K013534 · Biomet Orthopedics, Inc. · HWC · Dec 17, 2001 · Orthopedic
Device Facts
Record ID
K013534
Device Name
SELF-COUNTERSINKING BONE SCREW
Applicant
Biomet Orthopedics, Inc.
Product Code
HWC · Orthopedic
Decision Date
Dec 17, 2001
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 888.3040
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The Self-Countersinking Bone Screw is indicated for the following conditions: - Fixation of fractures in long bones such as the fibula, tibia, humerus, radius and ulna as well as fractures in the patella - Fixation of small bones such as those in the foot, ankle, wrist, and elbow - Ligament reconstruction - Arthrodesis of the foot, ankle, wrist, and elbow - Small bone osteotomies - Osteochondritis dissecans
Device Story
Titanium bone screw; features self-cutting flutes in head for automatic countersinking; cannulated design for insertion over guide wire; self-drilling and self-tapping threads. Available in 2.7mm and 4.3mm diameters with various lengths and thread configurations. Used by orthopedic surgeons in clinical settings for bone fixation and reconstruction procedures. Provides mechanical stabilization of bone fragments or grafts to facilitate healing.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data; substantial equivalence established via bench testing.
Technological Characteristics
Titanium alloy bone screw; cannulated; self-drilling/self-tapping threads; self-countersinking head flutes. Diameters: 2.7mm (1.1mm cannulation) and 4.3mm (1.6mm cannulation).
Indications for Use
Indicated for fixation of long bone fractures (fibula, tibia, humerus, radius, ulna, patella), small bone fixation (foot, ankle, wrist, elbow), ligament reconstruction, arthrodesis, osteotomies, and osteochondritis dissecans.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A smooth or threaded metallic bone fixation fastener is a device intended to be implanted that consists of a stiff wire segment or rod made of alloys, such as cobalt-chromium-molybdenum and stainless steel, and that may be smooth on the outside, fully or partially threaded, straight or U-shaped; and may be either blunt pointed, sharp pointed, or have a formed, slotted head on the end. It may be used for fixation of bone fractures, for bone reconstructions, as a guide pin for insertion of other implants, or it may be implanted through the skin so that a pulling force (traction) may be applied to the skeletal system.
Predicate Devices
Synthes 3.0mm Cannulated Screw and Threaded Washer (K962823)
Synthes 3.5mm and 4.0mm Cannulated Screws (K963192)
Alphatec 4.0mm Cortical Lag Screw (510(k) unknown)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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DEC 1 7 2001
K013534
page 1 of 2
## SUMMMARY OF SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS
ARTERS
| Applicant or Sponsor: | Biomet Orthopedics, Inc.<br>56 East Bell Drive<br>P.O. Box 587<br>Warsaw, Indiana 46581-0587 |
|-----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Contact Person: | Sara B. Shultz |
CORPORAT
Biomet Orthopedics, Inc. P.O. Box 587 Warsaw, Indiana 46581-0587 Phone: (219) 267-6639 FAX: (219) 372-1683
Proprietary Name: Self-Countersinking Bone Screw
Common or Usual Name: bone screw
Screw, Fixation, Bone (888.3040) Classification Name:
Device Product Code: 87HWC
Substantially Equivalent Devices: Synthes 3.0mm Cannulated Screw and Threaded Washer. K962823, Synthes (USA), Synthes 3.5mm and 4.0mm Cannulated Screws, K963192, Synthes (USA), DePuy-Ace 4.0mm Cannulated Cancellous Screw, 510(k) unknown, Alphatec 2.7mm (K923256), 3.5mm (K922332), and 4.0mm (510(k) unknown) Cortical Lag Screw, Alphatec Mfg, Inc.
Indications for Use: The Self-Countersinking Bone Screw is indicated for the following conditions:
- · Fixation of fractures in long bones such as the fibula, tibia, humerus, radius and ulna as well as fractures in the patella
- · Fixation of small bones such as those in the foot, ankle, wrist, and elbow
- · Ligament reconstruction
- · Arthrodesis of the foot, ankle, wrist, and elbow
- · Small bone osteotomies
- · Osteochondritis dissecans
MAHING ADDRESS P.O. Box 587 Warsaw, IN 46581-0587
월
SHIPPING ADDRESS 56 E. Bell Drive Warsaw, IN 46582
I
000114
()FFICE 214).267.6639
I·AX 219.267.8137
E-MAH. biomet@biomet.com
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K013534
page 1 of 2
w is a titanium screw that has Device Description: The Selfcutting flutes in its head that allows it to cut into the bone, thus countersinking itself. The screw is also cannulated to allow insertion over a guide wire. The threads are self-drilling and self-tapping.
The screw will be available with diameters of 2.7mm and 4.3mm. The 2.7mm screws will have lengths from 8mm to 16mm (in 1mm increments) and 18mm to 36mm (in 2mm increments). All lengths of the 2.7mm screw are available fully threaded, with a short partial thread of 1/3 screw length and with a long partial thread of 1/2 screw length. The 2.7mm screw has a cannulation that will accept a 1.1mm guide wire.
The 4.3mm screw will have lengths from 10mm to 36mm (in 2mm increments) available fully threaded, with a short partial thread of 1/3 screw length and with a long partial thread of 1/2 screw length. The 4.3mm screw is also available in lengths of 38mm to 50mm (in 2mm increments) and 55mm to 65mm (in 5mm increments) and will be offered fully threaded, with a short partial 16mm thread and a long partial 32mm thread. The 4.3mm screw has a cannulation that will accept a 1.6mm guide wire.
Summary of Technologies: The Self-Countersinking Bone Screw's technological characteristics (materials, design, sizes, and indications) are similar to or identical to the predicate devices.
Non-Clinical Testing: Mechanical testing was performed to establish substantial equivalence to the predicate devices.
Clinical Testing: Clinical testing was not used to establish substantial equivalence to predicate devices.
000115
MAHING ADDRESS 120. Box 587 Warsaw, IN 46581-0587
.
SHIPPING ADDRESS 56 E. Bell Drive Warsaw, IN 46582
()FFICE 219.267.6639
FAX 219.267.8137
E-MAIL biomet@biome1.com
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Image /page/2/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo consists of a circular seal with the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" around the perimeter. Inside the circle is an abstract symbol resembling an eagle or bird in flight, composed of three curved lines.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
DEC 1 7 2001
Ms. Sara B. Shultz Regulatory Specialist Biomet Orthopedics, Inc. P.O. Box 587 Warsaw, IN 46581-0587
Re: K013534
Trade/Device Name: Self-Countersinking Bone Screw Regulation Number: 21 CFR 888.3040 Regulation Name: Smooth or Threaded Metallic Bone Fixation Fastener Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: HWC Dated: October 22, 2001 Received: October 23, 2001
Dear Ms. Shultz:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) premarket notification of intent to market the device referenced above and 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) that do not require approval of a premarket approval application (PMA). 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 (PMA), 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 898. In addition, FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register.
Please be advised that FDA's issuance of a substantial equivalence determination does not mean that FDA has made a determination that your device complies with other requirements of the Act or any Federal statutes and regulations administered by other Federal agencies. You must comply with all the Act's requirements, including, but not limited to: registration and listing (21 CFR Part 807); labeling (21 CFR Part 801); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820); and if applicable, the electronic product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.
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Page 2 - Ms. Sara B. Shultz
This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your Section 510(k) I his letter will anow you to begin manusing your manusan your device of your device to a legally premarket notincation. The PDF micing sification 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 IT you desire spoolite ad roo for you in vitro diagnostic devices), please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4659. Additionally, for questions on the promotion and advertising of Compliance at (301) 597-1007 Friends Compliance at (301) 594-4639. Also, please note the your deviced, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21CFR Part 807.97). I cellulion circles, "Mioorening on your responsibilities under the Act may be obtained from the Oincl general mionnation on Jour sep-stional 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
20
Sincerely yours,
Odie M. Witter, Ph.D., M.D.
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 of
## K013534 510(k) NUMBER (IF KNOWN):
DEVICE NAME: Self-Countersinking Bone Screw
INDICATIONS FOR USE:
The Self-Countersinking Bone Screw is indicated for the fill of the filting the man
- Fixation of fractures in long bones such as the fibula, tibia, humerus, 에 radius and ulna as well as fractures in the patella
- Fixation of small bones such as those in the foot, ankle, wrist, and 1 elbow
- Ligament reconstruction 트
- Arthrodesis of the foot, ankle, wrist, and elbow 트
- Small bone osteotomies 이
- 이 Osteochondritis dissecans
Signature of Offeror
(Division Sign-Off) Division of General, Restorative and Neurological Devices
K013534 510(k) Number _
(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)
OR
Over-The-Counter-Use (Optional Format 1-2-96)
000003
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.