Philips to recall more sleep apnea masks after pacemaker problems emerge

Technology firm Philips has revealed more problems with its sleep apnea machines after it emerged that the masks can interfere with heart pacemakers. Philips launched a recall action for 5.5 million devices worldwide after the foam used to dampen noise in the masks was found to be at risk of degrading, creating a risk of patients inhaling or ingesting the particles. The American medical watchdog FDA published its own warning on Tuesday evening, urging patients and caregivers to replace the Philips Respironics machines because of a ‘serious safety concern’. At least 300 people have launched claims against Philips in the US for damage to their health and the number could rise as high as 60,000, claims lawyers have said.