The TranS1® AxiaLiF® System is indicated for patients requiring fusion to treat pseudoarthrosis, unsuccessful previous fusion, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis (Grade 1 or 2), or degenerative disc disease as defined as back pain of discogenic origin with degeneration of the disc confirmed by history and radiographic studies. The TranS1® AxiaLIF® is not intended to treat severe scoliosis, severe spondylolisthesis (Grades 3 and 4), tumor or trauma. Its usage is limited to anterior supplemental fixation of the lumbar spine at L5 - S1 in conjunction with legally marketed facet or pedicle screw systems. The intended use of the instrumentation kit is for minimally invasive access to the anterior portion of the lower spine for assisting in the treatment of degeneration of the lumbar disc, performing lumbar discectomy or for assistance in the performance of L5 - S1 interbody fusion.
Device Story
Multi-component system for minimally invasive pre-sacral access to L5-S1 disc space; includes titanium alloy implants and titanium/stainless steel instrumentation. Instruments create axial track to distract vertebral bodies and insert bone graft; anterior fixation rod implanted through same track. Used by surgeons in clinical setting for supplemental fixation in conjunction with facet or pedicle screw systems. Facilitates interbody fusion; provides anterior stabilization; reduces invasiveness compared to traditional open procedures.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data provided; substantial equivalence based on technological characteristics and design similarities to predicate devices.
Technological Characteristics
Titanium alloy implants; titanium alloy and stainless steel instrumentation. System provides minimally invasive pre-sacral access to L5-S1. Mechanical fixation device; no energy source or software components.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients requiring L5-S1 lumbar fusion for pseudoarthrosis, failed previous fusion, spinal stenosis, Grade 1-2 spondylolisthesis, or discogenic back pain with confirmed degeneration. Contraindicated for severe scoliosis, Grade 3-4 spondylolisthesis, tumor, or trauma.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A spinal intervertebral body fixation orthosis is a device intended to be implanted made of titanium. It consists of various vertebral plates that are punched into each of a series of vertebral bodies. An eye-type screw is inserted in a hole in the center of each of the plates. A braided cable is threaded through each eye-type screw. The cable is tightened with a tension device and it is fastened or crimped at each eye-type screw. The device is used to apply force to a series of vertebrae to correct “sway back,” scoliosis (lateral curvature of the spine), or other conditions.
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Image /page/0/Picture/0 description: The image contains a sequence of alphanumeric characters, specifically "K073514". The characters are written in a handwritten style, with varying stroke thicknesses. The characters are all connected, and the overall appearance is somewhat rough.
Image /page/0/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for "Tran\$1". The logo is in black and white, with the text "Tran\$1" in a bold, sans-serif font. The "\$" symbol is used in place of the letter "s". There is a curved line extending from the bottom of the "1" and a registered trademark symbol next to the "1".
### Premarket Notification [510(K)] Summary (per 21 CFR 807.92)
**
12 December 2007
| Submitter: | Contact Person: |
|----------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| TranS1, Inc. | William Jackson |
| 411 Landmark Drive | Vice President, RA, CL, QA |
| Wilmington, NC 28412 | 910-332-1700 (phone) |
| | 910-233-7105 (fax) |
| Proprietary Name: | TranS1® AxiaLIF® Fixation System |
| Classification: | Spinal Intervertebral Body Fixation Orthosis<br>21 CFR 888.3060<br>Product Code: KWQ<br>Arthroscope<br>21 CFR 888.1100<br>Product Code: HRX |
Predicate Device:
TranS1® Axial Fixation System, K050965 and K040426
### Intended use:
The TranS1® AxiaLiF® System is indicated for patients requiring fusion to treat pseudoarthrosis, unsuccessful previous fusion, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis (Grade 1 or 2), or degenerative disc disease as defined as back pain of discogenic origin with degeneration of the disc confirmed by history and radiographic studies. The TranS1® AxiaLIF® is not intended to treat severe scoliosis, severe spondylolisthesis (Grades 3 and 4), tumor or trauma. Its usage is limited to anterior supplemental fixation of the lumbar spine at L5 - S1 in conjunction with legally marketed facet or pedicle screw systems.
The intended use of the instrumentation kit is for minimally invasive access to the anterior portion of the lower spine for assisting in the treatment of degeneration of the lumbar disc, performing lumbar discectomy or for assistance in the performance of L5 - S1 interbody fusion.
## Device Description
The TranS1® AxiaLIF® System is a multi-component system including titanium alloy implantable devices and instrumentation made of titanium alloy and stainless steel. This device includes instruments for creating a small pre-sacral axial track to the L5 -- S1 disc space. The track and the device's instruments are used for distracting the L5 - S1 vertebral bodies and inserting bone graft material into the disc space. The device also includes an anterior fixation rod that is implanted through the same track.
# Technological Characteristics and Substantial Equivalence
The technological characteristics of the TranS1® AxiaLIF® System have not changed.
f
00059
JAN 1 1 2008
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Image /page/1/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo consists of a stylized caduceus symbol, which is a staff with two snakes coiled around it, and the words "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" arranged in a circle around the symbol. The caduceus is depicted in black, and the text is also in black. The logo is simple and recognizable, representing the department's mission to protect the health of all Americans.
Public Health Service
JAN 1 1 2008
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
TranS1, Inc. % Mr. William Jackson Vice President, RA, CL, QA 411 Landmark Drive Wilmington, NC 28412
Re: K073514
Trade/Device Name: TranS1® AxiaLIF® System Regulation Number: 21 CFR 888.3060 Regulation Name: Spinal intervertebral body fixation orthosis Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: KWO, HRX Dated: December 12, 2007 Received: December 14, 2007
Dear Mr. Jackson:
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 (OS) 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 -- Mr. William Jackson
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 N. Wilkerson
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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## Statement of Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known):
Device Name: TranS1® AxiaLIF® Fixation System
Indications for Use:
The TranS1® AxiaLIF® System is indicated for patients requiring fusion to treat pseudoarthrosis, unsuccessful previous fusion, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis (Grade 1 or 2), or degenerative disc disease as defined as back pain of discogenic origin with degeneration of the disc confirmed by history and radiographic studies. The TranS1® AxiaLIF® is not intended to treat severe scoliosis, severe spondylolisthesis (Grades 3 and 4), tumor or trauma. Its usage is limited to anterior supplemental fixation of the lumbar spine at L5 - S1 in conjunction with legally marketed facet or pedicle screw systems.
The intended use of the TranS1 Trans-Sacral Spinal Access and Preparation Device is for minimally invasive access to the anterior portion of the lower spine for assisting in the treatment of degeneration of the lumbar disc, performing lumbar discectorny or for assistance in the performance of L5-S1 interbody fusion.
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)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Harbare Buem
(Division Sign-Off)
eral, Restorative. and Neurological Devices
**510(k) Number** K073514
Page 1 of 1
000055.
Special 510(k) AxiaLIF System
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.
