The TriFix Spinal System is indicated for degenerative disc disease (defined as discogenic back pain with degeneration of the disc confirmed by history and radiographic studies). Levels of fixation are for the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine. The Tri-Fix Spinal System is a pedicle screw system intended to provide immobilization and stabilization of spinal segments in skeletally mature patients as an adjunct to fusion in the treatment of the following acute and chronic instabilities or deformities of the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine: degenerative spondylolisthesis with objective evidence of neurologic impairment, fracture, dislocation, scoliosis, kyphosis, spinal tumor, and failed previous fusion (pseudoarthrosis). The posterior Tri-Fix Spinal System is also indicated for pedicle screw fixation for severe spondylolithesis (grades 3 and 4) at L5-S1, in skeletally mature patients, when autogenous bone graft is used, when affixed to the posterior lumbosacral spine, and intended to be removed after solid fusion is attained. Levels of fixation are from L3-S1. The posterior Tri-Fix System, when not used with pedicle screws is indicated for hook, wire, and /or sacral screw fixation from T1 to the ilium sacrum. The non-pedicle screw indications are spondylolithesis, degenerative disc disease, (defined as discogenic back pain with degeneration of the disc confirmed by history and radiographic studies), deformities (scoliosis, lordosis and kyphosis), tumor, fracture, and previous failed fusion surgery.
Device Story
Tri-Fix Spinal Fixation System; posterior spinal fixation hardware including screws, rods, plates, and accessory connectors. Used by surgeons in clinical settings for spinal fusion procedures. Provides mechanical immobilization and stabilization of spinal segments. Titanium construction. Output is physical structural support to facilitate bone fusion. Benefits patient by stabilizing unstable spinal segments and correcting deformities.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Biomechanical testing demonstrated that the stiffness range of the Tri-Fix Spinal System is within the range of the predicate ISOLA Spinal System.
Technological Characteristics
Titanium construction (ASTM F136). Components include screws, rods, plates, and accessory connection components. Non-sterile, single-use device. Mechanical fixation system.
Indications for Use
Indicated for skeletally mature patients requiring spinal immobilization/stabilization as an adjunct to fusion. Conditions: degenerative disc disease, degenerative spondylolisthesis with neurologic impairment, fracture, dislocation, scoliosis, kyphosis, spinal tumor, pseudoarthrosis, and severe spondylolisthesis (grades 3-4 at L5-S1). Levels: thoracic, lumbar, sacral spine (T1 to ilium sacrum).
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A spinal interlaminal fixation orthosis is a device intended to be implanted made of an alloy, such as stainless steel, that consists of various hooks and a posteriorly placed compression or distraction rod. The device is implanted, usually across three adjacent vertebrae, to straighten and immobilize the spine to allow bone grafts to unite and fuse the vertebrae together. The device is used primarily in the treatment of scoliosis (a lateral curvature of the spine), but it also may be used in the treatment of fracture or dislocation of the spine, grades 3 and 4 of spondylolisthesis (a dislocation of the spinal column), and lower back syndrome.
Predicate Devices
ISOLA Spinal System (DePuy, Acromed, Inc.)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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K011830 p/3
# (JUL 2 ) 2001
## Section 7 - 510(k) Summary of Safety and Effectiveness
#### 7.1 This summary of 510(k) safety and effectiveness information is being submitted Statement in accordance with the requirements of SMDA 1990 and CFR 807.92
7.2 Endius, Inc. Submitter 23 West Bacon Street Plainville, MA. 02762
7.3 Susan Finneran Company Director RA Contact 508-643-0983 Ext. 114
7.4 Proprietary Name: Device Tri-Fix Spinal Fixation System Name Common Name: Pedicle Screw System , Non-pedicle spinal fixation system Classification Name: Spinal Pedicle Screw (MNI),Spinal Interlaminal fixation orthosis (KWP), Spondylolithesis Spinal Fixation Device System (MNH)
7.5 The TriFix Spinal System is substantially equivalent to the ISOLA Spinal Predicate System (DePuy, Acromed, Inc., Cleveland OH) for the indication of Legally Degenerative Disc Disease. Marketed Devices
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# Ko11830 p 3
The Tri-Fix Spinal System is a system that is intended to be used for posterior 7.6 Device lumbar fusion procedures. The system is manufactured from titanium which Description complies with ASTM F136. The components, which are included as part of the system, include screws, rods, plates, and accessory connection components. 7.7 The TriFix Spinal System is indicated for degenerative disc disease (defined as Device discogenic back pain with degeneration of the disc confirmed by history and Indications radiographic studies). Levels of fixation are for the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral and spine. Intended The Tri-Fix Spinal System is a pedicle screw system intended to provide Use immobilization and stabilization of spinal segments in skeletally mature patients as an adjunct to fusion in the treatment of the following acute and chronic instabilities or deformities of the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine: degenerative spondylolisthesis with objective evidence of neurologic impairment, fracture, dislocation, scoliosis, kyphosis, spinal tumor, and failed previous fusion (pseudoarthrosis). The posterior Tri-Fix Spinal System is also indicated for pedicle screw fixation for severe spondylolithesis (grades 3 and 4) at L5-S1, in skeletally mature patients, when autogenous bone graft is used, when affixed to the posterior lumbosacral spine, and intended to be removed after solid fusion is attained. Levels of fixation are from L3-S1. The posterior Tri-Fix System, when not used with pedicle screws is indicated for hook, wire, and /or sacral screw fixation from T1 to the ilium sacrum. The non-pedicle screw indications are spondylolithesis, degenerative disc disease, (defined as discogenic back pain with degeneration of the disc confirmed by history and radiographic studies), deformities (scoliosis, lordosis and kyphosis), tumor, fracture, and previous failed fusion surgery.
## 7.8 Substantial Equivalence
The TriFix Spinal System is substantially equivalent to the ISOLA Spinal System (DePuy, Acromed, Inc., Cleveland OH) for all indications.
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风011830 03/3
#### Table of Substantial Equivalence 7.9
| | Tri-Fix Spinal System | ISOLA Spinal System |
|-------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Indications for Use | See above | Identical |
| Materials | Titanium | Stainless Steel or Titanium |
| Product Labeling | Instructions for use and<br>box labeling including<br>all of the necessary<br>warning statements | Instructions for use and box<br>labeling including all of the<br>necessary warning statements |
| Packaging/<br>Sterilization | Non-sterile, single use<br>only | Non-sterile, single use only |
| Biomechanical<br>Test Results | Stiffness Range=<br>within the range of<br>ISOLA | Stiffness Range=<br>Outside the range of TriFix |
Applicant
Date__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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#### DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Image /page/3/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo is a circular emblem with the words "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES • USA" arranged around the top half of the circle. Inside the circle is a stylized image of an eagle with three human profiles incorporated into its design.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
Ms. Susan Finneran Director Regulatory Affairs/ Clinical Sciences Endius, Inc. 23 West Bacon Street Plainville, Massachusetts 02762
JUL 2 3 2001
Re: K011830
Trade Name: Tri-Fix Spinal Fixation System Regulatory Class: Class III, Class II Regulatory Number: 888.3070, 888.3050, Product Code: MNI, MNH, KWP Dated: June 11, 2001 Received: June 12, 2001
Dear Ms. Finneran:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) notification of intent to market the device referenced above and we have determined the device is substantially equivalent (for the indications for use stated in the enclosure) to devices marketed in interstate commerce prior to May 28, 1976, the enactment date of the Medical Device Amendments, or to devices that have been reclassified in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Act). You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the general controls provisions of the Act. The general controls provisions of the Act include requirements for annual registration, listing of devices, good manufacturing practice, labeling, and prohibitions against misbranding and adulteration.
::
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (Premarket Approval), it may be subject to such additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 895. A substantially equivalent determination assumes compliance with the current Good Manufacturing Practice requirement, as set forth in the Quality System Regulation (QS) for Medical Devices: General regulation (21 CFR Part 820) and that, through periodic (QS) inspections, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will verify such assumptions. Failure to comply with the GMP regulation may result in regulatory action. In addition, FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register. Please note: this response to your premarket notification submission does not affect any obligation you might have under sections 531 through 542 of the Act for devices under the Electronic Product Radiation Control provisions, or other Federal laws or regulations.
This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your 510(k) premarket notification. The FDA finding of substantial equivalence of your device to a legally marketed predicate device results in a classification for your device and thus, permits your device to proceed to the market.
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Page 2 - Ms. Susan Finneran
If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801 and additionally 809.10 for in vitro diagnostic devices), please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4659. Additionally, for questions on the promotion and advertising of your device, please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4639. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21 CFR 807.97). Other general information on your responsibilities under the Act may be obtained from the Division of Small Manufacturers Assistance at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or at (301) 443-6597, or at its Internet address "http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/dsmamain.html".
Sincerely yours,
Mrelellertop
Celia M. Witten, Ph.D., M.D. Director Division of General, Restorative and Neurological Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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## 510(k) Number (if known): KO( ( 3 0
## Device Name: Tri-Fix Spinal Fixation System (Stainless Steel and Titanium)
### Indications for Use:
The TriFix Spinal System is indicated for degenerative disc disease (defined as discogenic back pain with degeneration of the disc confirmed by history and radiographic studies). Levels of fixation are for the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine.
The Tri-Fix Spinal System is a pedicle screw system intended to provide immobilization and stabilization of spinal segments in skeletally mature patients as an adjunct to fusion in the treatment of the following acute and chronic instabilities or deformities of the thoracic lumbar. and sacral spine: degenerative spondylolisthesis with objective evidence of neurologic impairment, fracture, dislocation, scoliosis, kyphosis, spinal tumor, and failed previous fusion (pseudoarthrosis).
The posterior Tri-Fix Spinal System is also indicated for pedicle screw fixation for severe spondylolithesis (grades 3 and 4) at L5-S1, in skeletally mature patients, when autogenous bone graft is used, when affixed to the posterior lumbosacral spine, and intended to be removed after solid fusion is attained. Levels of fixation are from L3-S1.
The posterior Tri-Fix System, when not used with pedicle screws is indicated for hook, wire, and/or sacral screw fixation from T1 to the ilium sacrum. The non-pedications are spondylolithesis, degenerative disc disease, (defined as discogenic back pain with mateautins and of the disc confirmed by history and radiographic studies), deformities (scoliosis, and kyphosis), tumor, fracture, and previous failed fusion surgery.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE OF NEEDED)
Concurence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
(Optional Format 3-10-98) (Posted July 1, 1998) Division of General, Restorative and Neurological Devices 510(k) Number
Two short videos show you everything — or skip straight to the written tutorial if you'd rather read. You can reopen this any time from the Tutorial button in the top bar.
Part 1 — Search, results, and everyday workflows 16 min
Part 2 — Embeddings: the galaxy map 3 min
1. Search: exact and fuzzy
Type a phrase like "coronary artery calcification" into the search box. You get two kinds of results. Exact results match the literal phrase — prefix searches work ("coronary artery calcificati") but suffix searches do not. Fuzzy results match on the meaning and intent of your phrase rather than the exact words, and are sorted by relevance score. Hover over the Exact or Fuzzy badge on any row to see exactly why it matched.
Use the checkboxes above the results to narrow: SaMD keeps only software-only devices, AI / ML keeps only devices with AI.
Exact vs. fuzzy search: what's the difference?
Exact matches on the literal phrase (prefix search works, suffix does not). Fuzzy matches on the meaning and intent of the phrase rather than the exact words. Hover over the badge on any row to see why it matched.
You search "coronary artery calcification" and want only software devices with AI. What two filters do you apply?
Narrow by SaMD (software-only devices), then narrow by AI/ML (devices with AI).
2. The results table
Scroll right in the results table. The intended use is extracted for you — no need to open the PDF. The device story gives a high-level snapshot of what the device does and how it's used. The AI Performance sub-table shows each output name, acceptance criteria, observed values, and development/test dataset descriptions — the same format Innolitics uses for regulatory strategy outputs, and the fastest high-level fingerprint of an AI device. It is AI-generated but has been very reliable in practice.
Where do you find a device's intended use without opening the PDF?
Scroll right in the search results table. The intended use column is extracted for you; no need to dig into the 510(k) summary PDF.
What does the AI Performance sub-table show, and why is it useful?
Output name, acceptance criteria, observed values, development dataset description, and test dataset description. It's the same format we use for regulatory strategy output and Fast 510(k) input, and the fastest high-level fingerprint of an AI device. AI-generated but reliable in practice.
3. Judging fuzzy relevance
Fuzzy results trail off in relevance as you scroll. Use three signals to decide how far down to go: the fuzzy badge explanations, the intended use column, and whether your target output (e.g., Cobb angle) still appears in the AI Performance sub-table. Once it stops appearing, you're past the relevant zone. A top hit with a low score (~0.4) and a stretched explanation is a hint the closest predicates are far away — the project may be headed for De Novo. Note the fuzzy search is a pattern match: it doesn't handle negation ("not") well, and hardware devices can appear — filter by SaMD/AI ML to cut them.
How do you judge how far down fuzzy search results to go?
Use the relevancy signals: the fuzzy badge explanations, the intended use column, and whether the target output (e.g., Cobb angle) still appears in the AI Performance sub-table. Once it stops appearing, results are trailing off in relevancy.
4. Device detail page: chat and citations
Click a device name to open its detail page: device facts on the left, a chat window on the right. Ask something like "Describe the training data". The answer carries little citation bubbles — click one to jump to the highlighted passage in the source PDF, so you can verify every AI answer against the document. There's also a Download PDF button for sharing.
How do you verify an AI chat answer on the device detail page?
Click the citation bubbles to jump to the relevant highlight in the source document.
Reading rule for every project: how many summaries do you read in full?
At least the three most relevant 510(k) or De Novo summaries, in full. After that, use targeted chat questions to confirm your memory quickly. The tool supports this professional habit — it doesn't replace it.
5. Side-by-side comparison
Select multiple rows in the results table (aim for under ~10), then open the PDF Viewer tab. Ask one question — it goes to all selected devices in parallel, each with citations. This is the fastest way to compare and contrast devices: training data, PCCP scope, how they handled adding new scanners, and so on.
What does the side-by-side PDF viewer mode do?
Select multiple devices, open the PDF viewer tab, and ask one question (e.g., "Describe the training data"). It queries all selected devices simultaneously with citations, so you can compare and contrast quickly.
6. Collections
With rows selected, go to the Collections tab and create a labeled collection (e.g., "Cobb Angle Project"). Reload that selection any time — before a client call, pull up the collection and ask questions across all of its devices at once.
How do you save a set of selected devices for later use?
Select the rows, go to the Collections tab, and create a labeled collection (e.g., "Cobb Angle Project"). You can reload the selection anytime and carry it into the PDF viewer and other tabs that support selections.
7. Product codes and the regulations tree
Click a product code in the results to jump to it in the regulations tree — identification text, sibling product codes, and devices you can open in a PDF viewer on the right. Click a regulation number to see its identification, special controls, and related product codes. You can also search by product code or regulation number at the top of the tree. Always read the special controls if any exist for your device — it broadens your search and sharpens pre-kickoff research.
What can you do from the regulations tree view?
Browse product codes and regulation numbers, read the identification text and special controls, browse sibling product codes, open device PDFs on the right, and search by product code or regulation number at the top of the tree.
8. Chart view
Click Show Chart and segment by regulation number (or product code) to see which regulations dominate your result set. Clicking a regulation takes you into the regulations tree. Great for spotting that most matches are, say, hardware laparoscopic devices — a cue to go back and filter.
How do you see which regulations dominate a search result set?
Click "Show Chart" and segment by Regulation Number. Clicking a regulation takes you to the regulations tree.
9. The predicate graph
Open the Predicates tab for a family-tree view of predicate relationships. Click a node to trace its parents and children; selections from search carry over pre-selected. Commonly predicated devices are worth reading — a lot of people predicated them for a reason. The visual lineage is also handy on client calls, e.g. to show how a predicate family evolved and justify why your predicate still holds.
In the predicate graph, why are commonly predicated devices worth reading?
A lot of people predicated them for a reason. Clicking a node traces parents and children, and selections from search carry over pre-selected.
10. Embeddings: the galaxy map
The Embeddings tab plots every matching document in a 2-D "galaxy map" where semantically similar devices cluster together. Hover or click clusters to explore, and let AI label the clusters for you. Embeddings beat product codes for grouping: two devices can carry different product codes (LLZ vs. QIH) yet do the same thing — the embedding captures the meaning of the intended use and device story. This is also exactly how retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) works under the hood, and it makes a great visual on client calls.
Try it yourself
Head to the search page and work through a few of these AI/ML fuzzy searches to build intuition: perivascular fat on CT · aortic valve calcification opportunistic screening on noncontrast CT · breast cancer prediction on digital pathology slides · autism detection · gestational age prediction · a hearing aid that can also detect a pulse · foundation model based analysis of ECG · large language models · penetration test. Watch how the relevance scores, intended use, and AI Performance tables tell you when results stop being meaningful.