Bard PowerPort

The Bard PowerPort is an implantable catheter device used for intravenous delivery of fluids or medicine. Also known as the BardPort, it is used with medications such as chemotherapy. The device is manufactured by Bard Access Systems Inc., a subsidiary of Becton, Dickinson and Company.

Bard PowerPorts have a titanium and plastic housing and use a polyurethane material called ChronoFlex AL. This material is a mixture of polyurethane and barium sulfate. There is a silicone septum for medication access, and catheters for fluid delivery and blood withdrawal. The device is inserted under the skin on the chest or arm. The port connects to a catheter that links to a large central vein, allowing medication to enter the bloodstream.

This device has been associated with complications and defects. Injuries include fractures of the device, migrations, infections, blood clots, embolisms, thrombosis and even death. As a result, several product liability lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturer and its subsidiaries.

Bard PowerPort complications and injuries range from minor to severe. They include bloodstream infections, embolisms, catheter fracture and migration, deep vein thrombosis, permanent injuries and wrongful death. These complications and injuries have resulted in numerous lawsuits.

One common complication is the fracture of the PowerPort itself, which can cause serious injuries and vascular damage. Infection originating at the port site is a common complication associated with Bard PowerPort devices. The flawed material allows bacteria to enter when the device fractures or degrades, leading to severe infections.

Design flaws that make the PowerPort prone to fractures also make it susceptible to migration after implantation. This can affect flexible tube parts inserted into blood vessels. Emergency surgeries are often required to remove the devices and address health issues.

In March 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a class 2 recall for three Bard PowerPort models. Complications named in the recall include bloodstream infections, catheter fractures, migration of the device, thrombosis and wrongful death. Each patient had experienced unique problems with the PowerPort.

The FDA terminated the recall in February 2022 after Bard took measures to correct the device failures. Lawsuits have been filed against Bard alleging that they marketed a defective device without making necessary changes or providing adequate warnings.

Bard PowerPort lawsuits claim Bard had knowledge of various complications associated with the device and did not alert the public. Bard allegedly continued to market the device as safe without addressing these problems. The company attempted to shift blame onto physicians by suggesting that device fractures occurred because of improper placement. But internal company knowledge that came to light contradicted these claims.

In August 2023, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ordered the consolidation of Bard PowerPort lawsuits with Judge David G. Campbell in the District of Arizona. MDLs facilitate coordinated discovery and pretrial proceedings. They can result in increased efficiency and consistency in rulings, leading to fairer outcomes for affected individuals. MDLs also help reduce litigation costs by minimizing duplication of efforts.

Despite Bard’s resistance to consolidation, more lawsuits are expected in the future, making multidistrict litigation an important approach for resolving these cases effectively. Those affected should seek legal advice from a product liability lawyer specializing in Bard PowerPort injuries or another qualified product liability attorney.