TRIATHLON POSTERIORLY STABILIZED (PS) TOTAL KNEE SYSTEM
Applicant
Howmedica Osteonics Corp.
Product Code
JWH · Orthopedic
Decision Date
Sep 2, 2003
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 888.3560
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The Triathlon™ PS Total Knee system is comprised of femoral components, tibial trays, and tibial inserts that are intended to be used with the patellar components of the Duracon® system in primary and revision total knee arthroplasty. The Triathlon™ PS Total Knee System is intended to be used in situations where the posterior cruciate ligament is absent, or cannot be preserved. Specific indications and contraindications for the Triathlon PS Total Knee System are listed below: Painful, disabling joint disease of the knee resulting from: noninflammatory degenerative ioint disease (including osteoarthritis, traumatic arthritis or avascular necrosis) or, rheumatoid arthritis; Post-traumatic loss of knee joint configuration and function; Moderate varus, valgus, or flexion deformity in which the ligamentous structures can be returned to adequate function and stability; Revision of previous unsuccessful knee replacement or other procedure; Fracture of the distal femur and/or proximal tibia that cannot be stabilized by standard fracture management techniques. Additional Indications for Posterior Stabilized Components: Ligamentous instability requiring implant bearing surface geometries with increased constraint; Absent or non-functioning posterior cruciate ligament.
Device Story
Triathlon™ Posteriorly Stabilized (PS) Total Knee System is a semi-constrained, cemented prosthesis for total knee arthroplasty. System components include a cast cobalt-chromium-molybdenum femoral component, a cast cobalt-chromium-molybdenum tibial baseplate, and an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene/cobalt-chromium tibial insert. Femoral component features an intercondylar box engaging the tibial insert eminence at 45° to 60° of flexion to provide posterior stability in the absence of the posterior cruciate ligament. Components are implanted by surgeons in a clinical/OR setting using PMMA bone cement. The device replaces articulating surfaces of the distal femur and proximal tibia to restore joint function, reduce pain, and provide stability in patients with ligamentous deficiency. Optional distal femoral fixation pegs are available for rotational stability.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only.
Technological Characteristics
Materials: Cast cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy (femoral/tibial components), UHMWPE (tibial insert). Design: Semi-constrained, cemented, posterior-stabilized. Features: Grit-blasted surfaces for PMMA cement interdigitation; intercondylar box/tibial eminence cam mechanism for stability; wire-tab locking mechanism for insert-to-tray fixation. Available in eight proportional sizes. Optional modular distal femoral fixation pegs (wrought cobalt-chromium).
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients with painful, disabling knee joint disease (osteoarthritis, traumatic arthritis, avascular necrosis, rheumatoid arthritis), post-traumatic loss of function, moderate varus/valgus/flexion deformity, revision of failed knee replacement, or distal femur/proximal tibia fractures. Specifically for patients with absent/non-functioning posterior cruciate ligament or ligamentous instability requiring increased constraint. Contraindicated in patients with active/latent infection, mental/neuromuscular disorders, compromised bone stock, skeletal immaturity, severe collateral ligament instability, or obesity.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A knee joint patellofemorotibial polymer/metal/polymer semi-constrained cemented prosthesis is a device intended to be implanted to replace a knee joint. The device limits translation and rotation in one or more planes via the geometry of its articulating surfaces. It has no linkage across-the-joint. This generic type of device includes prostheses that have a femoral component made of alloys, such as cobalt-chromium-molybdenum, and a tibial component or components and a retropatellar resurfacing component made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. This generic type of device is limited to those prostheses intended for use with bone cement (§ 888.3027).
Predicate Devices
Duracon® Monolithic Stabilizer Femoral Component
Duracon® Cruciform Tibial Baseplate
Duracon® PS Lipped Tibial Insert
Scorpio® Posteriorly Stabilized (PS) Total Knee System
Series 7000 Standard Tibial Tray
Reference Devices
Duracon® patellar components
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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K031729 Page 1 of 5
Triathlon™ Posteriorly Stabilized (PS) Total Knee System
| 510(k) Premarket Notification | Confidential |
|------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| SEP - 2 2003 | 510(k) Summary |
| Submission Information | |
| Name and Address of Sponsor: | Howmedica Osteonics Corp.<br>59 Route 17<br>Allendale, NJ 07401 |
| For Information contact: | Margaret F. Crowe<br>Regulatory Affairs Consultant<br>Howmedica Osteonics Corp.<br>59 Route 17<br>Allendale, NJ 07401 |
| Device Identification | |
| Proprietary Name: | Triathlon™ Posteriorly Stabilized (PS) Total Knee System |
| Common Name: | Posteriorly Stabilized Total Knee Replacement |
| Classification Name and Reference: | Knee Joint Patellofemorotibial<br>Polymer/Metal/Polymer Semi-Constrained<br>Cemented Prosthesis<br>21 CFR §888.3560 |
| Proposed Regulatory Class: | Class II |
| Device Product Code: | OR(87) JWH<br>Prosthesis, Knee Patellofemorotibial, Semi-Constrained, Cemented, Polymer/Metal/ Polymer |
The Triathlon™ PS Total Knee system is comprised of a femoral component, tibial tray, and tibial insert that are intended to be used in total knee arthroplasty (if replacement of the articular surface of the patella is required, the Duracon® patellar components are compatible with the Triathlon™components). The Triathlon™ PS Total Knee System is intended to be used in situations where the posterior cruciate ligament is absent, or cannot be preserved. Specific indications and contraindications for the Triathlon™ PS Total Knee System are listed below:
2
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## Indications:
- Painful, disabling joint disease of the knee resulting from: noninflammatory degenerative ioint disease (including osteoarthritis, traumatic arthritis or avascular necrosis) or, rheumatoid arthritis
- · Post-traumatic loss of knee joint configuration and function.
- · Moderate varus, valgus, or flexion deformity in which the ligamentous structures can be returned to adequate function and stability.
- · Revision of previous unsuccessful knee replacement or other procedure.
- Fracture of the distal femur and/or proximal tibia that cannot be stabilized by standard fracture management techniques.
## Additional Indications for Posterior Stabilized Components:
- · Ligamentous instability requiring implant bearing surface geometries with increased constraint.
- · Absent or non-functioning posterior cruciate ligament.
### Contraindications
- · Any active or suspected latent infection in or about the knee joint.
- · Distant foci of infection which may cause hematogenous spread to the implant site
- · Any mental or neuromuscular disorder which would create an unacceptable risk of prosthesis instability, prosthesis fixation failure, or complications in postoperative care.
- · Bone stock compromised by disease, infection or prior implantation that cannot provide adequate support and/or fixation to the prosthesis.
- Skeletal immaturity.
- Severe instability of the knee joint secondary to the absence of collateral ligament integrity and function.
- · Obesity. An overweight or obese patient can produce loads on the prosthesis that can lead to failure of the fixation of the device or to failure of the device itself.
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## Device Description
The Triathlon™ Posteriorly Stabilized Total Knee System consists of three primary components: Triathlon™ Posteriorly Stabilized (PS) Femoral Component, Triathlon™ Primary Cemented Tibial Baseplate, and Triathlon™ Posteriorly Stabilized (PS) Tibial Insert. Optional Triathlon™ Femoral Distal Fixation Pegs are also available. If replacement of the articular surface of the patella is required, the Duracon® patellar components are intended for use with the Triathlon™ Posteriorly Stabilized Femoral Components.
The Triathlon™ Total Knee Posteriorly Stabilized Femoral Component is fabricated from cast cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy, and is intended for cemented application to replace the articulating surface of the distal femur. This posteriorly stabilized femoral component is utilized when total knee replacement is indicated, and the posterior cruciate ligament is non-functioning or absent, resulting in joint instability.
The Triathlon™ Total Knee Posteriorly Stabilized Femoral Component is available in right and left configurations, and eight proportional sizes to accommodate differences in patient anatomy. The interior surface of the component (except the interior surface of the PS box) is grit-blasted to increase surface roughness - this is intended to promote interdigitation of the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement with the surface texture and the apposing bone. This femoral component features an intercondylar box that engages the mating tibial insert eminence at 45° to 60° (depending upon size of implant). The superior portion of the box is open box design is intended to reduce contact on the tibial insert eminence, and in the case of intra-operative or postoperative femoral fracture, allow the surgeon to use a retrograde femoral nail to treat the fracture. There are threaded attachment features on the distal and posterior aspects of the femoral component. The threaded attachment feature on the distal aspect of the component is to allow the use of modular pegs.
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K031729 PAGE 4 of 5
The Triathlon™ Primary Cemented Tibial Tray is fabricated from cast cobalt chromium molybdenum alloy. The Triathlon" Primary Cemented Tibial Tray is neutral in configuration, and is available in eight proportional sizes. The undersurface of the tibial trav and the keel is grit blasted for interdigitation with PMMA bone cement. The keel of the tibial tray is designed with normalizations for rotational stability and cement interdigitation. The superior aspect of the tibial tray has a rim that contains tabs that mate with the outer periphery of the tibial insert, along with the locking wire used on the tibial insert. This locking feature is designed to provide secure attachment of the tibial insert to the tray, and is designed to reduce micromotion of the tibial insert on the tray.
The Triathlon™ Posteriorly Stabilized (PS) Tibial Insert is neutral in configuration, and is available in eight proportional sizes and varying thicknesses (9mm, 11mm, 13mm, 16mm, 19mm, 22mm, and 25mm). The insert is fabricated from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene and cobalt-chromium alloy. The minimum thickness of the tibial insert on the bearing surface is 6mm. The tibial insert features a tibial eminence (or post) that provides anterior/posterior constraint in clinical situations where the posterior cruciate ligament is absent or non-functional. As previously noted, the tibial eminence contacts the cam of the femoral component at 45-60 degrees of flexion. There is a relief on the anterior aspect of the tibial insert to accommodate the patellar tendon and patellar fat pad.
The Triathlon "PS Tibial Insert incorporates a locking wire feature on the anterior aspect of the insert. This locking wire is fabricated from cobalt-chromium alloy, and engages under tabs on the anterior rim of the Triathlon™ Primary Tibial Baseplate. This wire-tab locking mechanism secures the insert into the baseplate.
Triathlon™ Distal Femoral Fixation Pegs are made available separate from the Triathlon™ Posteriorly Stabilized Femoral Component. These distal femoral fixation pegs are an accessory to the Triathlon™ PS Femoral Component, and are optional for use. These pegs are designed to provide rotational stability, and to aid the surgeon in the placement
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#### Triathlon™ Posteriorly Stabilized (PS) Total Knee System Confidential 510(k) Premarket Notification
of the femoral component on the prepared distal femur. The Triathlon™ Distal Femoral Fixation Pegs are fabricated from wrought cobalt chromium alloy. The distal portion of the fixation peg is threaded to allow the peg to be assembled to the distal threaded hole in the Triathlon™ PS Femoral component. The proximal portion of the peg is recessed to allow the use of a wrench to assemble the peg into the femoral component.
Equivalent products include:
- 1. Duracon® Monolithic Stabilizer Femoral Component
- 2. Duracon® Cruciform Tibial Baseplate
- 3. Duracon® PS Lipped Tibial Insert
- 4. Scorpio® Posteriorly Stabilized (PS) Total Knee System
- 5. Series 7000 Standard Tibial Tray
Testing was presented to support a claim of substantial equivalence to the predicate devices.
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Image /page/5/Picture/1 description: The image is a black and white logo. The logo features a stylized bird with three parallel lines forming its body and wings. The bird is facing left. Encircling the bird is text that reads "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" in a circular arrangement.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
SEP - 2 2003
Mr. William J. Cymbaluk Vice President Ouality Assurance/Regulatory Affairs/Clinical Research Howmedica Osteonics Corp. 59 Route 17 Allendale, New Jersey 07401-1677
Re: K031729
Trade/Device Name: Triathlon™ Posteriorly Stabilized (PS) Total Knee System Regulation Numbers: 21 CFR 888.3560 Regulation Names: Knee joint patellofemorotibial polymer/metal/polymer semiconstrained cemented prosthesis Regulatory Class: II Product Codes: JWH Dated: June 3, 2003 Received: June 4, 2003
Dear Mr. Cymbaluk:
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 - Mr. William J. Cymbaluk
This letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as described in your Section 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), please contact the Office of Compliance at (301) 594-4659. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21CFR Part 807.97). You may obtain other general information on your responsibilities under the Act 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.
Sincerely yours,
Mark A. Wilkerson
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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## Triathlon™ Posteriorly Stabilized (PS) Total Knee System 510(k) Premarket Notification
# 510(k) Number (if known): K 03 1729
Triathlon™ Posteriorly Stabilized (PS) Total Knee System Device:
The Triathlon PS Total Knee system is comprised of femoral components, tibial trays, and tibial inserts that are intended to be used with the patellar components of the Duracon® system in primary and revision total knee arthroplasty. The Triathlon™ PS Total Knee System is intended to be used in situations where the posterior cruciate ligament is absent, or cannot be preserved. Specific indications and contraindications for the Triathlon PS Total Knee System are listed below:
## Indications:
- · Painful, disabling joint disease of the knee resulting from: noninflammatory degenerative ioint disease (including osteoarthritis, traumatic arthritis or avascular necrosis) or, rheumatoid arthritis
- · Post-traumatic loss of knee joint configuration and function.
- · Moderate varus, valgus, or flexion deformity in which the ligamentous structures can be returned to adequate function and stability.
- · Revision of previous unsuccessful knee replacement or other procedure.
- Fracture of the distal femur and/or proximal tibia that cannot be stabilized by standard fracture management techniques.
## Additional Indications for Posterior Stabilized Components:
- · Ligamentous instability requiring implant bearing surface geometries with increased constraint.
- · Absent or non-functioning posterior cruciate ligament.
## Contraindications
- · Any active or suspected latent infection in or about the knee joint.
- · Distant foci of infection which may cause hematogenous spread to the implant
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K031729 PAGE 2 of 2
- · Any mental or neuromuscular disorder which would create an unacceptable risk of prosthesis instability, prosthesis fixation failure, or complications in postoperative care.
- · Bone stock compromised by disease, infection or prior implantation that cannot provide adequate support and/or fixation to the prosthesis.
- · Skeletal immaturity.
- · Severe instability of the knee joint secondary to the absence of collateral ligament integrity and function.
- ♦ Obesity. An overweight or obese patient can produce loads on the prosthesis that can lead to failure of the fixation of the device or to failure of the device itself.
The Triathlon™ PS Femoral Component and the Triathlon™ Primary Cemented Tibial Baseplate are intended to be implanted using bone cement.
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
OR Prescription Use 801.109)
Over-the Counter-Use
for Mark N Millaser
(Division Sign-Off)
eral. Restorative Neurological Devices
510(k) Number K031729
20f2
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.