The Triathlon TS Total Knee System components are intended for use in primary and revision total knee arthroplasty to alleviate pain and restore function. All total knee components presented in this submission are provided sterile for single-use.
Device Story
Triathlon TS Knee System is a semi-constrained, cemented total knee replacement prosthesis; designed for patients with severely deficient bone stock requiring increased stabilization. System includes femoral components, stem extenders, offset adapters, stems, and tibial inserts (standard and TS Plus designs). Implants available in sizes 1-8. Used by orthopedic surgeons in clinical/surgical settings for primary or revision total knee arthroplasty. Device replaces damaged joint surfaces; provides mechanical stability to knee joint; restores function; alleviates pain. Components are implanted via surgical procedure; cemented fixation required.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data provided. Substantial equivalence is based on design, intended use, and technological similarities to legally marketed predicate devices.
Technological Characteristics
Semi-constrained, cemented patellofemorotibial prosthesis. Materials: metal/polymer. Design: femoral components, stem extenders, offset adapters, stems, and tibial inserts. Sizes: 1-8. Sterilization: provided sterile for single-use. Regulatory class: II. Product code: JWH.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients with painful, disabling knee joint disease (osteoarthritis, traumatic arthritis, avascular necrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis); post-traumatic loss of function; moderate varus, valgus, or flexion deformity; revision of failed knee replacement; or distal femur/proximal tibia fractures. TS components specifically indicated for ligamentous instability, absent/non-functioning posterior cruciate ligament, severe anteroposterior instability, or severe instability due to compromised collateral ligament integrity. Bone augments indicated for cases complicated by bone loss. Intended for cemented use only.
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
Howmedica Total Stabilizing Total Knee System (K973164)
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# K070095 510(k) Summary of Safety and Effectiveness for the Triathlon® TS Knee System
JUN - 1 2007
| Proprietary Name: | Triathlon® TS Knee System |
|-----------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Common Name: | Total Knee Joint Replacement Prosthesis |
| Classification Name and Reference | Joint patellofemorotibial<br>polymer/metal/polymer semi-constrained<br>cemented prosthesis.<br>21 CFR §888.3560 |
| Regulatory Class: | Class II |
| Device Product Code: | 87 JWH - prosthesis, knee,<br>patellofemorotibial, semi-constrained,<br>cemented, polymer/metal/polymer |
| For Information contact: | Tiffani Rogers<br>Regulatory Affairs Specialist<br>Stryker Orthopaedics<br>325 Corporate Drive<br>Mahwah, New Jersey 07432<br>Phone: (201) 831-5412<br>Fax: (201) 831-6038<br>E-Mail: Tiffani.Rogers@stryker.com |
| Date Summary Prepared: | June 1, 2007 |
#### Device Description
A total stabilizing version of the Triathlon Total Knee System has been developed and will now include femoral components and tibial inserts compatible with the Triathlon universal tibial components cleared previously. The new Triathlon TS Knee is designed to accommodate patients with severely deficient bone stock who require additional components for increased stabilization. The Triathlon TS System will include femoral components, stem extenders, offset adapters, stems, and tibial inserts in standard and TS Plus design. Implants will be available in sizes 1 through 8. Product descriptions, product codes and engineering drawings are provided for review.
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## Intended Use:
The Triathlon TS Total Knee System components are intended for use in primary and revision total knee arthroplasty to alleviate pain and restore function. All total knee components presented in this submission are provided sterile for single-use.
#### Indications for Use
General Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKR) Indications:
- Painful, disabling joint disease of the knee resulting from: noninflammatory . degenerative joint disease (including osteoarthritis, traumatic arthritis, or avascular necrosis), rheumatoid arthritis or post-traumatic 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 (PS) and Total Stabilizer (TS) Components:
- . Ligamentous instability requiring implant bearing surface geometries with increased constraint.
- . Absent or non-functioning posterior cruciate ligament.
- Severe anteroposterior instability of the knee joint. .
#### Additional Indications for Total Stabilizer (TS) Components:
- Severe instability of the knee secondary to compromised collateral ligament ● integrity or function.
#### Indications for Bone Augments:
- . Painful, disabling joint disease of the knee secondary to: degenerative arthritis. rheumatoid arthritis, or post-traumatic arthritis, complicated by the presence of bone loss.
- Salvage of previous unsuccessful total knee replacement or other surgical . procedure, accompanied by bone loss.
- Salvage of previous unsuccessful total knee replacement or other surgical . procedure, accompanied by bone loss.
The Triathlon TS Total Knee System components are intended for cemented use only.
#### Substantial Equivalence:
The determination of the substantial equivalence of the Triathlon TS total knee system is based on similarities in intended use, design and sterilization to the Howmedica Total Stabilizing Total Knee System (K973164, cleared August 22, 1997), Triathlon PS Knee System (K031729, cleared September 2, 2003 and K042993 cleared January 12, 2005) and the Triathlon® Total Knee System (K053514, cleared January 26, 2006).
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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 features a stylized eagle with three stripes forming its wing. The text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" is arranged in a circular pattern around the eagle.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
# JUN - 1 2007
JUN - 1 2007
Howmedica Osteonics Corp. c/o Ms. Tiffani D. Rogers Regulatory Affairs Specialist 325 Corporate Drive Mahwah, New Jersey 07430
Re: K070095
Trade/Device Name: Triathlon TS Knee System Regulation Number: 21 CFR 888.3560 Regulation Name: Knee joint patellofemorotibial polymer/metal/polymer semi-constrained cemented prosthesis Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: JWH Dated: May 17, 2007 Received: May 18, 2007
Dear Ms. Rogers:
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 - Ms. Tiffani D. Rogers
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) 276-0120. 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 toll-free number (800) 638-2041 or (240) 276-3150 or the Internet address http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/industry/support/index.html.
Sincerely yours,
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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Alvin M. McRaven
City Sign Off
090095
Division of General. Restorative, and Neurological Devices
510(k) Number
510(k) Number (if known):
Device Name: Triathlon® TS Knee System
## Indications for Use
General Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKR) Indications:
- Painful, disabling joint disease of the knee resulting from: noninflammatory . degenerative joint disease (including osteoarthritis, traumatic arthritis, or avascular necrosis), rheumatoid arthritis or post-traumatic 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 (PS) and Total Stabilizer (TS) Components:
- Ligamentous instability requiring implant bearing surface geometries with . increased constraint.
- . Absent or non-functioning posterior cruciate ligament.
- . Severe anteroposterior instability of the knee joint.
#### Additional Indications for Total Stabilizer (TS) Components:
- Severe instability of the knee secondary to compromised collateral ligament . integrity or function.
#### Indications for Bone Augments:
- Painful, disabling joint disease of the knee secondary to: degenerative arthritis, . rheumatoid arthritis, or post-traumatic arthritis, complicated by the presence of bone loss.
- Salvage of previous unsuccessful total knee replacement or other surgical . procedure, accompanied by bone loss.
- . Salvage of previous unsuccessful total knee replacement or other surgical procedure, accompanied by bone loss.
The Triathlon TS Total Knee System components are intended for cemented use only.
x Over-the-Counter Use Prescription Use OR (Per 21 CFR 801.109)
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE -- CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
## Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
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.