ENDOPATH ENDOCUTTER 60 ENDOSCOPIC LINEAR CUTTER, MODELS EC60, SC60 AND LONG60 AND ENDOPATH & PROXIMATE LINEAR CUTTERS
K061156 · Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. · GDW · Jul 3, 2006 · General, Plastic Surgery
Device Facts
Record ID
K061156
Device Name
ENDOPATH ENDOCUTTER 60 ENDOSCOPIC LINEAR CUTTER, MODELS EC60, SC60 AND LONG60 AND ENDOPATH & PROXIMATE LINEAR CUTTERS
Applicant
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
Product Code
GDW · General, Plastic Surgery
Decision Date
Jul 3, 2006
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 878.4750
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic, Pediatric
Indications for Use
The ENDOPATH Endocutter 60 Endoscopic Linear Cutter is intended for transection, and/or creation of anastomoses. The instrument has application in minimally invasive general, gynecologic, urologic, thoracic, and pediatric surgical procedures. It can be used with staple line or tissue buttressing materials. The ENDOPATH ETS45 Endoscopic Linear Cutters, the ETS-Flex45 Endoscopic Articulating Linear Cutters, and the ETS Compact-Flex45 Articulating Linear Cutters are intended for transection, and/or creation of anastomoses. The instruments have application in multiple open or minimally invasive general, gynecologic, urologic, thoracic, and pediatric surgical procedures. They can be used with staple line or tissue buttressing materials. The ENDOPATH ETS-Flex45 No-Knife Articulating Linear Staplers and the ETS Compact-Flex45 No-Knife Articulating Linear Staplers are intended for transection, and/or creation of anastomoses. The instruments have application in multiple open or minimally invasive general, gynecologic, thoracic, and pediatric surgical procedures. They can be used with staple line or tissue buttressing materials. The ENDOPATH EZ45 Endoscopic Linear Cutter has application in multiple open and other minimally invasive surgical procedures for transection, and/or creation of anastomoses and can be used with staple line or tissue buttressing materials. The ENDOPATH EZ45 No-Knife Endoscopic Linear Stapler has application in multiple open or other minimally invasive surgical procedures for transection, and can be used with staple line or tissue buttressing materials. The ENDOPATH EZ45 Thoracic Endoscopic Linear Cutter has application in thoracic surgery or other minimally invasive surgical procedures for transection, and/or creation of anastomoses and can be used with staple line buttressing materials.
Device Story
ENDOPATH Linear Cutters and Staplers are sterile, single-patient-use surgical instruments; used in open or minimally invasive procedures; operated by surgeons. Devices deliver two or three staggered rows of staples to tissue; some models simultaneously divide tissue between rows using an integrated knife; no-knife models provide stapling only. Features include safety lock-out to prevent refiring used reloads; staple retaining caps for transport; and articulation levers for bilateral jaw movement. Devices facilitate tissue transection and anastomosis creation; compatible with staple line or tissue buttressing materials. Clinical benefit derived from reliable tissue approximation and transection during complex surgical procedures.
Clinical Evidence
Animal testing and clinical literature search conducted to support use of No-Knife ETS and EZ products in open Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion procedures.
Technological Characteristics
Sterile, single-patient-use mechanical stapling instruments. Features include staple reloads (white, blue, gold, green), safety lock-out mechanism, articulation levers, and staple retaining caps. No electronic components, software, or energy sources. Materials and construction identical to predicate devices.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients undergoing open or minimally invasive general, gynecologic, urologic, thoracic, or pediatric surgical procedures requiring tissue transection or anastomosis creation. No specific contraindications listed.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An implantable staple is a staple-like device intended to connect internal tissues to aid healing. It is not absorbable.
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# 510(k) Summary
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. Company 4545 Creek Road Cincinnati, OH 45242
JUL - 3 2006
- Contact Tom Morris Quality Systems/Regulatory Affairs Project Manager Telephone: (513) 337-3235 (513) 337-2235 Fax: Email: tmorris@eesus.jnj.com
Date Prepared June 13, 2006
- Trade Name: ENDOPATH Linear Cutters and Staplers Device Name Common or Usual Name: Staple, Implantable Classification Name: Staple, Implantable [21 CFR 878.4750 (GDW)]
Predicate Device ENDOPATH Linear Cutters and Staplers
# Device Description
# Endocutter 60 Endoscopic Linear Cutter: EC60, SC60, LONG60
Sterile, single patient use instruments that deliver staples while simultaneously diving tissue between rows. ECHELON' 60instruments with white, blue, gold, and green reloads deliver two triple-staggered rows of staples. The instruments' safety lock-out feature is designed to prevent a used reload from being refired. The instruments have a staple line that is approximately 60mm long and a cut line that is approximately 57mm long. A staple retaining cap on the reload protects the staple leg points during shipping and transportation.
# ETS45 Endoscopic Linear Cutter: TSB45, TSG45, 6SB45
# ETS-Flex45 Endoscopic Articulating Linear Cutter: ATB45, ATG45, 6TB45, LONG45A ETS Compact Flex45 Articulating Linear Cutters: SCB45, SCG45, 6CB45
Sterile, single patient use instruments that deliver staples while simultaneously dividing tissue between rows. Instruments with blue (standard) reloads deliver two double- or triple-staggered rows of staples; instruments with green (thick) reloads deliver two double-staggered rows of staples only. The instruments' safety lock-out feature is designed to prevent a used reload from being refired. The instruments have a staple line that is approximately 45mm long and a cut line that is approximately 41mm long. A staple retaining cap on the reload protects the staple leg points during and transportation. An articulation lever on some instruments enables bilateral movement of the instrument jaws.
#### ETS-Flex45 No-Knife Endoscopic Articulating Linear Stapler: NAB45, NAG45 ETS Compact-Flex45 No-Knife Articulating Linear Stapler: NSB45, NSG45
Sterile, single patient use instruments with blue (standard) reloads deliver two double- or triple-staggered rows of staples; instruments with green (thick) reloads deliver two double-staggered rows of staples only. The instruments' safety lock-out feature is designed to prevent a used reload from being refired. The instruments have a staple line that is approximately 45mm long. A staple retaining cap on the reload protects the staple leg points during shipping and transportation. An articulation lever on the instruments enables bilateral movement of the instrument jaws.
# EZ45 Endoscopic Linear Cutter: ET45B, ET45G
Sterile, single patient use instrument that delivers two double-staggered rows of staples while simultaneously diving the tissue between rows. The instrument is designed for use in procedures with or without insufflation. The instruments' safety lock-out feature is designed to prevent a used reload from being refired. The instruments have a staple line that is approximately 45mm long and a cut line that is approximately 41mm long. A staple retaining cap on the reload protects the staple leg points during shipping and transportation.
# EZ45 No-Knife Endoscopic Linear Stapler: NK45B, NK45G
Sterile, single patient use instrument that delivers two double-staggered rows of staples. The instrument is designed for use in procedures with or without insufflation. The instrument's safety lock-out feature is designed to prevent a used reload from
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being refired. The instruments have a staple line that is approximately 45mm long. A staple retaining cap on the reload protects the staple leg points during shipping and transportation.
#### Thoracic Endoscopic Linear Cutter: EZ45B, EZ45G
Sterile, single patient use instrument that delivers two double-staggered rows of staples while simultaneously diving the tissue between rows. The instrument is designed for use in procedures without insufflation. The instruments' safety lock-out feature is designed to prevent a used reload from being refired. The instrument has a staple line that is approximately 45mm long and a cut line that is approximately 41mm long. A staple retaining cap on the reload protects the staple leg points during shipping and transportation.
# Indications for Use
#### Endocutter 60 Endoscopic Linear Cutter: EC60, SC60, LONG60
The ENDOPATH Endocutter 60 Endoscopic Linear Cutter is intended for transection, and/or creation of anastomoses. The instrument has application in minimally invasive general, gynecologic, urologic, thoracic, and pediatric surgical procedures. It can be used with staple line or tissue buttressing materials.
#### ETS45 Endoscopic Linear Cutter: TSB45, TSG45, 6SB45
#### ETS-Flex45 Endoscopic Articulating Linear Cutter: ATB45, ATG45, 6TB45, LONG45A ETS Compact Flex45 Articulating Linear Cutters: SCB45, SCG45, 6CB45
The ENDOPATH ETS45 Endoscopic Linear Cutters, the ETS-Flex45 Endoscopic Articulating Linear Cutters, and the ETS Compact-Flex45 Articulating Linear Cutters are intended for transection, and/or creation of anastomoses. The instruments have application in multiple open or minimally invasive general, gynecologic, urologic, thoracic, and pediatric surgical procedures. They can be used with staple line or tissue buttressing materials,
# ETS-Flex45 No-Knife Endoscopic Articulating Linear Stapler: NAB45, NAG45
#### ETS Compact-Flex45 No-Knife Articulating Linear Stapler: NSB45, NSG45
The ENDOPATH ETS-Flex45 No-Knife Articulating Linear Staplers and the ETS Compact-Flex45 No-Knife Articulating Linear Staplers are intended for transection, and/or creation of anastomoses. The instruments have application in multiple open or minimally invasive general, gynecologic, thoracic, and pediatric surgical procedures. They can be used with staple line or tissue buttressing materials.
# EZ45 Endoscopic Linear Cutter: ET45B, ET45G
The ENDOPATH EZ45 Endoscopic Linear Cutter has application in multiple open and other minimally invasive surgical procedures for transection, and/or creation of anastomoses and can be used with staple line or tissue buttressing materials.
# EZ45 No-Knife Endoscopic Linear Stapler: NK45B, NK45G
The ENDOPATH EZ45 No-Knife Endoscopic Linear Stapler has application in multiple open or other minimally invasive surgical procedures for transection, and can be used with staple line or tissue buttressing materials.
# Thoracic Endoscopic Linear Cutter: EZ45B, EZ45G
The ENDOPATH EZ45 Thoracic Endoscopic Linear Cutter has application in thoracic surgery or other minimally invasive surgical procedures for transection, and/or creation of anastomoses and can be used with staple line buttressing materials.
Technological Characteristics The technological characteristics are identical to the predicate devices. There are no material, construction, specification, manufacturing or sterilization process changes to the currently marketed devices differ only in the Directions for Use and Indications Statements.
Performance Data Ethicon Endo-Surgery conducted animal testing (Section 19) and a clinical literature search (Section 20) to establish the use of the stapling devices (No-Knife ETS and EZ products only) in the open Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion procedure.
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Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
AUL - 3 2006
Ethicon Endo-Surgerv Inc. % Mr. Tom Morris. MBA. CQE Quality Systems/Regulatory Affairs Project Manager 4545 Creek Road Cincinnati. Ohio 45242
Re: K061156
Trade/Device Name: ENDOPATH device family Regulation Number: 21 CFR 878.4750 Regulation Name: Implantable staple Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: GDW Dated: April 25. 2006 Received: April 26, 2006
Dear Mr. Morris:
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. Iisting 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
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Page 2 - Mr. Tom Morris. MBA. CQF.
forth in the quality systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820): and if applicable, the clectronic 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) 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 (240) 276-0115. 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 (240) 276-3150 or at its Internet address http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/industry/support/index.html.
Sincerely yours,
Herbert Lennox
Mark N. Melkerson Director Division of General, Restorative and Neurological Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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2061156
# Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known): . K061156
ENDOPATH device family Device Name:
# Endocutter 60 Endoscopic Linear Cutter: EC60, SC60, LONG60
The ENDOPATH Endocutter 60 Endoscopic Linear Cutter is intended for transection, and/or creation of anastomoses. The instrument has application in multiple open or minimally invasive general, gynccologic, urologic, thoracic, and pediatric surgical procedures. It can be used with staple line or tissue buttressing materials.
# ETS45 Endoscopic Linear Cutter: TSB45, TSG45, 6SB45
# ETS-Flex45 Endoscopic Articulating Linear Cutter: ATB45, ATG45, 6TB45, LONG45A ETS Compact Flex45 Articulating Linear Cutters: SCB45, SCG45, 6CB45
The ENDOPATH FTS45 Endoscopic Linear Cutters, the ETS-Flex45 Endoscopic Articulating Linear Cutters, and the ETS Compact-Flex45 Articulating Linear Cutters are intended for transection, and/or creation of anastomoses. The instruments have application in multiple open or minimally invasive general, gynecologic, urologic, thoracic, and pediatric surgical procedures. They can be used with staple buttressing materials.
# ETS-Flex45 No-Knife Endoscopic Articulating Linear Stapler: NAB45, NAG45 ETS Compact-Flex45 No-Knife Articulating Linear Stapler: NSB45, NSG45
The ENDOPATH ETS-Flex45 No-Knife Articulating Linear Staplers and the ETS Compact-Flex45 No-Knife Articulating Linear Staplers are intended for transection, and/or creation of anastomoses. The instruments have application in multiple open or minimally invasive general, gynecologic, thoracic, and pediatric surgical procedures. They can be used with staple line or tissue buttressing materials.
# EZ45 Endoscopic Linear Cutter: ET45B, ET45G
The ENDOPATH EZ45 Endoscopic Linear Cutter has application in multiple open and other minimally invasive surgical procedures for transection, and/or creation of anastomoses and can be used with stable line or tissue buttressing materials.
# EZ45 No-Knife Endoscopic Linear Stapler: NK45B, NK45G
The ENDOPATH EZ45 No-Knife Endoscopic Linear Stapler has application in multiple open or other minimally invasive surgical procedures for transection, and can be used with staple line or tissue buttressing materials.
# Thoracic Endoscopic Linear Cutter: EZ45B, EZ45G
The ENDOPATH EZ45 Thoracic Endoscopic Linear Cutter has application in thoracic surgery or other minimally invasive surgical procedures for transccion, resection, and/or creation of anastomoses and can be used with staple line buttressing materials.
Prescription Use X (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
AND/OR
Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
| Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE) | |
|--------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|
| Page 1 of 1<br>(Posted November 13, 2003) | (Division Sign-Off) |
| | Division of General, Restorative,<br>and Neurological Devices |
| 510(k) Number | K061154 |
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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.