Torax LINX Acid Reflux Device Lawsuit

On June 13, 2024, Terri Lynn Rubin filed a lawsuit against Torax Medical, Inc. and Ethicon, Inc. This Torax LINX acid reflux device lawsuit was a product liability case in Minnesota Federal Court. The Texas woman alleged that she received a LINX medical device to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (“GERD”).

After receiving the LINX device, her GERD recurred. Rubin had to have another surgery to remove the failed device and correct her problems.

The LINX device is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease. The device is composed of a ring of magnetic beads held together by titanium wires. The design resembles a bracelet and is designed to wrap around the lower esophagus sphincter (LES).

The lower esophagus is a hollow, muscular tube that controls the flow of food between your throat and stomach. If the esophagus does not function properly, a variety of medical issues can occur, including GERD.

The LINX device is designed to help regulate the esophagus. It opens and closes a ringlet of magnetic beads that wraps around the esophagus. However, if the LINX device does not function properly, that can lead to recurrence of the original problems. This also creates potential for a whole host of new medical problems.

Rubin’s Lawsuit

Rubin claims that the Defendants, Torax and Ethicon, who make the LINX device, created it in a faulty condition. She says the defects violate federal rules established by the FDA.

These rules come from the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. They are designed to keep consumers safe when using medical devices. She claims the device was manufactured with little regard for the specifications approved by the FDA. Rubin is suing the company on claims of manufacturing defect, strict liability, and negligence.

The FDA approved the LINX device in March 2012. They issued a recall for the device only six years later. In that 2018 recall, Defendant Torax noted that numerous devices suffered from an “out of specification condition”. This condition would allow “a bead component to separate from an adjacent wire link.”

These defects could result in malfunction of the device. Malfunctions can cause injury in patients and/or causing the device to simply not work properly.

Many reports also indicated that the devices did not work properly while manufacturers still made them. Users suffered injuries including device migration causing puncturing of organs.

Researchers originally developed the LINX device in Minnesota. The U.S. District Court in Minnesota, has received multiple LINX lawsuits similar to Terri Lynn Rubin.

Injuries From LINX

If you have received injuries from a defective LINX device, you may be entitled to compensation. Some of the following recurring injuries include.

• LINX device failures and breaks
• LINX device migration/movement
• Punctures to the organs
• Removal surgery of LINX device

Next Steps

More and more people are reporting injuries from LINX devices. At our law firm, we are actively investigating cases where patients have suffered injuries after receiving medical devices. The LINX device is just one of them.

Rubin is just one example of the dangers of the LINX devices. Her story serves as a warning for others that already have these devices implanted. If you or a loved one has suffered from complications after receiving the LINX device, contact us. We will provide a a no-cost consultation to see if we can assist.