Approximately 460,000 patients undergo bronchoscopy procedures every year in the United States. This procedure is most often performed in order to diagnose lung infections, pneumonia, and lung cancer. A bronchoscopy is performed by placing a camera-equipped tube or bronchoscope through the nose or mouth and into the lungs. This procedure which utilizes fiber-optic technology, allows physicians to view the insides of the lungs and take biopsies and samples of secretions.

In November of 2001, Olympus America Inc., initiated a voluntary recall of 15 of its bronchoscope models. These defective models are suspected of trapping and spreading bacteria among patients who have undergone an examination with this device, causing pneumonia, or other infectious diseases, some potentially life threatening. This may have occurred because the biopsy ports or valves on the sides of the bronchoscopes were loose and permitted bacteria to become lodged underneath the ports in a manner that prevented normal sterilization from killing off the bacteria.

According to some estimates as many as 4,400 of the recalled bronchoscopes were purchased by more than 2,300 hospitals across the country. Patients who have experienced symptoms of infection, such as fever, coughing, phlegm or shortness of breath following a bronchoscopy should contact a qualified physician.

Further information can be obtained from the FDA website.

Ashcraft & Gerel is now devoting substantial resources to pursuing Olympus bronchoscope claims. We have been a leader in mass tort and product liability cases and settlements, including asbestos, breast implants and tainted blood. Our lawyers have been at the forefront of the Fen Phen diet drug claims, and we are well situated to see the bronchoscope cases to a successful damage recovery for our clients. We have a toll free number to answer your questions with regard to your specific case. That number is 1-800-725-6470. If you would prefer that we contact you, please feel free to e-mail us or complete the help inquiry form on this web site. Please be sure to include your name, address, telephone number (if you wish to be called), email address and the exact nature of your question so that we can provide you with the specific information you seek.