Cook Medical is facing a new inferior vena cava (IVC) filter lawsuit from a woman alleging the device’s defective design had caused her serious injuries.

The woman claims that as a direct result of the IVC filter design defect, her medical condition was further compounded and is still dealing with her injuries.

Georgia plaintiff Anna M. had the Cook Celect vena cava filter implanted on April 29, 2015, in order to prevent blood clot events.

Anna had opted to have the Cook Cena IVC filter implanted after reviewing the company’s advertisements.

However, none of the marketing materials warned Anna or her physician of the potential complications associated with the product’s IVC filter design defect issues, the lawsuit states.

Cook Medical is facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL), consisting of other IVC filter lawsuits against the company alleging similar injuries.

Each of the claims allege that due to the company’s IVC filter design defect, the patients suffered numerous injuries and had received no warning from the company.

Overview of IVC Filter Complications

Many of the IVC filter injury reports stem from patients who have the temporary models implanted rather than their permanent counterparts.

IVC filter models can either be temporary or permanent based on the patient’s preferences, with many patients preferring the temporary models to be later removed after their blood clots are resolved.

The device is placed directly into the inferior vena cava, which is the largest vein in the body and is responsible for filtering blood back to the heart and lungs. It is one of the body’s biggest components in the circulation system.

These small metal cage like devices are designed to stop the blood clots that formed in the legs or pelvis, and to prevent them from traveling to the heart and lungs.

If the patient opted for a temporary IVC filter, the device can be removed after the blood clot is resolved.

Even though this is a convenient feature, a number of patients have alleged the temporary IVC filter design defect had caused them numerous problems.

In 2010, the FDA had released a public safety warning regarding temporary IVC filters after receiving 921 injury reports.

From 2005 to 2010, the FDA had received IVC filter injury reports included:

• Device Migration
• Filter Perforation
• Filter Fracture
• Detached Device Components (Device Embolization)

The FDA had released an updated warning in 2014, with the agency stating that the temporary IVC filters should be removed between the 29^th and 54^th day after the blood clot resolved.

The temporary IVC filter design defect complications allegedly stemmed from the inferior parts and components that the temporary models are reportedly made from.

Anna states that if she had known of the complications associated with the IVC filter design defect, she never would have opted for the Cook Celect vena cava filter.

This IVC Filter Lawsuit is Case No. 1:14-ml-2570-RLY-TAB, in the U.S. District Court of Southern Indiana, Indianapolis Division.