Natick manufacturer to pay $500K over defective IV pumps

Zyno Medical, a Natick-based intravenous pump manufacturer, has agreed to pay nearly $500,000 to resolve allegations it knowingly distributed defective medical devices.

The distributed IV pumps, used to deliver controlled doses of chemotherapy and other medications, were known to be defective as early as November 2015, according to a Dec. 23 release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. The defects caused leaks during the administration of medication, and Zyno did not recall the devices until July 2016, according to the release.

Zyno Medical acknowledged in the settlement agreement its continued sale of the defective devices for several months after becoming aware of the leaks that had occurred and could continue to occur. The devices were utilized by Medicare beneficiaries. 

The $493,140 civil settlement will resolve allegations the company violated the False Claims Act. Under provisions of the act, whistleblowers who brought claims against Zyno Medical will receive 20% of the recovery.