MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The United States is suing Boston Scientific, alleging its Guidant unit knew some of its heart devices were defective but continued to sell them anyway.

The U.S. filed a complaint Thursday in federal court in Minnesota.

The government says Guidant knew as early as April 2002 that one of its implantable heart devices might not deliver a life-saving jolt when needed. A similar problem was found in another model in 2003.

The complaint says Guidant fixed the problems, but continued to sell the defective devices it had in stock.

Company spokesman Paul Donovan says Guidant will respond to the allegations appropriately.

Guidant has pleaded guilty to misleading the Food and Drug Administration about problems with the devices, and last month was ordered to pay $296 million in fines and fees. Boston Scientific acquired Guidant in 2006.

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