K013463 · Arthrocare Corp. · GEI · Nov 15, 2001 · General, Plastic Surgery
Device Facts
Record ID
K013463
Device Name
ARTHROCARE ARTHRO WANDS, ENETEC EVAC PLASMA WAND
Applicant
Arthrocare Corp.
Product Code
GEI · General, Plastic Surgery
Decision Date
Nov 15, 2001
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Special
Regulation
21 CFR 878.4400
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The ArthroCare ArthroWands are indicated for resection, ablation, and coagulation of soft tissue and hemostasis of blood vessels in arthroscopic and orthopedic procedures. The ENTec EVac Plasma Wand is indicated for ablation, coagulation, and hemostasis of soft tissue in tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy procedures.
Device Story
Bipolar, single-use, high-frequency electrosurgical devices. Used in arthroscopic, orthopedic, tonsillectomy, and adenoidectomy procedures. Operated by surgeons in clinical/OR settings. Devices utilize plasma-based electrosurgical technology to perform tissue ablation, resection, and coagulation. Output is controlled by the surgeon to achieve precise tissue effects, facilitating surgical access and hemostasis. Benefits include controlled tissue removal and reduced bleeding during minimally invasive procedures.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data provided; substantial equivalence based on bench testing of modified performance specifications and materials.
Technological Characteristics
Bipolar, high-frequency electrosurgical device. Single-use. Plasma-based ablation/coagulation principle. Materials and performance specifications modified from predicate; specific standards not listed. Sterilization parameters remain consistent with predicate.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients undergoing arthroscopic/orthopedic procedures (resection, ablation, coagulation, hemostasis) or tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy (ablation, coagulation, hemostasis). Applicable to various joints including ankle, elbow, hip, knee, shoulder, and wrist.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An electrosurgical cutting and coagulation device and accessories is a device intended to remove tissue and control bleeding by use of high-frequency electrical current.
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K 013463
NOV 1 5 2001
### Special 510(k) Summary of Safety and Effectiveness ArthroCare Corporation ArthroCare ArthroWands® ENTec® EVac™ Plasma Wand™
Manufacturer:
ArthroCare, Corporation 595 North Pastoria Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94085-2936
Establishment Registration Number:
Contact Person:
2951580
October 17, 2001
Bruce Prothro Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Quality Assurance, and Clinical Research
Date Prepared:
Device Description
Classification Name:
Trade Name:
878.4400) ArthroCare ArthroWands®
Electrosurgical Device and Accessories
Device and Accessories (21 CFR
Electrosurgical Cutting and Coagulation
ENTec® EVac™ Plasma Wand™
Generic/Common Name:
Predicate Devices
ArthroCare ArthroWands ENTec EVac Plasma Wand K011083 K011279
#### Intended Use
ArthroCare ArthroWands
- The ArthroCare ArthroWands are indicated for resection, ablation, and coagulation of . soft tissue and hemostasis of blood vessels in arthroscopic and orthopedic procedures:
{1}------------------------------------------------
| Arthroscopic and Orthopedic Procedures | Joint Specific or All Joints (ankle, elbow, hip, knee, shoulder, and wrist) |
|----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| <b>Ablation and Debridement</b> | |
| • ACL/PCL | Knee |
| • Acromioplasty | Shoulder |
| • Articular Cartilage | All Joints |
| • Bursectomy | All Joints |
| • Chondroplasty | All Joints |
| • Facia | All Joints |
| • Ligament | All Joints |
| • Notchplasty | Knee |
| • Scar Tissue | All Joints |
| • Soft Tissue | All Joints |
| • Subacromial Decompression | Shoulder |
| • Synovectomy | All Joints |
| • Tendon | All Joints |
| <b>Excision and Resection</b> | |
| • Acetabular Labrum | Hip |
| • Articular Labrum | All Joints |
| • Capsule | All Joints |
| • Capsular Release | Knee |
| • Cartilage Flaps | Knee |
| • Cysts | All Joints |
| • Discoid Meniscus | Knee |
| • Frozen Shoulder Release | Shoulder |
| • Glenoidale Labrum | Shoulder |
| • Lateral Release | Knee |
| • Ligament | All Joints |
| • Loose Bodies | All Joints |
| • Meniscal Cystectomy | Knee |
| • Meniscectomy | Knee |
| • Plica Removal | All Joints |
| • Scar Tissue | All Joints |
| • Soft Tissue | All Joints |
| • Synovial Membrane | All Joints |
| • Tendon | All Joints |
| • Triangular Fibrocartilage (TFCC) | Wrist |
| • Villusectomy | Knee |
| <b>Coagulation</b> | |
| • ACL/PCL | Knee |
| • Articular Cartilage | All Joints |
| • Carpal Ligaments | Wrist |
| • Glenohumeral Capsule | Shoulder |
| Medial Retinaculum | Knee |
| Rotator Cuff | Shoulder |
| Tendon | All Joints |
| Wrist Tendons | Wrist |
.
、
:
04
100 - 100 -
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#### ENTec EVac Plasma Wand
- The ENTec EVac Plasma Wand is indicated for ablation, coagulation, and hemostasis . of soft tissue in tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy procedures.
#### Product Description
The Wands are bipolar, single use, high frequency electrosurgical devices designed for specific indications.
#### Substantial Equivalence
This Special 510(k) proposes a modification in performance specifications and materials for the Wands, which were previously cleared under K011083 and K011279 on June 28, 2001 and July 19, 2001, respectively. The indications for use, technology, principle of operation, dimensional specifications, packaging, labeling, and sterilization parameters of the Wands remain the same as in the predicate cleared 510(k)s.
#### Summary of Safety and Effectiveness
The modified Wands, as described in this submission, are substantially equivalent to the predicate devices. The proposed modification in performance specifications and materials are not substantial changes or modifications, and do not significantly affect the safety or efficacy of the devices.
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Image /page/3/Picture/1 description: The image is a black and white logo for the Department of Health & Human Services - USA. The logo features a stylized eagle with three curved lines representing its wings and body. The text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" is arranged in a circular fashion around the eagle.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
Mr. Bruce Prothro Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Quality Assurance, and Clinical Research ArthroCare Corporation 595 North Pastoria Avenue Sunnyvale, California 94085-2936
Re: K013463
K013403
Trade/Device Name: ArthroCare ArthroWands®, ENTec® Evac™ Plasma Wand™ Regulation Number: 878.4400 Regulation Name: Electrosurgical cutting and coagulation device and accessories Regulatory Class: II Product Code: GEI Dated: October 17, 2001 Received: October 18, 2001
NOV 1 5 2001
Dear Mr. Prothro:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) premarket notification of intent to market the device we nave reviewed your bector of the device is substantially equivalent (for the indications felerenced above and nave determined by marketed predicate devices marketed in interstate for use stated in the encrosuly to regars) at tegally and the Medical Device Amendments, or to commerce prior to May 20, 1976, the encordance with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, devices mat have been recuired in assee approval of a premarket approval application (PMA). and Cosmetic Act (11ct) that do not requent of the general controls provisions of the Act. The 1 ou may, therefore, mailes of the Act include requirements for annual registration, listing of general controls provisions of the ling, and prohibitions against misbranding and adulteration.
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (PMA), it If your device is classinod (600 wor of als. Existing major regulations affecting your device can Inay oc subject to sach additions, Title 21, Parts 800 to 898. In addition, FDA may be found in the Over cements concerning your device in the Federal Register.
Please be advised that FDA's issuance of a substantial equivalence determination does not mean Flease be advised that I Dri 3155aantes over device complies with other requirements of the Act that I Dri has made a and regulations administered by other Federal agencies. You must of any I coclar statutes and regulations and admited to: registration and listing (21 comply with an the 71ct 31equirements, neller, each, ence, except station requirements as set CTN in the quality systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820); and if applicable, the electronic forth in the quality systems (QD) regalates (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.
product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1
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Page 2 - Mr. Bruce Prothro
This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your Section 510(k) This lotter will and in you'ls comming of substantial equivalence of your device to a legally premailed predicated 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 11 you deeline operate the vitro diagnostic devices), please contact the Office of additionally 21 (301) 594-4659. Additionally, for questions on the promotion and advertising of Compination at (301) 59 - t the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4639. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21CFR Part 807.97). Other general information on your responsibilities under the Act may be obtained from the Oiner general informational 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
Image /page/4/Picture/5 description: The image contains what appears to be a signature or stylized initials. The writing is cursive and somewhat abstract, with looping strokes and sharp angles. It is difficult to discern specific letters or words without additional context.
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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# NOV 1 5 2001
## Indications Statement
Device Name:
ArthroCare ArthroWands® ENTec® EVac™ Plasma Wand™
K 013463 510(k) Number:
Indications for use:
## ArthroCare ArthroWands
- The ArthroCare ArthroWands are indicated for resection, ablation, and coagulation of . The ArthroCare Arthro Wanas are menous are menomen and orthopedic procedures:
| Arthroscopic and Orthopedic Procedures | Joint Specific or All<br>Joints (ankle, elbow,<br>hip, knee, shoulder, and<br>wrist) |
|----------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Ablation and Debridement | |
| • ACL/PCL | Knee |
| • Acromioplasty | Shoulder |
| • Articular Cartilage | All Joints |
| • Bursectomy | All Joints |
| • Chondroplasty | All Joints |
| • Facia | All Joints |
| • Ligament | All Joints |
| • Notchplasty | Knee |
| • Scar Tissue | All Joints |
| • Soft Tissue | All Joints |
| • Subacromial Decompression | Shoulder |
| • Synovectomy | All Joints |
| • Tendon | All Joints |
| Excision and Resection | |
| • Acetabular Labrum | Hip |
| • Articular Labrum | All Joints |
| • Capsule | All Joints |
| • Capsular Release | Knee |
| • Cartilage Flaps | Knee |
| • Cysts | All Joints |
| • Discoid Meniscus | Knee |
| • Frozen Shoulder Release | Shoulder |
| • Glenoidale Labrum | Shoulder |
| • Lateral Release | Knee |
| • Ligament | All Joints |
{6}------------------------------------------------
| • Loose Bodies | All Joints |
|------------------------------------|------------|
| • Meniscal Cystectomy | Knee |
| • Meniscectomy | Knee |
| • Plica Removal | All Joints |
| • Scar Tissue | All Joints |
| • Soft Tissue | All Joints |
| • Synovial Membrane | All Joints |
| • Tendon | All Joints |
| • Triangular Fibrocartilage (TFCC) | Wrist |
| • Villusectomy | Knee |
| Coagulation | |
| • ACL/PCL | Knee |
| • Articular Cartilage | All Joints |
| • Carpal Ligaments | Wrist |
| • Glenohumeral Capsule | Shoulder |
| • Ligament | All Joints |
| • Medial Retinaculum | Knee |
| • Rotator Cuff | Shoulder |
| • Tendon | All Joints |
| • Wrist Tendons | Wrist |
ENTec EVac Plasma Wand
- . The ENTec EVac Plasma Wand is indicated for ablation, coagulation, and hemostasis of soft tissue in tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy procedures.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED) Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
| Prescription Use<br>(Per 21 CFR 801.109) | X |
|------------------------------------------|---|
| OR | |
| Over-the-Counter Use | |
Susan Wall
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of General, Restorative
and Neurological Devices
KOI'S 4
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.