Cook Medical has been manufacturing minimally invasive medical devices since it was established in 1963. In the 1970’s, it experienced remarkable growth and expanded from it’s headquarters in Bloomington, Indiana to Europe and Asia. In September of 2014, Carl Cook, CEO of Cook Medical, ranked 86^th on Forbes 400 list, boasting a net worth of $6 billion.

Unlike many competitors, Cook Medical does not make transvaginal products with synthetic materials. Instead, they developed a dermis-based device with biomaterials derived from the small intestine of pigs. Following the FDA’s health warning regarding surgical mesh procedures in 2011, Cook Medical issued a press release supporting the FDA’s efforts but encouraging them to acknowledge the difference between synthetic and biologic products.

Transvaginal Mesh Devices

Transvaginal mesh is a synthetic or biologic material permanently implanted in women to repair pelvic organ prolapse (POP) or to support the urethra as a treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI), conditions which arise when the vaginal wall and other supporting muscles have been weakened. This weakening often occurs as a consequence of pregnancy and childbirth, and may also arise from other factors, including aging.

In some cases, the treatment works as planned and women experience dramatically improved quality of life through a relatively mild surgery. However, in many cases, the mesh shrinks once inside the vagina, causing vaginal shortening, tightening, and intense pain. Another more serious possibility is that part of the mesh material does not get absorbed into the tissue as intended and instead remains free inside the pelvic area. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that transvaginal mesh may cause complications such as the erosion of the product into surrounding areas of the pelvis and perforation of pelvic organs.

Recall

Cook Medical has not recalled any of their vaginal mesh products. They continue to claim that because their products are biologic, they are more resistant to infections than their synthetic counterparts. However, some patients and doctors target Cook’s products as less stable and creating a greater risk of infection.

Lawsuits

In June of 2013, Cook Medical was added to the list of transvaginal mesh manufacturers in the multidistrict litigation case being held in West Virginia.

We Can Help

If you or a loved one had transvaginal mesh implantation and developed complications, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Recovery may include compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and loss of spousal consortium. Avram Blair & Associates P.C. is headquartered in Houston, Texas but handles transvaginal mesh cases nationwide. To find out if you have a claim, please call Avram Blair & Associates P.C. at 919-729-5152?? or contact us online for your free consultation.