Reported Reactions

Devices › Automated external defibrillators (non-wearable)

Device brand name · Defibrillators automatic external

Biphasic Lifepak R 500 Automated External Defibrillator: medical device reports filed with FDA

245 reports name it, 2012–2021. Manufacturer given most often on reports: Physio-Control. Product code MKJ.

245
device reports naming the brand
0% of all MAUDE reports · about 17 a year
0
reports, 12 months to August 2026
0 in the 12 months before
96.7%
classified as malfunction
96.8% across the product code
2.9%
classified as death, as reported
7 reports · not verified by FDA

FDA's MAUDE database holds 245 reports that name the brand "Biphasic Lifepak R 500 Automated External Defibrillator" (defibrillators automatic external), received between January 2012 and December 2021; the manufacturer given most often on reports is Physio-Control. Spellings of one product vary from report to report.

0 reports arrived in the 12 months to August 2026, and none in the 12 months before. FDA releases MAUDE data monthly; reports can arrive months after an event, so the newest months grow in later releases. The event types recorded are malfunction (96.7%), death (2.9%) and injury (0.4%); across all automated external defibrillators (non-wearable) reports (product code MKJ) death is recorded in 1.7% and malfunction in 96.8%. Event type is the reporter's classification of the report, not a verified outcome.

The device problems coded most often are failure to power up (38%), device inoperable (20%) and device displays incorrect message (14.7%). The patient problems coded most often are no patient involvement, not applicable and death. FDA states that "MDR data alone cannot be used to establish rates of events, evaluate a change in event rates over time or compare event rates between devices. The number of reports cannot be interpreted or used in isolation to reach conclusions about the existence, severity, or frequency of problems associated with devices." It adds that the reporting system "has limitations, including the potential submission of incomplete, inaccurate, untimely, unverified, or biased data."

Reports by month, five years

012Sep 2021: 0Oct 2021: 2Nov 2021: 0Dec 2021: 12022Jan 2022: 0Feb 2022: 0Mar 2022: 0Apr 2022: 0May 2022: 0Jun 2022: 0Jul 2022: 0Aug 2022: 0Sep 2022: 0Oct 2022: 0Nov 2022: 0Dec 2022: 02023Jan 2023: 0Feb 2023: 0Mar 2023: 0Apr 2023: 0May 2023: 0Jun 2023: 0Jul 2023: 0Aug 2023: 0Sep 2023: 0Oct 2023: 0Nov 2023: 0Dec 2023: 02024Jan 2024: 0Feb 2024: 0Mar 2024: 0Apr 2024: 0May 2024: 0Jun 2024: 0Jul 2024: 0Aug 2024: 0Sep 2024: 0Oct 2024: 0Nov 2024: 0Dec 2024: 02025Jan 2025: 0Feb 2025: 0Mar 2025: 0Apr 2025: 0May 2025: 0Jun 2025: 0Jul 2025: 0Aug 2025: 0Sep 2025: 0Oct 2025: 0Nov 2025: 0Dec 2025: 02026Jan 2026: 0Feb 2026: 0Mar 2026: 0Apr 2026: 0May 2026: 0Jun 2026: 0Jul 2026: 0Aug 2026: 0

Reports by the month FDA received them. FDA releases MAUDE data monthly; reports can arrive months after an event, so the newest months grow in later releases.

By year received

027542012: 4620122013: 4120132014: 4220142015: 5420152016: 1720162017: 1520172018: 2720182021: 32021

Event type and report source

Event type, as classified on the report

Death2.9%7
Injury0.4%1
Malfunction96.7%237
Other0%0
Not given0%0

Who filed the report

Manufacturer report100%245
Voluntary report0%0
User facility report0%0
Distributor report0%0
Not given0%0

Grey bar: all 269,686 reports carrying product code MKJ. Event type is the filer's classification and is not verified by FDA.

Device problems coded

Device problem (FDA code)ReportsShareShare across product code
Failure to power up9338%13%
Device inoperablethe device could not be used4920%1.9%
Device displays incorrect message3614.7%11.6%
Device sensing problem187.3%0.7%
Connection problema connection problem166.5%0.5%
Failure to sense145.7%0.7%
Failure to deliver energy124.9%0.7%
Failure to charge41.6%2.5%
Failure to run on ac/dc41.6%0.9%
Electrical /electronic property probleman electrical or electronic problem31.2%1.9%
Failure to analyze signal31.2%0.5%
Component missing20.8%0.2%
Defibrillation/stimulation problem20.8%3.2%
Inappropriate audible prompt/feedback20.8%0.2%
Leak/splashthe device leaked20.8%0%
Power problem20.8%1%
Unexpected shutdown20.8%1.8%
Burst container or vessel10.4%0%
Device emits odor10.4%0%
Electrical shorting10.4%0.1%

FDA's device problem codes as entered on the report; one report can carry several. Generic codes such as "no apparent adverse event" are left out.

Patient problems coded

Patient problem (FDA code)ReportsShare
No patient involvement15764.1%
Not applicable2711%
Deaththe patient died; cause not stated by this term93.7%
Irritationirritation10.4%
Test result10.4%

Patient problem codes are present mainly in reports filed since 2019 and are often blank.

In context

MeasureBiphasic Lifepak R 500 Automated External DefibrillatorProduct code MKJAll MAUDE reports
Reports245269,68626,136,888
Share of that pool—0.1%0%
Classified as death, per 1,000 reports29179
Classified as injury0.4%0.7%36.2%
Classified as malfunction96.7%96.8%62.3%
Filed by the manufacturer100%99.3%94.9%

Shares are of reports, not of devices in use. FDA states that "MDR data alone cannot be used to establish rates of events, evaluate a change in event rates over time or compare event rates between devices. The number of reports cannot be interpreted or used in isolation to reach conclusions about the existence, severity, or frequency of problems associated with devices." It adds that the reporting system "has limitations, including the potential submission of incomplete, inaccurate, untimely, unverified, or biased data."

Other brands with product code MKJ

BrandReportsLatest 12 monthsClassified as death
M Series27,11242.3%
Heartstart Mrx18,59200.7%
HeartStart MRx -EMS Defibrillator16,166330.8%
Heart Start XL15,944950.9%
R Series Defibrillator15,39300.9%
X Series13,9831,6922.7%
HeartStart XL+ Defibrillator/Monitor13,1882100.4%
Heartstart Onsite10,96400.8%
Aed Plus9,2254232.2%
Heartsine Samaritan 300p And Pad Pak8,19700.3%
E Series Defibrillator8,05201.5%
Lifepak R 15 Monitor/Defibrillator6,1174631.4%
Heartstart Frx5,97821.3%
Efficia Dfm1005,07600.6%
LIFEPAK 15 defibrillator/monitor4,7163691%

Ordered by report count for navigation only. FDA states that "MDR data alone cannot be used to establish rates of events, evaluate a change in event rates over time or compare event rates between devices. The number of reports cannot be interpreted or used in isolation to reach conclusions about the existence, severity, or frequency of problems associated with devices." It adds that the reporting system "has limitations, including the potential submission of incomplete, inaccurate, untimely, unverified, or biased data." FDA also states that "common products may have a higher number of adverse events due to the higher total number of people using the product."

Questions about Biphasic Lifepak R 500 Automated External Defibrillator reports

How many FDA reports name Biphasic Lifepak R 500 Automated External Defibrillator?

245 medical device reports in the openFDA MAUDE release of 28 Sep 2026, covering reports received through August 2026; 0 in the latest 12 months.

What kinds of events are reported?

malfunction (96.7%), death (2.9%) and injury (0.4%). "Event type" is how the report was classified when filed: death, injury, malfunction or other.

What device problems are coded?

failure to power up (38%), device inoperable (20%), device displays incorrect message (14.7%), device sensing problem (7.3%) and connection problem (6.5%). These are FDA's device problem codes as entered on the report.

Who files these reports?

manufacturer reports (100%). Manufacturers and user facilities are required to report; voluntary reports come from health professionals and the public.

Do these reports show that Biphasic Lifepak R 500 Automated External Defibrillator was at fault?

No. FDA states that "MDR data alone cannot be used to establish rates of events, evaluate a change in event rates over time or compare event rates between devices. The number of reports cannot be interpreted or used in isolation to reach conclusions about the existence, severity, or frequency of problems associated with devices." It adds that the reporting system "has limitations, including the potential submission of incomplete, inaccurate, untimely, unverified, or biased data." FDA adds that "a causal relationship cannot be established between product and reactions listed in a report."

How do I report a problem with a medical device?

Through FDA MedWatch (Form FDA 3500 for health professionals and consumers), or to the manufacturer. See the guide on how to report.

Where this comes from. Counts are built from the openFDA Device Adverse Event (MAUDE) bulk export released 28 Sep 2026, which holds reports FDA received through 31 Aug 2026. Brand, generic and manufacturer names are as written on the reports; product code names come from FDA's device classification. A report counts here when any device it lists carries this brand name after punctuation and capitalisation are normalised. No report narrative, lot number, patient detail or reporter identity is published. See the methodology and sources; FDA's record is authoritative, and corrections are handled within five working days.

Drug data (FAERS) through 30 Jun 2026; device data (MAUDE) through 31 Aug 2026. Not medical advice.