Model note · Ventilator
Covidien Puritan Bennett 980 Series Ventilator System
The Puritan Bennett 980 is Medtronic's dual microprocessor, touchscreen critical care ventilator for neonates through adults. Medtronic stopped making it in March 2024 but supports each unit for 10 years from manufacture, so large fleets remain in service until the early 2030s. Its recall history covers software, the GUI, batteries and alarm outputs.
The model
Maker, model and type.
- Maker
- Covidien LLC (Medtronic)
- Model
- Puritan Bennett 980 Series Ventilator System (PB980, including 980 Plus)
- Device type
- Ventilator
- Main document
- Open the public document
Key specifications
What the public record says.
| Item | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Patient range and tidal volume | Predicted body weight from 0.3 kg; mandatory volume breaths 2 to 2500 mL | Source |
| Gas supply | Medical oxygen and compressed air from external supply or optional internal compressor; FiO2 21 to 100% | Source |
| Architecture | Dual microprocessor, touchscreen controlled critical care ventilator for invasive and non invasive ventilation | Source |
| Use environment | Hospitals and institutions, and intra hospital transport | Source |
| Options added in K193056 | Integrated Aerogen nebuliser, High Flow Oxygen Therapy, NIV+ software, PDRIVE monitored parameter, updated IE Sync algorithm | Source |
| FDA classification and clearances | Continuous ventilator, facility use, 21 CFR 868.5895, Class II, product code CBK; K131252 (2014), K162738 (2017), K193056 (20 November 2020) | Source |
| Standards | IEC 60601-1 3rd edition, ISO 80601-2-12, ISO 80601-2-55, IEC 60601-1-8, IEC 60601-1-2 4th edition, IEC 62304 | Source |
| Battery accessory | Rechargeable Li-ion battery, item 10086042 | Source |
| Lifecycle | Manufacture ended March 2024; support for 10 years from manufacture date; no support after 31 December 2034 | Source |
Recalls
Known FDA recalls.
- Z-0966-20222022-03-25
Audible alarm or omni directional LED alarm light may not work during alarm states.
FDA record - Z-0338-20222021-11-04
Incorrectly assembled capacitor could make the ventilator inoperable.
FDA record - Z-0425-20212020-10-16
Battery pack overheating or thermal damage with smoke risk.
FDA record - Z-0497-20192018-09-18
Software update for external USB drive performance affecting the GUI and waveform labelling.
FDA record - Z-1208-20182017-11-21
Li-ion batteries with incorrect firmware may not fully charge.
FDA record - Z-1181-20162016-01-15
GUI unresponsive to touch and loss of primary ventilation in certain circumstances.
FDA record - Z-2329-20152015-07-16
Low delivered tidal volume in neonatal VC+ with active humidification.
FDA record - Z-0180-20152014-10-01
Backlight inverter board capacitor failure causing dim screen and thermal odour.
FDA record
Safety
Safety warnings from the record.
- Silent or dark alarms delay response and may lead to hypoxia, cardiac arrest or death. Source
- Overheating batteries can release smoke or hazardous materials, with risk of burns or bronchospasm. Source
- In neonatal VC+ with active humidification, delivered tidal volumes were reported below set values. Source
- A 2016 action covered an unresponsive GUI and loss of primary ventilation under certain circumstances. Source
Sources
Where this note comes from.
- Medtronic Puritan Bennett 980 product page (US)
- FDA 510(k) K193056 summary, Puritan Bennett 980 Series Ventilator System
- openFDA recall search, Puritan Bennett 980
- openFDA MAUDE problem counts, brand Puritan Bennett 980
Not covered: Medtronic's technical specification PDF blocked automated access, so weight, battery run time, flow and pressure ranges, sound level and environmental limits are not included. The operator's manual (item 10077893) with alarm messages is listed by Medtronic but was not opened, so errorCodes is empty. MAUDE reports are split across several brand spellings and each has only a handful, so no failure trend is given. Recall text was read through openFDA because FDA recall pages returned errors at drafting time.
BMEssentia knowledge drafted from public information, reviewed by Hasan Khaled Ismail on 2026-10-24. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for use and service manual.