The Medtronic® Z3 Guide Catheter is designed to provide a pathway through which therapeutic devices are introduced. The guiding catheter is intended for used in the coronary or peripheral vascular system.
Device Story
Medtronic Z3 Guide Catheter; percutaneous catheter for coronary or peripheral vascular access. Device provides pathway for introduction of therapeutic devices. Construction includes inner liner, stainless steel braid, segmented outer shaft jacket, sleeve, marker band, and soft distal tip; inner lumen features thin lubricious coating. Used by clinicians in vascular procedures. Functional performance verified via tensile, torque, lumen lubricity, radiopacity, pressure burst, and tip compression testing. Biocompatibility confirmed per ISO 10993 for external-communicating, circulating blood, limited exposure (≤24 hours) devices.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. No clinical data. Testing included biocompatibility (acute intracutaneous reactivity, acute systemic toxicity, cytotoxicity, hemolysis, sensitization) and functional performance (tensile strength, torque response, lumen lubricity, radiopacity, pressure burst, hub leak, tip compression).
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K021256
Special 510(k) Notification Medtronic, Inc. 6F Z3 Guiding Catheter
# Section 9
### 510(k) SUMMARY OF SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS (Pursuant to Section 12, Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990)
#### 1. Identifying Information
| (a) Submitters Name: | Medtronic AVE, Inc.<br>37A Cherry Hill Drive<br>Danvers, MA 01923 |
|--------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (b) Contact Person: | Fred L. Boucher R.A.C.<br>(978) 777-0042 |
| (c) Classification Name: | Percutaneous Catheter<br>(21 CFR Part 870.1250) |
| (d) Proprietary Name: | Medtronic 6F Z3 Guide Catheter |
| (e) Name of Predicate Devices | Medtronic® 6F Zuma™ and 6F Genius™<br>Guide Catheters |
- 2. Description
The Medtronic® Z3 Guide Catheter is constructed with an inner liner, stainless steel braid, segmented outer shaft jacket, sleeve, marker band and a soft distal tip. The inner lumen of - the Z3 Guide Catheter has a thin lubricious coating. The Z3 Guiding Catheter (6F) has an inner lumen diameter comparable to the predicate devices.
- 3. Intended Use
The Medtronic® Z3 Guide Catheter is designed to provide a pathway through which therapeutic devices are introduced. The guiding catheter is intended for used in the coronary or peripheral vascular system.
- Technological Characteristics 4.
The 6F Z3 Guide Catheters are manufactured similar to the legally marketed predicate 6F ZumaTM and 6F Genius™ Guide Catheters.
The manufacturing processes and design are substantially equivalent to the 6F Genius (K010579) with the exception of some component materials that are the same as materials used in the 6F Zuma Guide Catheter (K981198). The packaging materials are identical to the predicate devices.
- Biocompatibility tests performed per ISO10993 were chosen based on Guide Catheters న. categorized as external-communicating devices, circulating blood, limited exposure (≤24 hours). The following test results reports have been received and the results demonstrate
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that the tests were successfully performed. All materials used for the Medtronic® Z3 Guiding Catheter passed the following tests:
Acute Intracutaneous Reactivity Acute Systemic Toxicity Cytotoxicity Hemolysis Sensitization (Test in process at the time of this submission.)
Functional testing consisted of hub to shaft, shaft, segment to shaft, and distal tip to shaft 6. tensile, torque response, lumen lubricity, radiopacity, pressure shaft burst and hub leak, tip compression (softness). Results verified that the Medtronic® Z3 Guiding Catheter meets all of the applicable specifications and considered an appropriate device for the intended use. Based on a comparison of the intended use, design, in-vitro test results and the fact that the fundamental scientific technology has not changed, the Z3 guide catheter is considered to be substantially equivalent to the following device:
- Medtronic® 6F Zuma™ Guiding Catheter (K98198) .
- Medtronic® 6F Genius™ Guiding Catheter (K010579) .
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## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
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 words "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" arranged around the perimeter. Inside the circle is a stylized image of an eagle with its wings spread, symbolizing the department's mission to protect and promote the health and well-being of the nation.
Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
MAY 1 7 2002
Mr. Fred L. Boucher Medtronic, Inc. 37A Cherry Hill Drive Danvers, MA 01923
Re: K021256
> Medtronic® Z3 Guide Catheter Regulation Number: 870.1250 Regulation Name: Percutaneous Catheter Regulatory Class: II (two) Product Code: DQY Dated: April 18, 2002 Received: April 19, 2002
#### Dear Mr. Boucher:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) premarket notification of intent to market the device w for now 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 for ass based of 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 I ou rate) y ato s royisions 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.
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Page 2 - Mr. Fred L. Boucher
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 corply 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.
This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your Section 510(k) I mo letter will and hy your e 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 21 CFR Part 809.10 for in vitro diagnostic devices), please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4586. 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 Part 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,
Nola Tull
Donna-Bea Tillman, Ph.D. Acting Director Division of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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## INDICATIONS FOR USE
510(k) Number:
K021256
Device Name:
Medtronic® Z3 Guiding Catheter
Indications for Use:
The Medtronic® Z3 Guiding Catheter is designed to provide a pathway through which therapeutic devices are introduced. The Z3 catheter is intended to be used in the coronary or peripheral vascular system.
PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED.
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
ﺎ
Prescription Use
OR Over-The-Counter Use__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (Per 21 CFR 801.109)
Division of Cardiovascular & Respiratory Devices
510(k) Number K021756
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.