Becton Dickinson & Co. is recalling millions of intravenous devices that may cause air embolism or other potentially lethal complications.

The recall involves BD Q-Syte Luer Access Devices and BD Nexiva Closed IV Catheter Systems. The approximately 2.8 million BD Q-Syte and 2.9 million BD Nexiva units containing 5 million BD Q-Syte devices that were recalled were distributed in the United States, Asia, Canada, Europe, Mexico, the Middle East, South Africa and South America. A complete list of the REF and lot numbers included in this recall can be found here. (more…)

Toyota has issued another recall. This time, the automaker is recalling more than 400,000 hybrid vehcles, including the 2010 Prius and the Lexus HS250h, because of problems with their brakes.

At a news conference to announce the hybrid recall, Toyota President Akio Toyoda said a fix for the brake problem would take about 40 minutes and be handled by dealers. Toyoda also apologized to consumers for the concern and inconvenience the Prius and other recent recalls have caused, and promised to “redouble our commitment to quality.” (more…)

It seems there is some controversy brewing about the true failure rate for Medtronic Inc.’s recalled Sprint Fidelis defibrillator lead. According to The Wall Street Journal, Medtronic says its own research shows the Sprint Fidelis leads survive for three years at least 95.4% of the time, for a failure rate of 4.6%. But data from some leading hospitals indicates the true rate could be much higher.

Medtronic Inc.’s Sprint Fidelis lead was removed from the market in October 2007, following reports of 5 deaths due to lead fractures. Before the recall, Sprint Fidelis leads had been implanted with 90% of Medtronic’s defibrillators. (more…)

A U.S. probe into reports of dangerous, unintended acceleration with some Toyota vehicles has expanded to look at the vehicles’ electronic throttle system. Meanwhile, Toyota has admitted to a design flaw in the brakes on its popular Prius hybrid, and another recall could be in the works.

Yesterday, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said the U.S. investigation into the acceleration issue would expand to look at the possibility of electromagnetic interference with electronic throttle systems. According to The Wall Street Journal, electronic throttles replace mechanical links between the gas pedal and the throttle with electronic relays. As part of the probe, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administraion (NHTSA) will meet with manufacturers and suppliers to gain more understanding of their electronic throttle systems and ways in which these companies address any possible interference effect, the Journal said. (more…)

Senator Bill Nelson (D-Florida) has called for a federal probe into a childhood cancer cluster in a Florida community called The Acreage. The presence of the pediatric cancer cluster was confirmed earlier this week by The Florida Department of Health.

According to The Palm Beach Post, Nelson said environmental tests should start “as soon as possible.” He pledged to work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to get them to “lend their resources and expertise to the investigation.” (more…)

Just weeks after it recalled millions of vehicles because of a sticking accelerator pedal, Toyota announced today that it has received reports of problems with brakes on its popular Prius hybrid.

According to Marketwatch, the reports involve Prius brakes that had temporarily stopping working on bumpy or slippery roads. One such report involved a crash. (more…)