MODIFICATION TO: VECTORVISION FRAMELESS BIOPSY SYSTEM
Applicant
Brainlab AG
Product Code
HAW · Neurology
Decision Date
Sep 6, 2001
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Special
Regulation
21 CFR 882.4560
Device Class
Class 2
Indications for Use
The BrainLAB VectorVision Frameless Biopsy System is intended to be an intraoperative image guided localization system to enable minimally invasive surgery. It links a freehand probe, tracked by a passive marker sensor system to virtual computer image space on a patient's preoperative image data being processed by a VectorVision workstation. The system is indicated for any medical condition in which the use of stereotactic surgery may be appropriate and where a reference to a rigid anatomical structure, such as the skull, a long bone or vertebra, can be identified relative to a CT, X-ray or MR based model of the anatomy. Example procedures include but are not limited to: Cranial Procedures: Cranial biopsies. Tumor resections. Craniotomies/ Craniectomies. Skull base procedures. Thalamotomies/ Pallidotomies. Spinal Procedures: Spinal implant procedures such as pedicle screw placement. ENT Procedures: Transphenoidal procedures. Intranasal procedures. Sinus procedures, such as Maximillary antrostomies, Ethmoidectomies, Sphenoidotomies/Sphenoid explorations, Turbinate resections and Frontal sinusotomies
Device Story
VectorVision Frameless Biopsy System is an intraoperative image-guided localization system. Input: preoperative patient image data (CT, X-ray, MR) and real-time tracking of a freehand probe via a passive marker sensor system. Transformation: VectorVision workstation processes image data and maps tracked probe position into virtual computer image space. New features include a multiarticulated arm providing mechanical support to limit instrument degrees of freedom (zero or one), enhancing stability and efficiency for serial or multi-target approaches. Output: visual guidance on workstation display. Used in OR by surgeons to navigate instruments relative to patient anatomy. Benefit: simplified trajectory determination, increased surgical stability, and improved accuracy for minimally invasive procedures.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data provided; bench testing only.
Technological Characteristics
System comprises a VectorVision workstation, passive marker sensor system, and a multiarticulated mechanical arm. Operates as an image-guided localization system using preoperative CT, X-ray, or MR data. Connectivity involves integration between the tracking sensor and the workstation. Software-based image processing maps physical probe position to virtual image space.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients requiring stereotactic surgery where rigid anatomical structures (skull, long bone, vertebra) can be referenced to preoperative CT, X-ray, or MR imaging. Applicable for cranial, spinal, and ENT procedures including biopsies, resections, and implant placements.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A stereotaxic instrument is a device consisting of a rigid frame with a calibrated guide mechanism for precisely positioning probes or other devices within a patient's brain, spinal cord, or other part of the nervous system.
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# 510 (k) Summary of Safety and Effectiveness
Product; VectorVision Frameless Biopsy System
510 (k) application:
## Manufacturer:
BrainLAB AG Ammerthalstrasse 8 85551 Heimstetten Germany Phone: +49 89 99 15 68 0 Fax: +49 89 99 15 68 33
#### What is new?
The Vector\/ision Frameless Biopsy System contains features to improve the support and guidance of surgical instruments. A multiarticulated arm facilitates the use of miscellaneous instruments for serial approaches along a determined trajectory to a specific target as well as the guidance of a single instrument to multiple targets along the same trajectory. Combined with the IGS features of VectorVision's software, the determination and repeated locating of trajectories is considerably simplified. By mechanical support, the degrees of freedom of the instrument can be limited either to zero or to one, thus giving the surgeon's hand mechanical support for increased stability, alleviating the surgeon's task of holding or inserting instruments and enhancing the efficiency of the surgery.
### Indications for use:
The BrainLAB VectorVision Frameless Biopsy System is intended to be an intraoperative image guided localization system to enable minimally invasive surgery. It links a freehand probe, tracked by a passive marker sensor system to virtual computer image space on a patient's preoperative image data being processed by a VectorVision workstation. The system is indicated for any medical condition in which the use of stereotactic surgery may be appropriate and where a reference to a rigid anatomical structure, such as the skull, a long bone or vertebra, can be identified relative to a CT, X-ray or MR based model of the anatomy.
Example procedures include but are not limited to:
Cranial Procedures: Cranial biopsies. Tumor resections. Craniotomies/ Craniectomies. Skull base procedures. Thalamotomies/ Pallidotomies.
Spinal Procedures: Spinal implant procedures such as pedicle screw placement.
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ENT Procedures: Transphenoidal procedures. Intranasal procedures. Sinus procedures, such as Maximillary antrostomies, Ethmoidectomies, Sphenoidotomies/Sphenoid explorations, Turbinate resections and Frontal sinusotomies
## Substantial equivalence
The information provided by BrainLAB in this 510 (k) application was found to be substantially equivalent with predicate devices such as the 510(k)-clearance of BrainLAB's VectorVision2 System (K983831, K003589).
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Image /page/2/Picture/1 description: The image is a seal for the Department of Health & Human Services - USA. The seal is circular and contains the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" around the perimeter. In the center of the seal is an abstract symbol that resembles an eagle or a stylized human figure.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
SEP = 6 2001
Mr. Stefan Vilsmeier President and CEO BrainLAB AG Ammerthalstrasse 8 85551 Heimstetten Germany
Re: K012564
Trade/Device Name: Modification to VectorVision Frameless Biopsy System Regulation Number: 882.4560 Regulatory Class: II Product Code: HAW Dated: July 31, 2001 Received: August 9, 2001
Dear Mr. Vilsmeier:
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 legally marketed predicate 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 requirements, 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.
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Page 2 - Mr. Stefan Vilsmeier
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.
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" (21CFR 807.97). Other general information on your responsibilities under the Act may be obtained from the Division of Small Manufacturers International and Consumer Assistance at its toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (301) 443-6597 or at its internet address "http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/dsma/dsmamain.html".
Sincerely yours,
Susan Walker, MD
Fer 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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Page ot
510(k) Number (if known):
K012564
Device Name:
Vector Vision Frameless Biopsy System
Indications For Use:
The BrainLAB VectorVision Frameless Biopsy System is intended to be an intraoperative image I he Diami.AD v coon v sion Frances Drops, is your esurgery. It links a frechand probe, tracked by a guided localization system to virtual computer image space on a patient's preoperative image data passive marker school system to virtual beatle the system is indicated for any medical condition in being processed by a Vector vision workshately and where a reference to a rigid anatomical winch the use of stereoment dargery and, or vertebra, can be identified relative to a CT, X-ray or MR based model of the anatomy.
Example procedures include but are not limited to:
Cranial Procedures: Cranial biopsies. Tumor resections. Craniotomies/ Craniectomies. Skull base procedures. Thalamotomies/ Pallidotomies.
Spinal Procedures: Spinal implant procedures such as pedicle screw placement.
ENT Procedures:
Transphenoidal procedures.
Intranasal procedures.
Sinus procedures, such as Maximillary antrostomies, Ethmoidectomies, Sphenoidotomies/Sphenoid explorations, Turbinate resections and Frontal sinusotomies
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Prescription Use (Per 21 CFR 801.109)
Lisa Wall
Division Sign-Off) Over-The-Counter Use _ Division of General, Restorative and Neurological Devices
(Optional Format I-2-96)
510(k) Number K612564
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.
