Users of Philip Respironics DreamStation or CPAP machines have reported finding black particles or debris in their devices, prompting the company to issue a voluntary recall on June 14, 2021. The recall involves CPAP, BiPAP, and ventilators manufactured and sold between 2009 and April of 2021.
The recalled devices are used by those who suffer from sleep apnea, a chronic condition that causes the upper airway to repeatedly collapse during sleep, preventing oxygen from reaching the lungs and resulting in a buildup of carbon dioxide. When the brain senses this buildup, the person will briefly awake to open their airway. Without CPAP therapy to treat sleep apnea, a patient’s overall health will likely suffer, and could result in:
- Extreme daytime sleepiness
- Diminished mental performance
- Reduced energy
- Depression
- Hypertension
- Heart disease
- Increased risk of heart attack
- Stroke
These health problems often return very quickly if the use of a CPAP machine is discontinued, putting patients who must stop using Philips Respironics CPAP machines at increased risk of developing these conditions.
Philips Respironics May Replace Faulty Foam, Does Not Plan to Issue Free Replacements of Defective Devices
It has been reported that Philips intends to attempt to replace defective PE-PUR sound abatement foam in recalled devices. However, this has not been proven to be safe or effective. The recall repairs process is expected to take a year or longer, leaving sleep apnea patients without the use of their devices. Despite advising owners of recalled sleep apnea machines to no longer use the devices, Philips is not offering to replace the machines free of charge or send owners a new DreamStation 2 CPAP machine that does not have the same issues. Instead, patients are being required to buy a replacement sleep apnea machine.
Sleep apnea patients do not have to suffer this alone. Many have already contacted attorneys at our firm for help. If you believe you have been injured as a result of using a CPAP machine, please contact us through our website or give us a call at 404-419-9500.
