MEDTRONIC MIDA REX LEGEND SYSTEM, MIDAS REX LEGEND PNEUMATIC HIGH SPEED SYSTEM OR LEGEND SYSTEM
K020069 · Medtronic Midas Rex · HBB · Mar 18, 2002 · Neurology
Device Facts
Record ID
K020069
Device Name
MEDTRONIC MIDA REX LEGEND SYSTEM, MIDAS REX LEGEND PNEUMATIC HIGH SPEED SYSTEM OR LEGEND SYSTEM
Applicant
Medtronic Midas Rex
Product Code
HBB · Neurology
Decision Date
Mar 18, 2002
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 882.4370
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The Medtronic Midas Rex Legend System is a pneumatically operated surgical instrument system. The pneumatic motor provides power to operate removable rotating surgical cutting tools and their accessories intended for use in neurosurgery, including craniotomy and spinal surgery; as well as Ear Nose and Throat (ENT), orthopedic, and general surgical applications including maxillofacial, craniofacial and sternotomy surgeries.
Device Story
Modular, pneumatically powered surgical instrument system; consists of motor (handpiece) and accessories (adapters, spindles, burrs, drills, cutters). High-pressure gas (air or nitrogen) drives motor to rotate cutting tools. Used in OR by surgeons for bone dissection/cutting in neurosurgical, ENT, orthopedic, and general surgical procedures. Provides mechanical power for tissue/bone removal; assists surgeon in performing precise surgical cuts. Benefits include modularity and high-speed performance for various surgical applications.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. No clinical data presented.
Technological Characteristics
Modular pneumatic high-speed instrument system. Powered by high-pressure gas (air or nitrogen). Includes handpiece, adapters, spindles, burrs, drills, and cutters. Mechanical energy source. No software or electronic components.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients undergoing neurosurgery (craniotomy, spinal surgery), ENT, orthopedic, and general surgical procedures (maxillofacial, craniofacial, sternotomy) requiring bone dissection or cutting.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A pneumatic cranial drill motor is a pneumatically operated power source used with removable rotating surgical cutting tools or drill bits on a patient's skull.
Predicate Devices
Midas Rex Classic
Midas Rex III Instrumentation Systems
Mednext 1000 Bone Dissecting System
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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Premarket Notification [510(K)] Summary
MAR 1 8 2002
1/2
KO20069
(per 21 CFR 807.92)
### Submitted by: 1.
Medtronic Midas Rex
4620 North Beach Street
Fort Worth, TX 76137
| Contact Person: | Greg Cannedy<br>Director of Regulatory Affairs |
|-----------------|------------------------------------------------|
| Telephone: | 817-788-6400 |
| Facsimile: | 817-788-6222 |
January 7, 2002 Date Prepared:
### Device Name 2.
Trade/Proprietary Name: Common/Usual Name: Classification Name:
Midas Rex Legend System Surqical drill motors with accessories Pneumatic cranial drill motors for neurosurgery (HBB) Surgical drill for Ear, Nose & Throat (ERL) Surgical Ear. Nose & Throat bur (EQJ) Pneumatic motor for orthopedic surgery (HSZ) Pneumatic motor for general surgery (GET) Pneumatically powered saw (KFK) Powered simple cranial drills, burrs, and accessories (HBE) Blades, saw, surqical cardiovascular (DWH)
### 3. Predicate Device:
The Medtronic Midas Rex Legend System is substantially equivalent to the Midas Rex Classic and Midas Rex III Instrumentation Systems, and the Mednext 1000 Bone Dissecting System.
### 4. Intended use of the device
The Medtronic Midas Rex Legend System is a pneumatically operated surgical instrument system. The pneumatic motor provides power to operate removable rotating surgical cutting tools and their accessories intended for use in neurosurgery, including craniotomy and spinal surgery; as well as Ear Nose and Throat (ENT), orthopedic, and general surgical applications including maxillofacial, craniofacial and sternotomy surgeries.
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K02 0069 2/2
### Description of the Device 5.
The Medtronic Midas Rex Legend System is a modular, pneumatic, highspeed instrument system consisting of a motor (handpiece) and accessories/attachments, including but not limited to adapters, spindles, burrs, drills, cutters, and other dissecting tools.
### Summary of the technological characteristics of the device 6. compared to the predicate device.
The intended use of the Medtronic Midas Rex Legend System have not changed to the intended uses of the Midas Rex Classic, Midas Rex III, and Mednext 1000 systems. The modified device and the predicate devices have the same technological characteristics, the same operating principles, use the same patient contacting materials, and have similar performance characteristics. These systems utilize a high-pressure gas source (either air or nitrogen) to power the motors and drive the cutting tools for use during surgical applications.
### 7. Testing
Performance testing on the Medtronic Midas Rex Legend System confirms that the device operates as intended, and is substantially equivalent to the Midas Rex Classic, Midas Rex III, and Mednext 1000 Instrumentation Systems.
### 8. Conclusions
Based upon the testing and comparison to the predicate devices, the Medtronic Midas Rex Legend System performs as intended and raises no new safety or effectiveness issues.
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Image /page/2/Picture/1 description: The image is a black and white logo for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The logo features a stylized eagle with three stripes forming its body and wings. The eagle is facing right. The text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES • USA" is arranged in a circular pattern around the eagle.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
# MAR 1 8 2002
Medtronic Midas Rex Mr. Greg Cannedy Director of Regulatory Affairs 4620 North Beach Street Fort Worth, Texas 76137
Re: K020069
Trade Name: Midas Rex Legend System Regulation Number: 882.4370 Regulation Name: Pneumatic Cranial Drill Motor Regulatory Class: II Product Code: HBB Dated: January 8, 2002 Received: January 9, 2002
Dear Mr. Cannedy:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) premarket 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) 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, controls provisions or actice, 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 – Mr. Greg Cannedy
This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your Section 510(k) This icter will anow your to ocgin mading of substantial equivalence of your device to a legally premaired 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 desire specific art 809.10 for in vitro diagnostic devices), please contact the Office of additionally 21 OF F Far 659. Additionally, for questions on the promotion and advertising of Compliance at (301) 594-1097 Compliance at (301) 594-4639. Also, please note the your devices, preads offically by reference to premarket notification™ (21CFR Part 807.97). Other general information on your responsibilities under the Act may be obtained from the Other 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,
iriam C. Provost
for 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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## Statement of Indications for Use
Page 1 of 1
KO20069 510(k) Number (if known):
Medtronic Midas Rex® Legend™ Instrumentation System Device Name:
Indications For Use:
The Medtronic Midas Rex Legend System is a pneumatically operated surgical instrument system. The pneumatic motor provides power to operate removable rotating surgical cutting tools and their accessories intended for use in neurosurgery, including craniotomy and spinal surgery; ins well as Ear Nose and Throat (ENT), orthopedic, and general surgical applications including maxillofacial, craniofacial and sternotomy surgeries.
(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)
Miriam C. Provost
Division of General, Restorative and Neurological Devices
510(k) Number K020069
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.