The Edwards LifeStent Turbo Biliary Stent System is indicated for use in the palliation of malignant strictures (neoplasms) in the biliary tree.
Device Story
LifeStent Turbo Biliary Stent System is a balloon-expandable, stainless steel, open-lattice stent; permanently implanted to maintain patency of major bile ducts obstructed by tumors. Provided on an over-the-wire delivery system. Used by physicians in clinical settings. Stent is deployed via balloon expansion to compress impinging tissue. Benefits include restoration of bile flow in patients with malignant biliary strictures. Safety and effectiveness for vascular use not established.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Testing included deployment, dimensional, compression force, balloon performance, stent deformation, and tensile strength testing. No clinical data provided.
Technological Characteristics
Stainless steel, balloon-expandable, open-lattice stent. Delivery system is over-the-wire. Stent diameters: 5mm and 6mm; lengths: 18mm and 25mm. Sterilization method and packaging are substantially equivalent to predicate.
Indications for Use
Indicated for the palliation of malignant strictures (neoplasms) in the biliary tree. Not for use in the vascular system.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A biliary catheter and accessories is a tubular flexible device used for temporary or prolonged drainage of the biliary tract, for splinting of the bile duct during healing, or for preventing stricture of the bile duct. This generic type of device may include a bile collecting bag that is attached to the biliary catheter by a connector and fastened to the patient with a strap.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). The device, when it is a bile collecting bag or a surgical biliary catheter that does not include a balloon component, is exempt from the premarket notification procedures in subpart E of part 807 of this chapter subject to the limitations in § 876.9.
Predicate Devices
LifeStent LP SDS Biliary Stent System (K023248, K041370)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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MAR 2 2 2005
510(k) Summary
K050627
Page 1 of 2
### 1. Submitter's Name and Address:
Edwards Lifesciences LLC One Edwards Way Irvine, CA 92614
# 2. Contact:
Kevin Drisko Sr. Regulatory Manager Edwards Lifesciences LLC One Edwards Way Irvine, CA 92614 Phone: 949-250-2416 FAX: 949-250-3630 E-Mail: kevin_drisko@edwards.com
#### 3. Date Prepared:
March 3, 2005
#### 4. Device Trade Name:
LifeStent Turbo Biliary Stent System
### 5. Device Common Name:
Biliary Stent
### 6. Device Classification Name:
Biliary Catheter (78 FGE), Class II
# 7. Predicate Devices:
LifeStent LP SDS Billiary Stent System (K023248, K041370)
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510(k) Summary (continued)
K050627
Page 2 of 2
# 8. Device Description:
The LifeStent Turbo consists of a balloon expandable stent that is provided on an over-the-wire The LifeStent Turbo ochales of a bancon one manently implanted device used to cathere that aoto as a donvoly byetem structed by tissue of an impinging tumor. The flexible, maintain patchoy of a major bile decesser cutting an open lattice design into a stainless steel tube. banoon expandation of this made by labor 6 hills. 18 mm, and 25mm and diameters of 5mm and 6mm.
# 9. Intended Use:
The LifeStent Turbo Biliary Stent System is indicated for use in the palliation of malignant strictures (neoplasms) in the biliary tree.
# 10. Technological Characteristics:
Comparisons of the subject and predicate devices show that the technical characteristics such as materials, performance properties, biocompatibility, method of sterilization, and packaging are identical or substantially equivalent.
# 11. Performance Data:
Edwards Lifesciences completed bench testing such as deployment testing, dimensional testing, compression force testing, balloon performance testing, stent deformation testing as well as tensile strength testing on applicable joints of the delivery system. The results indicate that the system performed in a manner substantially equivalent to the predicate device cited in item 7 above.
### 12. Conclusion:
Since the LifeStent Turbo has the same intended use, same materials, similar performance properties, packaging and sterilization methods, it may be considered substantially equivalent to the predicate device cited in item 7 above.
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Image /page/2/Picture/2 description: The image shows the seal of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The seal is circular and contains the words "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" around the perimeter. In the center of the seal is an emblem that resembles a stylized eagle or bird-like figure with three curved lines representing its body and wings.
MAR 2 2 2005
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
Mr. Kevin Drisko Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs Edwards Lifesciences LLC One Edwards Way IRVINE CA 92614
Re: K050627
K050627
Trade/Device Name: Edwards Lifesciences LifeStent Turbo Biliary Stent System
Trade/Device Name: Edwards Frade/Don Number: 21 CFR §876.5010 Regulation Names: Biliary catheter and accessories Regulatory Class: II Product Code: 78 FGE Dated: March 10, 2005 Received: March 11, 2005
Dear Mr. Drisko:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) premarket notification of intent to market the device is We have reviewed your Section >10(K) prematise includent (for the indications for the indications for referenced above and have determined in devices marketed in interstate commerce
use stated in the enclosure) to legally marketed previoes marketed in interstate shat use stated in the enclosure) to legally markets areast analyments, or to devices that
prior to May 28, 1976, the enactment date of the Medical Device Amendments prior to May 28, 1976, the enatment date of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
have been reclassified in accordance with the provisions of the Federal controls provisions o have been reclassified in accordance with the pive, subject to the general controls provisions of the
Act (Act). You may, therefore, market the seneral controls provisions o Act (Act). You may, therefore, market the devices and works.
Act and the limitations described below. The general controls provisions of the Actinelude Act and the limitations described below. The genetar confisions of them of the more
requirements for annual registration, listing of devices, good manufacturing practice, la requirements for annual beganding and adulteration.
The Office of Device Evaluation has determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that his device The Office of Device Evaluation has delemined in the proposed aboling and that such use could cause
will be used for an intended use not identify of the Act, the Act, the Act will be used for an intended use not identified in the proposed and the following limitation must
ham. Therefore, in accordance with Section 5 1 (i)(1)(E) of the Act, the fo narm. Therefore, in according of the device's labeling:
The safety and effectiveness of this device for use in the vascular system have not been established.
Furthermore, the indication for biliary use must be prominently displayed in all labeling, including Furthermore, the indication for bithing use and other promotional materials, in close
pouch, box, and carton labels, instructions for use, and in hold mini pouch, box, and carton labors, mistrations of a similar point size, and in bold print.
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# Page 2 – Mr. Kevin Drisko
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (PMA), it
four device in the form to be Fristing major regulations affecting y If your device is classified (see above) into either class in (Special Control) of eries (
may be subject to additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your d rr Jour be subject to additional controls. Existing major regulations from the collection
in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 898. In addition, FDA m in the Code of Federal Regulations, True 21, 31.
announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register.
announce advised that FDA's issuance of a substantial equivalence determination does not mean that Please be advised that FDA's issuance of a substante coccummance of the Act or any
FDA has made a determination that your device complies with all FDA has made a determination that your device comples. You must comply with all
Federal statutes and regulations administered by other Federal openities (21 CFR Part 807); Federal statutes and regulations administered by other registration and listing (21 CFR Part 807);
the Act's requirements, including, but not limited to: registration as set the Act's requirements, including but not limited to: Teglirements as set forth in the quality
labeling (21 CFR Part 801); good manufacturing practice requirements as set fo labeling (21 CFR Part 801); good manufacturing practice to accordent as a comments.
systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820); and if applicable; the electronic product radia systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Fart 020), and 1847-141-144-141-14-11-11-1000-1050.
control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.
The FDA finding of substantial equivalence of your device to a legally marketed proceed to the market. This The FDA finding of substantial equivalence of your device to proceed to the market. This results in a classification for your device as described in your Setion 510(k) premarket
letter will allow your obegin marketing your device as described in your labeline. letter will allow you to begin marketing your device as associated by our labeling.
notification if the limitation statement described above is added to your labeling.
Please note that the above labeling limitations are required by Section 513(i)(1)(E) of the Act.
The Act. In and the started by Sep these limitations are modified in any way Please note that the above labeling Ilmitations are required by Bocker. Se ( ( from the device's labeling.
If you desire specific information about the application of other labeling requirements to your device If you desire specific information about the apprication of other 1900) 594-4616. Also, please note (21 CFR Part 801), please contact the United Communes at (501) for Parl 807.97).
the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification in the Division the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by responsibilities inderstine Act from the Division
You may obtain other general information on your responsibilities number You may obtain other general information on "Onsumer Assistance at its toll-free number
of Small Manufacturers, International, and Consumer Assistance at its toll-free number of Small Manufacturers, International its Internet address (600) 050 = fda.gov/cdrh/dsma/dsmamain.html.
Sincerely yours,
NAGTM
Donna-Bea Tillman, Ph.D. Director Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
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510(k) Number: K050627
Device Name: Edwards Lifesciences LifeStent Turbo Biliary Stent System
FDA's Statement of the Indications for Use for device:
I Dri s Career in
The Edwards LifeStent Turbo Biliary Stent System is indicated for use in the palliation
in the provinces and any a in the biliary tree I he Edwards Enesciences Enoblems) in the biliary tree.
Prescription Use
(Per 21 CFR 801.109)
OR
Over-the-Counter Use _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Nancy Cropton
---
(Division Sign-Off)
(Division Sign-Off) Division of Reproductive, Abdominal, and Radiological Devices 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.