LINX Reflux Device Lawsuit to Reach Trial in 2028

A federal court in Minnesota has scheduled the product liability trial for November 27, 2028.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Appliances

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A federal court in Minnesota has set a November 2028 trial date for a product liability lawsuit against Torax Medical and Ethicon. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should medical device manufacturers be held strictly liable for malfunctions that occur years after implantation?

Deral Vincent has filed a lawsuit against Torax Medical Inc. and Ethicon Inc. alleging the LINX Reflux Management System is defective. The case will move to trial on November 27, 2028, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.

Why it matters

The litigation centers on claims that the medical implant failed after surgery, raising questions about the safety and performance of the device. This case continues to draw attention to the LINX system following a previous recall.

The LINX device consists of a ring of magnetic titanium beads that physically regulate the lower esophageal sphincter. It received FDA approval in March 2012 before Torax Medical initiated a Class II recall of certain units in May 2018.

The players

Deral Vincent

He is the plaintiff who filed the product liability lawsuit against the medical device manufacturers.

Torax Medical Inc.

The company is the original developer and manufacturer of the LINX Reflux Management System.

Ethicon Inc.

A subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, it is named as a defendant in the product liability litigation.

The details

The lawsuit alleges that the manufacturer sold a defective medical implant that failed post-surgery. The LINX device is designed to prevent acid reflux by using magnetic beads that close the sphincter and expand to allow food passage.

Timeline

  1. March 2012: The FDA approved the LINX Reflux Management System.

  2. May 2018: Torax Medical initiated a Class II recall of certain LINX devices.

  3. July 30, 2026: Deral Vincent filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.

  4. November 27, 2028: The trial for the product liability lawsuit is scheduled to begin.

Culture Shift

This case highlights the ongoing scrutiny of medical implant durability in a landscape increasingly defined by rigorous post-market surveillance. It marks a departure from routine device usage toward a more litigious environment for manufacturers following safety recalls.

Patients who currently rely on the LINX device or are considering the procedure may face questions about long-term maintenance and potential failure risks. Readers should consult with their healthcare providers regarding any concerns about their own medical hardware.

The takeaway

Patients implanted with medical devices should remain in communication with their surgeons regarding any unusual symptoms post-operation. Staying informed about device recall status can help individuals manage their long-term health outcomes effectively.

What happens next

The trial proceedings for the lawsuit are scheduled to commence on November 27, 2028.

Further reading

For more on medical device oversight, visit the Appliances section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by AboutLawsuits.

Live Poll

Should medical device manufacturers be held strictly liable for malfunctions that occur years after implantation?