recourse and compensation from Medtronic Inc. over alleged problems with the Infuse bone graft system. Many individuals who said they were misled by Medtronic’s alleged marketing and research scheme are filing Infuse class action lawsuits.

On May 6, Medtronic Inc. settled thousands of individual Medtronic Infuse lawsuits. Each individual claim was awarded up to $25,000 in damages, totaling $22 million in legal settlements.

Background on Infuse Bone Graft

The Infuse bone graft involves a concentrated amount of synthetic proteins used in spinal fusion surgeries. The Infuse bone grafts are meant to replace damaged bone matter. The Infuse synthetic proteins are mixed with bovine collagen and then injected in the spinal injury site to alleviate pain and encourage bone growth.

Since its FDA approval in 2002, more than 100,000 people a year have received a Medtronic Infuse bone graft during spinal fusion procedures. As a result, Medtronic collected $900 million in revenue in the 2011 sales year alone. Medtronic is the current leader in bone graft market, accounting for more than 40 percent of all bone graft sales.

However, Medtronic Inc. allegedly has neglected to inform hospitals, physicians, and individuals of all the risks associated with an Infuse bone graft.

Infuse bone graft side effects reportedly include:

• Infection
• Male sterility
• Bone and nerve damage
• Urinary problems
• Increased risk of cancer