Products > Dodgy Technology
Abbott glucose meters under recall for catching fire.
AlbertL:
I'll just stick with my trusty Theranos machine, thank you!
Kasper:
--- Quote from: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/medical-device-recalls/abbott-recalls-readers-used-freestyle-libre-freestyle-libre-14-day-and-freestyle-libre-2-flash ---The potential for overheating, spark, or fire may occur when charging the Reader with non- Abbott adapters or non-Abbott USB cables combined with misuse of the Reader and its components. Examples of misuse include exposure to liquids, damage, and introduction of foreign material into the ports
--- End quote ---
Recall says problem is from non-Abbott USB COMBINED WITH misuse.
Perhaps the charger is 'fine' but liquids in the connector cause a low current path that when combined with a sufficiently powerful charger, makes enough heat to ignite the battery.
The battery plug is fairly far from the USB connector. I think that is mild evidence there is a charger IC between them.
Psi:
--- Quote from: Kasper on September 18, 2023, 03:45:22 am ---
--- Quote from: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/medical-device-recalls/abbott-recalls-readers-used-freestyle-libre-freestyle-libre-14-day-and-freestyle-libre-2-flash ---The potential for overheating, spark, or fire may occur when charging the Reader with non- Abbott adapters or non-Abbott USB cables combined with misuse of the Reader and its components. Examples of misuse include exposure to liquids, damage, and introduction of foreign material into the ports
--- End quote ---
Recall says problem is from non-Abbott USB COMBINED WITH misuse.
Perhaps the charger is 'fine' but liquids in the connector cause a low current path that when combined with a sufficiently powerful charger, makes enough heat to ignite the battery.
The battery plug is fairly far from the USB connector. I think that is mild evidence there is a charger IC between them.
--- End quote ---
The 'misuse' is probably leaving it on the charger for longer than it says in the manual.
Veteran68:
Ok, so I'm a diabetic and had been on the FreeStyle Libre 14-day sensor system for a few years now before upgrading this year to the Libre 3 system. I rarely used the included scanner/test strip reader, rather I use my iPhone+app to read the CGM sensor on the back of my arm. The severity of my condition is relatively minor -- I don't take insulin, and treat my disease with meds+diet+exercise (well, occasional exercise, lol).
On the rare occasion that I have used the reader device, I don't recall ever using the included charger. I'm not even sure where it is. I have a USB micro cable routed to my nightstand from a standard 5V/1A USB port built into a power strip under the bed. We use this to charge random USB micro devices. I've used that to charge my reader overnight or at least for several hours during the day. I don't leave it (or anything) plugged in for days. I've never noticed it getting warm enough to catch my attention.
My 14 Day reader looks just like the blue Libre 2 reader in the video thumbnail posted above, except it's black instead of blue. Like this one:
The Libre 2 was an upgrade to the Libre 14 Day model that IIRC added Bluetooth alerts. When I upgraded I skipped to the latest Libre 3 which continuously communicates with my phone over BTLE so I no longer need to scan at all other than to activate a new sensor every 2 weeks. The Libre 3 does not ship with a reader as it's aimed entirely at phone+app use, however I can still use the 14 Day reader with test strips as before should I need to, so I keep it in my bag.
As to the comments about getting blood into the USB port, I have a hard time understanding how that could ever happen. To use a test strip, you prick your finger to get a tiny DROP of blood, and it wicks up into the test strip -- there is no liquid blood standing, pouring, or dripping anywhere. You'd have to be pretty intentional to get blood into the USB port, especially considering the USB port is on the side of the unit while the test strip port is at the bottom. It's not like they're close to each other. If you're bleeding THAT much during a test, you're doing it wrong and probably have a more dire emergency happening!
I believe my 14 Day reader is included in the recall, but I've not bothered to return it, because it's not plugged into a high-power charger, I've never noticed it get hot, and I rarely use it. However this has me curious enough to try it with one of my USB power meters and various chargers to see if it actually limits itself or will it pull the max current (USB micro is rated at 2A max).
I often see device manufacturers admonish you to use only their supplied charger, even if it's bog standard USB. I always interpret this to be a weak attempt at vendor lock-in, or an excuse to deny support/warranty, and not for any legitimate technical reason.
Kasper:
--- Quote from: Veteran68 on September 18, 2023, 02:48:30 pm --- However this has me curious enough to try it with one of my USB power meters and various chargers to see if it actually limits itself or will it pull the max current (USB micro is rated at 2A max).
--- End quote ---
I bet it will draw its normal charging current unless you "include exposure to liquids, damage, and introduction of foreign material into the ports"
Seems the odds of an incident are about 100 : 4,000,000.
--- Quote ---There have been 88 incidents, including at least seven reports of fires, one injury, and no deaths involving this issue.
Devices Recalled in the U.S.: 4,210,785
--- End quote ---
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