In a January recall letter, HeartWare ($HTWR) extended the recall of its Ventricular Assist System (HVAD) to include batteries because they ran out more quickly than anticipated. The defective batteries have faulty cells and could cause the device to stop working--which could lead to patient injury or death. This follows earlier safety problems, including false battery alarms and a May 2014 correction notice about batteries depleting earlier than expected. The device, which is the smallest heart pump in a two-player market, has been plagued by power problems, including the external cable's susceptibility to electrostatic discharge and accidental catching of the driveline, which could cause the device to disconnect. The company entered a merger agreement with Medtronic ($MDT) earlier this week. FDA notice
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