A claim has been filed in Illinois federal court against the makers of the Sorin 3T Heater-Cooler System by a man who states he developed an infection as a result of the use of the medical device.

Plaintiff Edwin S. says he underwent a coronary artery bypass grafting procedure in February 2015. During that surgery, the Sorin 3T system was used to cool and re-warm his blood.

Edwin says his condition following the surgery began deteriorating over the next couple days. It was determined that he had a sternal wound infection. He was placed on antibiotics and was fitted with a wound vac.

Shortly after he was discharged, Edwin began experiencing problems with intermittent fevers, balance problems, night sweats and extreme fatigue. Edwin is currently under the care of an infectious disease specialist and is undergoing blood cultures to determine if he has a confirmed case of non-tuberculosis mycobacterium infection.

According to this Sorin 3T lawsuit, the plaintiff has suffered “excruciating pain, weakness, excessive additional and debilitating medical treatment, suffering, and permanent injury.”

The Sorin 3T Heater-Cooler System is a device used during heart bypass surgery to control the patient’s temperature. Having a stable temperature during the surgery leads to improved surgical outcomes, and the Sorin 3T system is designed to assist with this.

However, it was found that some Sorin 3T devices may have been contaminated with bacteria during manufacture. As the Sorin 3T system is working, this bacteria can be released into the air that circulates in the surgery room and can potentially deposit into a patient’s surgical incision.

The bacteria in question is a non-tuberculosis mycobacteria known as Mycobacterium chimaera. The FDA became aware of the possible contamination of these medical devices and issued a communication about the Sorin 3T in July 2015. The FDA subsequently sent warning letters to the manufacturers as well.

Patients who had heart surgeries at hospitals where the Sorin 3T system was used have been notified by the hospital that they may be at risk for developing the slow-growing mycobacteria infection.

Edwin has raised a number of allegations against the device manufacturers including negligence, strict products liability, breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranties, negligent misrepresentation, misrepresentation by omission, and violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practice Act.

The plaintiff is seeking damages related to physical and emotional pain and suffering, permanent impairment and scarring, medical bills and expenses, loss of earnings, loss of earning capacity, loss of enjoyment of life and any additional relief to which he may be entitled.

The Sorin 3T Heater-Cooler System Lawsuit is Case No. 3:17-cv-03045-SEM-TSH, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois.

Filing a Sorin 3T Heater-Cooler System Lawsuit

If you or a loved one has developed an infection following the surgery in which the Sorin 3T Heater-Cooler System was used, you may be eligible to seek legal compensation from the manufacturers for your injuries. An experienced attorney is available to review your case at no charge and to help guide you in understanding the legal options that are available to you.