SMITH & NEPHEW, INC. VLP FOOT PLATING, SCREW SYSTEM AND ACCESSORIES
K090675 · Smith & Nephew, Inc. · HRS · Jun 4, 2009 · Orthopedic
Device Facts
Record ID
K090675
Device Name
SMITH & NEPHEW, INC. VLP FOOT PLATING, SCREW SYSTEM AND ACCESSORIES
Applicant
Smith & Nephew, Inc.
Product Code
HRS · Orthopedic
Decision Date
Jun 4, 2009
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 888.3030
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The Smith & Nephew VLP FOOT Plating System can be used in adolescent (12-18 years) and transitional adolescent (18-21 years) subpopulations and adults, as well as patients with osteopenic bone. The VLP FOOT Plating System is indicated for the treatment of fracture fixation, reconstruction or arthrodeses of small bones, including those in the forefoot, midfoot. The Smith & Nephew 2.5mm, 3.0mm Cannulated and 3.0mm Headless Compression Screws are intended for fixation of intraarticular and extra-articular fractures and non-unions of small bones and small bone fragments; arthrodeses of small joints; bunionectomies and osteotomies; scaphoid and other carpal bones, metacarpals, tarsals, metatarsals, patella, ulnar styloid, capitellum, radial head and radial styloid. The Smith & Nephew 2.0mm QFX Screw is indicated for osteotomies of the lesser metatarsals, such as Weil osteotomies, Osteotomies, fusions and fractures of the phalanges, metacarpals and carpals of the hand. Pins and wires are indicated for pelvic, small and long bone fracture fixation.
Device Story
System of metallic bone fixation components including plates, cannulated screws, headless cannulated screws, QFX screws, K-wires, cortex screws, and locking cortex screws. Used by surgeons in clinical settings for orthopedic procedures involving small bone fractures, non-unions, osteotomies, and arthrodeses. Components provide mechanical stabilization of bone fragments to facilitate healing. Surgeon selects appropriate hardware based on fracture site and bone quality; implants are surgically placed to maintain alignment during the bone healing process. Benefits include restoration of skeletal stability and function.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. No clinical data provided. Mechanical testing indicates components are equivalent to predicate devices and capable of withstanding expected in vivo loading.
Technological Characteristics
Metallic bone fixation system consisting of plates, screws, and K-wires. Components are designed for small bone fixation. Materials are consistent with predicate metallic bone fixation appliances. No specific ASTM standards or software/algorithm components described.
Indications for Use
Indicated for fracture fixation, reconstruction, or arthrodeses of small bones (forefoot, midfoot, hindfoot, hand, carpal, metacarpal, phalanges, patella, radial/ulnar styloid, capitellum, radial head). Applicable to adolescents (12-21 years), adults, and patients with osteopenic bone.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
Single/multiple component metallic bone fixation appliances and accessories are devices intended to be implanted consisting of one or more metallic components and their metallic fasteners. The devices contain a plate, a nail/plate combination, or a blade/plate combination that are made of alloys, such as cobalt-chromium-molybdenum, stainless steel, and titanium, that are intended to be held in position with fasteners, such as screws and nails, or bolts, nuts, and washers. These devices are used for fixation of fractures of the proximal or distal end of long bones, such as intracapsular, intertrochanteric, intercervical, supracondylar, or condylar fractures of the femur; for fusion of a joint; or for surgical procedures that involve cutting a bone. The devices may be implanted or attached through the skin so that a pulling force (traction) may be applied to the skeletal system.
Predicate Devices
Smith & Nephew 6.5mm and 8.0mm Cannulated Screws (K060736)
PERI-LOC Periarticular Locked Plating System VLP Plates/Screws (K071563)
Smith & Nephew Locking Bone Plate System Peri-articular Plates (K033669)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
{0}------------------------------------------------
K090675 '/2
Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Smith & Nephew, Inc. VLP FOOT Plating, Screw System and Accessories
JUN - 4 2009
Date of Summary: March 11, 2009
Contact Person and Address Jahanvi Agnihotri Regulatory Affairs Specialist Smith & Nephew, Inc. Orthopaedic Division 1450 East Brooks Road Memphis, Tennessee 38116 1 (901) 399-6130
Name of Device: Smith & Nephew, Inc. VLP FOOT Plating, Screw System and Accessories Common Name: Screws, Plates, and K-Wires
Device Classification Name and Reference: 21 CFR 888.3040 Smooth or threaded metallic bone fixation fastener – Class II; 21 CFR 888.3030 Single/multiple component metallic bone fixation appliances and accessories – Class II Panel Code: Orthopaedics/87 HWC, HRS, HTY
### Device Description
Subject of this Traditional 510|k) premarket notification is Smith & Nephew, Inc. VLP FOOT Plating, Screw System and Accessories. The system is comprised of a variety of Cannulated Screws, Headless Cannulated Screws, QFX Screws, K-Wires, Cortex Screws, Locking Cortex Screws, Fully and Partially Threaded Osteopenia Screws, Locking Osteopenia Screws and a variety of VLP FOOT plates.
### Mechanical Testing Data
A review of the mechanical testing data indicates that the implant components of the VLP FOOT Plating, Screws and Accessories are equivalent to devices currently used clinically and are capable of withstanding expected in vivo loading without failure.
#### Intended Use
The Smith & Nephew VLP FOOT Plating System can be used in addlescent (12-18 years) and transitional adolescent 118-21 years) subpopulations and adults, as well as patients with osteopenic bone. The VLP FOOT Plating System is indicated for the treatment of fracture fixation, reconstruction or arthrodeses of small bones, including those in the forefoot, midfoot and hindfoot.
The Smith & Nephew 2.5mm, 3.0mm Cannulated and 3.0mm Headless Compression Screws are intended for fixation of intraarticular and extra-articular fractures and non-unions of small bone fragments; arthrodeses of small joints; bunionectomies; scaphoid and other carpal bones, metacarpals, farsals, metatarsals, patella, ulnar styloid, capitellum, radial head and radial styloid.
The Smilh & Nephew 2.0mm QFX Screw is indicated for osteotomies of the lesser metatarsals, such as Weil osteolomies. Osteolomies, fusions and fractures of the phalanges, metacarpals and carpats of the hand. Pins and wires are indicated for pelvic, small and long bone fracture fixation.
### Substantial Equivalence Information
The substantial equivalence of the VLP FOOT Plating, Screws System and Accessories is based on its sinilarities in indications for use, design features, operational principles, and material composition to the predicate devices listed in the table below.
{1}------------------------------------------------
. .
.
# Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Schimary of Safety of Safety of Plating, Screw System and Accessories
።
| Description | 510(k) | Clearance Date |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|----------------|
| Smith & Nephew 6.5mm and 8.0mm Cannulated<br>Screws | K060736 | 4/18/06 |
| Synthes 2..4mm Cannulated Screw | K012945 | 12/03/2001 |
| Synthes 3.0mm Cannulated Screw | K962823 | 10/01/96 |
| Synthes 3.0mm Headless Compression Screw | K050636 | 4/21/05 |
| DePuy FRS Screw | K062352 | 10/19/2006 |
| Smith & Nephew K-Wires | Pre-amendment device | |
| PERI-LOC Periarticular Locked Plating System VLP<br>Plates/Screws | K071563 | 8/8/2007 |
| Smith & Nephew Locking Bone Plate System Peri-<br>articular Plates | K033669 | 12/10/2003 |
:
consister of the will and and on the
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
.
:
·
{2}------------------------------------------------
## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Image /page/2/Picture/1 description: The image shows the seal of the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) of the United States of America. The seal is circular and contains the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES · USA" around the perimeter. Inside the circle is an abstract symbol that resembles an eagle or bird-like figure.
#### Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
Smith & Nephew, Inc. % Ms. Jahanvi Agnihotri 1450 East Brooks Road Memphis, Tennessee 38116
JUN - 4 2009
Re: K090675
Trade/Device Name: Smith & Nephew VLP FOOT Plating, Screw System and Accessories
Regulation Number: 21 CFR 888.3030
Regulation Name: Single/multiple component metallic bone fixation appliances and
accessories Regulatory Class: II Product Code: HRS, HWC, HTY Dated: May 13. 2009 Received: May 14, 2009
Dear Ms. Agnihotri:
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 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); medical device reporting (reporting of medical device-related adverse events) (21 CFR 803); 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.
{3}------------------------------------------------
# Page 2 - Ms. Jahanvi Agnihotri
If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801), please go to http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/comp/ for the Center for Devices and Radiological Health's (CDRH's) Office of Compliance. Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21CFR Part 807.97). For questions regarding the reporting of adverse events under the MDR regulation (21 CFR Part 803), please go to http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/mdr/ for the CDRH's Office of Surveillance and Biometrics/Division of Postmarket Surveillance.
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,
Barbara Buettner
Mark N. Melkerson Director Division of General, Restorative and Neurological Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{4}------------------------------------------------
### Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known):K090675
Device Name: Smith & Nephew, Inc. VLP FOOT Plating, Screw System and Accessories Indications for Use:
The VLP FOOT Plating, Screw System and Accessories is indicated for the following:
The Smith & Nephew VLP FOOT Plating System can be used in adolescent (12-18 years) and transitional adolescent (18-21 years) subpopulations and adults, as well as patients with osteopenic bone. The VLP FOOT Plating System is indicated for the treatment of fracture fixation, reconstruction or arthrodeses of small bones, including those in the forefoot, midfoot. The Smith & Nephew 2.5mm, 3.0mm Cannulated and 3.0mm Headless Compression Screws are intended for fixation of intraarticular and extra-articular fractures and non-unions of small bones and small bone fragments; arthrodeses of small joints; bunionectomies and osteotomies; scaphoid and other carpal bones, metacarpals, tarsals, metatarsals, patella, ulnar styloid, capitellum, radial head and radial styloid.
The Smith & Nephew 2.0mm QFX Screw is indicated for osteotomies of the lesser metatarsals, such as Weil osteotomies, Osteotomies, fusions and fractures of the phalanges, metacarpals and carpals of the hand.
Pins and wires are indicated for pelvic, small and long bone fracture fixation.
Prescription Use × (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 807 Subpart Cl
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
AND/OR
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of Surgical, Orthopedic,
and Restorative Devices
Page 1 of 1.
510(k) Number K090675
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.
