CHARLESTON - A class action lawsuit has been filed against the manufacturers of a heart defibrillator, who claim at least five people have died from lead fractures in the device. The suit seeks $5 million for each member of the class.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Medtronic Inc. failed to properly investigate and correct faulty cable connections with its Lifepak 12 external heart defibrillator, U.S. regulators warned in a letter made public on Tuesday.

Federal regulators claim that Medtronic Inc. failed to correct manufacturing problems and properly investigate complaints related to a model of external defibrillator commonly found in hospitals nationwide.