K071778 · Graftcath, Inc. · DSY · Jan 30, 2008 · Cardiovascular
Device Facts
Record ID
K071778
Device Name
HERO VASCULAR ACCESS DEVICE
Applicant
Graftcath, Inc.
Product Code
DSY · Cardiovascular
Decision Date
Jan 30, 2008
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 870.3450
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The HeRO device is intended for use in maintaining long-term vascular access for chronic hemodialysis patients who have exhausted peripheral venous access sites suitable for fistulas or grafts.
Device Story
HeRO vascular access device provides long-term hemodialysis access for patients lacking peripheral venous options. Device consists of four components: radiopaque silicone catheter with internal nylon/nitinol reinforcing filaments for kink/crush resistance; pre-connected ePTFE hemodialysis graft; titanium connector; silicone sleeve. During surgery, physician sizes catheter by trimming; secures catheter to graft assembly using titanium crimp ring and provided stainless steel crimp tool. Device implanted by surgeon; provides synthetic vascular access path. Output is physical access site for hemodialysis circuit. Benefits include reduced bacteremia rates compared to standard catheters and improved patency/dialysis adequacy compared to catheter literature. Used in clinical/surgical settings.
Clinical Evidence
Clinical evaluation included 86 patients (36 catheter-dependent, 50 graft subjects) with 10-month average follow-up. Results showed device-related bacteremia rates significantly lower than catheter literature. Patency rates, flow rates, and dialysis adequacy (Kt/V) were comparable to graft literature and significantly better than catheter literature. No new types of serious adverse events observed. Bench testing included burst strength, connection leakage, crush resistance, fatigue testing, and ISO 10993 biocompatibility.
Indicated for end stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis who have exhausted all other access options, including those who are catheter-dependent or approaching dependency, are not candidates for upper extremity fistulas/grafts due to poor venous outflow, are failing existing fistulas/grafts, have poor remaining venous access sites, have compromised central venous systems or central venous stenosis, or are receiving inadequate dialysis clearance (low Kt/V) via catheters.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A vascular graft prosthesis is an implanted device intended to repair, replace, or bypass sections of native or artificial vessels, excluding coronary or cerebral vasculature, and to provide vascular access. It is commonly constructed of materials such as polyethylene terephthalate and polytetrafluoroethylene, and it may be coated with a biological coating, such as albumin or collagen, or a synthetic coating, such as silicone. The graft structure itself is not made of materials of animal origin, including human umbilical cords.
Special Controls
*Classification.* Class II (special controls). The special control for this device is the FDA guidance document entitled “Guidance Document for Vascular Prostheses 510(k) Submissions.”
Predicate Devices
Boston Scientific Exxcel Soft ePTFE graft (K052964)
Bard Access Systems Hickman Chronic Dialysis Catheter (K032900)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
{0}------------------------------------------------
#### 2 510(k) Summary
Date Prepared: January 25, 2008
JAN 30 2008
### Submitter's Name / Contact Person
Manufacturer GRAFTcath, Inc. 6545 City West Parkway Eden Prairie, MN 55344
#### Contact Person
Laurie Lynch, PhD General Manager and Vice President of R&D, Operations, and RA/QA Office : (952) 224-2225 X 222 Fax : (952) 224-2226 Email : llynch@graftcath.com
### General Information
| Trade Name | HeRO vascular access device |
|---------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Common / Usual Name | Hemodialysis vascular access device |
| Classification Name | 870.3460 Vascular graft prosthesis, Class II<br>876.5540 Catheter, hemodialysis, implant, Class III |
| Predicate Devices | K052964 Boston Scientific Exxcel Soft ePTFE graft<br>K032900 Edwards Lifespan ePTFE graft<br>Bard Access Systems Hickman Chronic Dialysis Catheter |
#### Device Description
The HeRO device is a non-autogenous (i.e., synthetic) vascular access composed of four components: a catheter component, a pre-connected graft assembly, a crimp ring, and a sleeve. The catheter component is made of radiopaque silicone and contains reinforcing filaments that impart kink and crush resistance. The catheter is provided in two different lengths (referred to as left side and right side) to accommodate anatomical variations. During surgery, the catheter length is sized to fit the patient by peeling back the nylon filament and cutting the catheter. The pre-connected graft assembly is a conventional ePTFE hemodialysis graft that has been attached to a titanium connector. The titanium crimp ring is used during surgery to secure the catheter to the graft assembly. The silicone sleeve is placed during surgery to impart kink resistance of the catheter at the connector and to cover the metal crimp ring in silicone.
{1}------------------------------------------------
| GRAFTcath, Inc. | Traditional 510(k) Premarket Notification |
|-----------------|-------------------------------------------|
| K071778 | HeRO Vascular Access Device |
Additionally, a reusable stainless steel crimp tool is provided to compress the crimp ring for securing the catheter component to the graft assembly during surgery. The crimp tool is provided non-sterile and is steam sterilized before each use.
# Intended Use
The HeRO device is intended for use in maintaining long-term vascular access for chronic hemodialysis patients who have exhausted peripheral venous access sites suitable for fistulas or grafts.
#### Indications for Use
The HeRO vascular access device is indicated for end stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis who have exhausted all other access options. These catheter-dependent patients are readily identified using the K/DOQI guidelines as patients who:
- Have become catheter-dependent or who are approaching catheter-dependency (i.e., have . exhausted all other access options, such as arteriovenous fistulas and grafts).
- Are not candidates for upper extremity fistulas or grafts due to poor venous outflow as . determined by a history of previous access failures or venography.
- Are failing fistulas or grafts due to poor venous outflow as determined by access failure . or venography.
- Have poor remaining venous access sites for creation of a fistula or graft as determined . by ultrasound or venography.
- Have a compromised central venous system or central venous stenosis (CVS) as . determined by history of previous access failures, symptomatic CVS (i.e., via arm, neck, or face swelling) or venography.
- Are receiving inadequate dialysis clearance (i.e., low Kt/V) via catheters. K/DOQI . guidelines recommend a minimum Kt/V of 1.4.2
# Substantial Equivalence Comparison
The HeRO device is substantially similar to legally marketed 510(k)-cleared devices in intended use, principles of use, composition, sizes, packaging, and sterility. The technological differences between HeRO and the predicate devices include use of a connector to combine the graft assembly and catheter component, use of imbedded nylon and nitinol reinforcements in the catheter component to impart kink and crush resistance, and a larger catheter ID and OD.
<sup>1</sup> National Kidney Foundation. K/DOQI Clinical Practice Guidelines for Vascular Access, 2000. Am. J. Kidney Disease 37:S137-S181, 2001 (suppl 1).
Relates - Disease - PAD19 - Clinical Practice Guidelines for Hemodialysis Adequacy Guideline 4." Minimally Adequate Hemodialysis.
{2}------------------------------------------------
| GRAFTcath, Inc. | Traditional 510(k) Premarket Notification |
|-----------------|-------------------------------------------|
| K071778 | HeRO Vascular Access Device |
Results of design verification and validation testing demonstrate that the HeRO is as safe as the predicate devices and reliably maintains long-term vascular access for hemodialysis. The risk assessment results, together with the results of design verification and validation testing presented in this submission, confirm that the HeRO device raises no new questions of safety or effectiveness compared to the predicate devices. The HeRO device has, therefore, been shown to be substantially equivalent to legally marketed devices for the purpose of 510(k) clearance.
#### Summary of Non-Clinical Performance Data
In vitro performance testing and ISO 10993 biocompatibility evaluations were conducted on the HeRO device. Bench tests included catheter burst strength, connection leakage, water entry pressure, device connection strength, crush resistance (catheter and marker band), catheter stiffness, catheter tensile strength and elongation, catheter fatigue testing (flex fatigue, 180 degree and V-bend), and kink resistance. All testing demonstrated that the HeRO device met its acceptance criteria.
#### Summary of Clinical Performance Data
Safety and performance of the HeRO device was clinically evaluated. Thirty six (36) catheterdependent subjects (catheter arm) and 50 graft subjects (graft arm) were treated with the HeRO device for a total of 86 patients with a combined average follow-up of 10 months. The rates and types of serious adverse events reported were comparable to catheter and graft literature for the patient population studied and no new types of serious adverse events were observed. Devicerelated bacteremia rates were significantly lower than reported in catheter literature. Patency rates, device flow rates, and adequacy of dialysis were not significantly different from graft literature reports and significantly better than catheter literature reports. The study results demonstrate that the HeRO device is comparable to the predicate devices in materials and in bench and clinical performance.
{3}------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
Image /page/3/Picture/2 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The logo consists of a circular seal with the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" arranged around the perimeter. Inside the circle is a stylized symbol resembling a caduceus, with three abstract shapes that could be interpreted as wings or flowing lines.
JAN 30 2008
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
GRAFTcath, Inc. C/O Dr. Laurie E. Lynch, Ph.D. General Manager and Vice President of R&D, Operations and RA/QA 6545 City West Parkway Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Re: K071778
HeRO (Hemodialysis Reliable Outflow) Vascular Access Device (formerly GRAFTcath Vascular Access System [GVAS] Regulation Number: 21 CFR 870.3450 Regulation Name: Vascular graft prosthesis Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: DSY, LJS, MSD Dated: December 11, 2007 Received: December 14, 2007
Dear Dr. Lynch:
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.
{4}------------------------------------------------
Page 2 – Dr. Laurie E. Lynch
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. 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 Center for Devices and Radiological Health's (CDRH's) Office of Compliance at (240) 276-0120. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21CFR Part 807.97). For questions regarding postmarket surveillance. please contact CDRH's Office of Surveillance and Biometric's (OSB's) Division of Postmarket Surveillance at 240-276-3474. For questions regarding the reporting of device adverse events (Medical Device Reporting (MDR)), please contact the Division of Surveillance Systems at 240-276-3464. 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,
Dmna R. Varlinel
\ Bram D. Zuckerman, M.D. Director Division of Cardiovascular Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{5}------------------------------------------------
# Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known): K071778
Device Name: HeRO Vascular Access Device
Indications For Use: The HeRO vascular access device indicated for end stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis who have exhausted all other access options. These catheter-dependent patients are readily identified using the K/DOQ! guidelines as patients who:
- Have become catheter-dependent or who are approaching catheter-dependency (i.e., have exhausted all other access options, such as arteriovenous fistulas and grafts).
- . Are not candidates for upper extremity fistulas or grafts due to poor venous outflow as determined by a history of previous access failures or venography.
- . Are failing fistulas or grafts due to poor venous outflow as determined by access failure or venography.
- Have poor remaining venous access sites for creation of a fistula or graft as . determined by ultrasound or venography.
- . Have a compromised central venous system or central venous stenosis (CVS) as determined by history of previous access failures, symptomatic CVS (i.e., via arm, neck, or face swelling) or venography.
- . Are receiving inadequate dialysis clearance (i.e., low Kt/V) via catheters, K/DQQ1 guidelines recommend a minimum Kt/V of 1.4.
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)
DUMNA R. VaLuneL
vision Sign-Off) Vision Sign-On-On-On-On-Vices
Page 1 of 1
Number K071778
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.