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# Court Backs FDA, Medtronic in Stimulator Suits
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/court-backs-fda-medtronic-in-stimulator-suits/
- Published: 2026-07-16T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T13:43:05.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Devices, #legacy-id-D5161467

A Minnesota federal judge has ruled in favor of FDA and Medtronic in three of four spinal cord stimulator (SCS) lawsuits. *MassDevice* [reports](https://www.massdevice.com/medtronic-fda-legal-victories-scs-suits/?ref=fdaweb.com) online that the suits claimed that the Medtronic SCS systems implanted in four patients caused damage. The judge ruled that all claims from three of the four plaintiffs were time-barred. Claims from the remaining plaintiff, who received a 2024 implant, were allowed to proceed, the report says.

All four plaintiffs asserted product liability and related claims against Medtronic and sought to sue FDA, claiming the devices had not undergone the proper regulatory approval process.

The judge allowed one claim to move forward alleging a manufacturing defect related to the SCS the plaintiff received in 2024.

While that plaintiff’s strict liability claim was barred, the post says, the judge allowed manufacturing defect claims against Medtronic including improper assembly, defective battery control firmware, flawed charging telemetry integration, and defective anchoring or lead stabilization mechanisms. The plaintiff’s claim against FDA was dropped.