K073132 · North American Medical Corp (Nam) · ITH · Apr 3, 2008 · Physical Medicine
Device Facts
Record ID
K073132
Device Name
MODEL D DISC FORCE
Applicant
North American Medical Corp (Nam)
Product Code
ITH · Physical Medicine
Decision Date
Apr 3, 2008
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 890.5900
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic, 3rd-Party Reviewed
Indications for Use
The Model D provides a program of treatments for the relief from pain for those patients suffering from low back pain and neck pain. Each treatment consists of a physician prescribed treatment period on the Model D and is designed to provide static, intermittent, and cycling distraction forces to relieve pressure on structures that may be causing low back and neck pain. It achieves this through decompression of intervertebral discs - unloading due to distraction and positioning. Conditions which may be treated by this methodology include back and neck pain associated with herniated discs, protruding discs, degenerative disc disease, posterior facet syndrome, and sciatica.
Device Story
Model D is a powered traction table for clinical use by practitioners. Patient steps onto vertical bed; practitioner uses remote to recline bed to horizontal. Bed features two cushions on low-friction runners; upper torso anchored via chest harness; lower torso secured via pelvic harness. Distraction unit mounted on vertical platform at foot end applies tension (0-27 degree angle). Device provides static, intermittent, or cycling distraction forces (0-200 lbs). Practitioner programs treatment parameters (time, tension) via control panel. System includes patient/emergency interrupt switches for immediate tension release. Safety features: audible warnings, automatic tension return to zero at session end, and manual parameter re-entry required after any interruption. Flat panel monitor provides patient comfort/education. Benefits include pain relief through disc decompression and unloading.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data. Bench testing only. Safety and effectiveness supported by design characteristics, including electrical safety (24V circuits), mechanical safety (emergency release, tension limits), and historical performance of similar devices over ten years without MDR events.
Technological Characteristics
Powered traction equipment; 24V electric bed actuator and control unit. Features: two-cushion sliding bed, pelvic/chest harness system, vertical movable distraction platform (0-27 degrees). Tension range: 0-200 lbs. Connectivity: control panel for parameter input/monitoring. Safety: patient/emergency interrupt switches, audible alarms, automatic tension release. Sterilization: N/A.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients suffering from low back and neck pain associated with herniated discs, protruding discs, degenerative disc disease, posterior facet syndrome, and sciatica. Provides static, intermittent, and cycling distraction forces for pain relief via intervertebral disc decompression.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
Powered traction equipment consists of powered devices intended for medical purposes for use in conjunction with traction accessories, such as belts and harnesses, to exert therapeutic pulling forces on the patient's body.
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Chirotronics Model D - 510(k) Notification Submission 20 September 2007
K073/32
# 510(k) Summary of Safety and Effectiveness
## Device Description
Device Trade Name:
Common Name: Classification Name: Class: Reference: Product Code: Panel Code:
Model D Disc Force Traction Equipment Powered Traction Equipment Class II 21 CFR 890.5900 ITH 890 - Physical Medicine
APR - 3 2008
# Predicate Devices:
K981822 - DRS K023160 - DRX500 K060735 - DRY9000
# Intended Use:
The Model D provides a program of treatments for the relief from pain for those patients suffering from low back pain and neck pain. Each treatment consists of a physician prescribed treatment period on the Model D and is designed to provide static, intermittent, and cycling distraction forces to relieve pressure on structures that may be causing low back and neck pain. It achieves this through decompression of intervertebral discs - unloading due to distraction and positioning. Conditions which may be treated by this methodology include back and neck pain associated with herniated discs, protruding discs, degenerative disc disease, posterior facet syndrome, and sciatica.
#### Technological Characteristics:
The Model D incorporates various principles and working characteristics of the predicate devices. The incorporation of a traction device with a flat surface type powered bed remains the same, and the new overall appearance of the apparatus has not impacted on or changed the safety and effectiveness of the device.
#### Device Description:
The main parts of the Model D are as follow:
- The bed is a stand on / stand off type of bed that can be tilted to allow the fully し. clothed patient to step onto a footrest while in the vertical position and then be slowly lowered to the horizontal treatment position using a remote control hand held by the practitioner.
- The bed is split into two cushions which slide on low friction runners only in the 2. horizontal plane and which can be locked independently.
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# Chirotronics Model D - 510(k) Notification Submission
- Distraction tensions are applied to the patient via a pelvic harness while the upper 3. torso is anchored to the locked cephalic cushion via a chest harness. The lower cushion, on which the lower torso of the patient rests, is unlocked and able to slide freely, thus negating any frictional movement between the patient and the bed cushions during the application of distraction forces and ensuring the efficiency of the application of the prescribed force.
- The distraction unit is mounted to a vertical movable platform incorporated into a 4. support tower at the foot end of the bed. This enables the distraction tensions to be applied at differing angles (ranging from 0 to 27 degrees) to the patient.
- The distraction unit is programmable and controlled from a control panel fitted న్. into the tower to provide static or intermittent distraction.
- The minimum and maximum distraction settings are 0 200 pounds. 6.
- Treatment parameters, such as time and tension, are continuously monitored and 7. displayed by the control panel during set up and during treatment.
- At the conclusion of the duration of the treatment session, the tension always 8. returns to zero.
- A flat panel monitor, which is incorporated in a separate section of the control 9. tower, with headphones provides comfort and relaxation to the patient and / or educational opportunities.
- The system incorporates a Patient Interrupt Switch; an Emergency Interrupt 10. Switch; and a Power Switch, which, when selected independently, in tandem, or in unison, results in the immediate release of all tension.
- The Model D will not operate if the Patient Switch is not working properly or has 11. not been tested prior to the commencement of each treatment session.
- If the Patient Interrupt Switch, or the Emergency Interrupt Switch is activated 12. during a session, or power is interrupted, all treatment parameters must be manually re-entered before the treatment session will restart.
# Summary of Safety and Effectiveness:
The Model D has been designed to be safe and effective. The primary characteristics for safety and effectiveness include:
- The bed actuator activation is via a 24-volt electric circuit. 1.
- The control unit of the distraction unit, including the Patient Emergency Switch's 2. power supply is a maximum of 24 volts.
- The patient steps onto the bed while it is in the vertical position and is then 3. reclined into the treatment position under the supervision of the attendant, and does not have to climb onto the treatment bed.
- Adjustable handgrips are fitted for patient support during the reclining of the bed. 4.
- There is an audible warning signal when the unit is first turned on, when the 5. treatment session is complete, when the Patient Interrupt Switch is tested or activated during a treatment session.
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# Chirotronics Model D - 510(k) Notification Submission
- Anytime a session is interrupted, whether as a result of patient input via the 6. Patient Interrupt Switch; attendant input via the Stop Session switch, or Power Switch; or power interruption, there is an instantaneous release of all tensions. In any of these instances, the treatment program has to be manually reentered into the control panel before treatment can re-commence.
- All treatment parameters must be physically inputted each time a session occurs. 7.
- There is limited vertical movement of the traction head. 8.
- There is a permanent visible means of indication of the angle of distraction pull. 9.
- The system defaults to a maximum tension of 200 pounds for lumbar session and 10. 30 pounds for a cervical session if an amount greater than these are inadvertently entered by the physician.
- If a tension amount greater than one-half of the patient's body weight is entered, a 11. warning box must be responded to before the session can start.
Similar types of devices have been successfully manufactured and marketed in this country for over ten years with no evidence of MDR events.
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Image /page/3/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo is a circular seal with the words "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" around the perimeter. Inside the circle is an abstract image of an eagle.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
North American Medical Corp (NAM) % Regulatory Technology Services, LLC Mr. Mark Job 1394 25th Street, NW Buffalo, MN 55313
APR - 3 2008
Re: K073132
Trade/Device Name: Model D Disc Force Regulation Number: 21 CFR 890.5900 Regulation Names: Power traction equipment Regulatory Class: II Product Code: ITH Dated: March 18, 2008 Received: March 19, 2008
Dear Mr. Job:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) premarket notification of intent to market the device we nave teviewed your becternined the device is substantially equivalent (for the indications for use stated in the enclosure) to legally marketed predicate devices marketed in interstate for use stated in the chorosure) to regars the Medical Device Amendments, or to commence provision of May 20, 1976, the encordance with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Act) that do not require approval of a premarket approval application (PMA). and Cosmetic Act (Act) that to not require approvine the general controls provisions of the Act. The You may, mercerore, market the act include requirements for annual registration, listing of general controls provisions of the 110 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 If your device is classified (500 abor of als. Existing major regulations affecting your device can may be subject to such additional controller and the games 800 to 898. In addition, FDA may oc found in the Oods of Peaching your device in the Federal Register.
Please be advised that FDA's issuance of a substantial equivalence determination does not mean Please be advised hiat I Dri 3 issualled of a backed complies with other requirements of the Act that IDA has made a dolorimiation administered by other Federal agencies. You must or any Fecelal statutes and regulations animals. 8 - 3 - 5 - 5 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 comply with an the Act 3 requirements, netwarts, and manufacturing practice requirements as set CFK Part 807), labeling (21 CFR Part 820); and if applicable, the electronic forth in the quality systems (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.
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#### Page 2 - Mr. Mark Job
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 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 M. Millerson
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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# Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known): not known
Device Name: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Indications for Use:
The Model D -- Disc Force provides a program of traction type treatments for relief from pain for patients suffering with low back pain and neck pain. Each treatment consists of a physician prescribed treatment period on the Model D - Disc Force and is designed to provide static, intermittent, and cycling distraction forces to relieve pressures on structures that may be causing low back or neck pain. Conditions that may be treated include neck and back pain associated with herniated discs, protruding discs, degenerative disc disease, posterior facet syndrome, and sciatica. It achieves these effects through decompression of inter-vertebral discs, that is, unloading due to distraction and positioning.
Prescription Use (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)
Concurrent of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Neithre 22. Gicmkn
Division Sign Division of General, Restorative, and Neurological Devices
510(k) Number_KO73132
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.