Robinson v. Endovascular Technologies, Inc.

190 Cal. App. 4th 1490, 119 Cal. Rptr. 3d 158, 2010 Cal. App. LEXIS 2124
CourtCalifornia Court of Appeal
DecidedNovember 19, 2010
DocketNo. H033951
StatusPublished

This text of 190 Cal. App. 4th 1490 (Robinson v. Endovascular Technologies, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering California Court of Appeal primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Robinson v. Endovascular Technologies, Inc., 190 Cal. App. 4th 1490, 119 Cal. Rptr. 3d 158, 2010 Cal. App. LEXIS 2124 (Cal. Ct. App. 2010).

Opinion

Opinion

MIHARA, J.

Plaintiff Thomas S. Robinson, who suffered severe injuries after he was implanted with the Ancure Endograft System (Ancure Device), brought a products liability and personal injury action against defendants Endovascular Technologies, Inc. (EVT), Guidant Corporation (Guidant), Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., and Origin Medsystems, Inc.1 The trial court granted defendants’ motions for summary judgment on the ground that plaintiff’s claims were preempted by federal law. Plaintiff has filed a timely appeal from the judgment of dismissal. We find no error and affirm.

[1493]*1493I. Federal Regulation of Medical Devices

“In enacting the Medical Device Amendments of 1976 (MDA) (21 U.S.C. § 360c et seq.) to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. § 301 et seq.), Congress sought to ‘ “provide for the safety and effectiveness of medical devices intended for human use.” ’ (Medtronic, Inc. v. Lohr (1996) 518 U.S. 470, 474 [135 L.Ed.2d 700, 116 S.Ct. 2240] (Lohr).) The MDA divides medical devices into three classifications: class I, class II, and class III. (21 U.S.C. § 360c(a)(l).) A class III device, such as the Ancure Device, receives the most federal oversight, and requires premarket approval by the FDA.” (McGuan v. Endovascular Technologies, Inc. (2010) 182 Cal.App.4th 974, 977 [106 Cal.Rptr.3d 277] (McGuan).)

However, prior to obtaining premarket approval, a manufacturer of a class HI device may apply for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorization to use the device for clinical testing pursuant to an investigational device exemption (IDE). (See 21 U.S.C. § 360j(g).) A manufacturer is prohibited from conducting research of a device in the United States on human subjects without approval by the FDA and an institutional review board (IRB). (21 C.F.R. §§ 812.20, 812.42, 812.62 (1994).)2

In order to obtain an DDE, an applicant must submit “a plan for any proposed clinical testing of the device and a report of prior investigations of the device” (21 U.S.C. § 360j(g)(3)(A)); information about “the methods, facilities and controls used for the manufacture, processing, packing, storage and . . . installation of the device” (21 C.F.R. §§ 812.20(b)(3) (1994)); an example of agreements to be executed by all investigators and the identities of all such investigators (21 C.F.R. § 812.20(b)(4)-(5) (1994)); details of each DRB that has been or will be asked to review the investigation and certification of the DRB’s decision (21 C.F.R. § 812.20(b)(6) (1994)); details about the institution where the testing will occur (21 C.F.R. § 812.20(b)(7) (1994)); proposed labeling for the device (21 C.F.R. § 812.20(b)(10) (1994));3 and “[cjopies of all forms and informational materials to be provided to subjects to obtain informed consent” (21 C.F.R. § 812.20(b)(ll) (1994)). After reviewing this information, the FDA notifies the applicant that the proposed investigation has been approved, approved with modifications, or disapproved. (21 C.F.R. § 812.30 (1994).)

[1494]*1494After the IDE application has been approved, the FDA prohibits any deviation from the investigational plan, design, manufacturing techniques, clinical protocol, warnings or consent form which could potentially affect clinical subjects unless the FDA first approves the change. (See 21 C.F.R. § 812.35 (1994).) An applicant must maintain records and make reports “to the Secretary of data obtained as a result of the investigational use of the device during the exemption, as the Secretary determines will enable him to assure compliance with such conditions, review the progress of the investigation, and evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the device.” (21 U.S.C. § 360j(g)(2)(B)(ii).) The applicant must also comply with any “other requirements as the Secretary may determine to be necessary for the protection of the public health and safety.” (21 U.S.C. § 360j(g)(2)(B)(iii).) The FDA may withdraw its approval at any time in the event that an applicant does not comply with the approved clinical protocol. (21 C.F.R. § 812.30(b), (c) (1994).)

II. Statement of Facts

In June 1994, defendants submitted an application for an IDE to conduct clinical trials for the bifurcated endovascular grafting system. The bifurcated graft was a companion device to the tube graft that was already being tested under IDE G910177. Shortly thereafter, the FDA sent a letter assigning control number “IDE G940077” to the application. This IDE application consisted of over 650 pages and provided reports of prior investigations, a description of the device, results of various tests performed on the device, an investigational plan, information about the investigators and the IRB, sales information, labeling information, a sample informed consent form, and manufacturing information. In July 1994, the FDA conditionally approved the IDE G940077 application and stated, “ ‘you may begin your investigation at an institution in accordance with the investigational site waiver granted below, after modifying your consent form in accordance with item 1 below.’ ”

In June 1998, defendants submitted a revised protocol as part of “Supplement 25” to the IDE G940077, and requested approval of an “iliac balloon catheter.” A month later, the FDA granted conditional approval of the revised phase III clinical trial protocol for the Ancure Device and requested that defendants respond within 45 days to 12 identified deficiencies. The FDA disapproved of the use of the modified iliac balloon catheter. After defendants submitted additional supplements to IDE G940077 to address the various deficiencies, the FDA noted that defendants were permitted to continue the clinical study of the Ancure Device in October 1998.

[1495]

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
190 Cal. App. 4th 1490, 119 Cal. Rptr. 3d 158, 2010 Cal. App. LEXIS 2124, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/robinson-v-endovascular-technologies-inc-calctapp-2010.