VERTEX RECONSTRUCTION SYSTEM, VERTEX SELECT RECONSTRUCTION SYSTEM
Applicant
Medtronic Sofamor Danek
Product Code
KWP · Orthopedic
Decision Date
Apr 17, 2009
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Special
Regulation
21 CFR 888.3050
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
When intended as an adjunct to fusion of the occipitocervical spine, cervical spine, and the thoracic spine, (Occiput-T3), the VERTEX® Reconstruction System is indicated for skeletally mature patients using allograft and/or autograft for the following: DDD (neck pain of discogenic origin with degeneration of the disc confirmed by history and radiographic studies), spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, fracture, dislocation, failed previous fusion and/or tumors. The occipitocervical plates, rods, occipital screws, and hooks are intended to provide stabilization to promote fusion following reduction of fracture/dislocation or trauma in the occipitocervical junction and the cervical spine. When used to treat these occipitocervical and cervical conditions, these screws are limited to occipital fixation only. The screws are not intended to be placed in the cervical spine. Occipitocervical constructs require bilateral fixation to C2 and below. Note: Segmental fixation is recommended for these constructs. The hooks and rods are also intended to provide stabilization to promote fusion following reduction of fracture/dislocation or trauma in the cervical/upper thoracic (C1-T3) spine. The use of multi-axial screws is limited to placement in T1-T3. The screws are not intended to be placed in the cervical spine. Titanium ATLAS® Cable System to be used with the VERTEX Reconstruction System allows for cable attachment to the posterior cervical or thoracic spine. In order to achieve additional levels of fixation, the VERTEX® Reconstruction System may be connected to the CD HORIZON® Spinal System rods with the VERTEX® rod connectors.
Device Story
Posterior spinal fixation system; consists of plates, rods, hooks, screws, and multi-axial screws; provides stabilization to promote fusion in occipitocervical, cervical, and thoracic spine (Occiput-T3). Used by surgeons in clinical/OR settings. Components are tailor-made for individual patient anatomy; rigidly locked into configurations. Includes Nitinol retaining rings and silicone elastomeric stakes. May be used with ATLAS® cable system or connected to CD HORIZON® Spinal System for additional fixation levels. Benefits patient by providing structural stabilization during bone fusion process. Mechanical testing confirms equivalence to predicate systems.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. No clinical data presented.
Technological Characteristics
Materials: medical grade titanium, titanium alloy, cobalt chromium, Nitinol (NiTi) shape memory alloy, and silicone adhesive. Components: plates, rods, hooks, screws, multi-axial screws, and connectors. System is a posterior spinal interlaminal fixation orthosis. Non-software device.
Indications for Use
Indicated for skeletally mature patients requiring fusion of the occipitocervical, cervical, and thoracic spine (Occiput-T3) for DDD, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, fracture, dislocation, failed fusion, or tumors. Contraindicated for use of multi-axial screws in the cervical spine; occipital screws limited to occipital fixation.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A spinal interlaminal fixation orthosis is a device intended to be implanted made of an alloy, such as stainless steel, that consists of various hooks and a posteriorly placed compression or distraction rod. The device is implanted, usually across three adjacent vertebrae, to straighten and immobilize the spine to allow bone grafts to unite and fuse the vertebrae together. The device is used primarily in the treatment of scoliosis (a lateral curvature of the spine), but it also may be used in the treatment of fracture or dislocation of the spine, grades 3 and 4 of spondylolisthesis (a dislocation of the spinal column), and lower back syndrome.
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Image /page/0/Picture/0 description: The image contains a sequence of handwritten digits and a letter. The sequence starts with the letter 'K', followed by the numbers '090714'. The numbers are written in a slightly irregular style, but they are still legible.
# VERTEX® Reconstruction System 510(k) Summary
## March 2009
Sr. Regulatory Affairs Specialist
| I. Company: | Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA<br>1800 Pyramid Place<br>Memphis, Tennessee 38132<br>Telephone: (901) 396-3133<br>Fax: (901) 346-9738 |
|-------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Contact: | Melisa Lansky, M.B.A. |
- II. Proposed Proprietary Trade Name: VERTEX® Reconstruction System
- III. Classification Name(s): Spinal Interlaminal Fixation Orthosis; Class: II; Product Code(s): K WP and Regulation No.: 888.3050
- IV. Description: The VERTEX® Reconstruction System is a posterior system, which consists of a variety of shapes and sizes of plates, rods, hooks, screws, multi-axial screws, and connecting components, which can be rigidly locked to the rod in a variety of configurations, with each construct being tailor-made for the individual case. Titanium ATLAS® cable may be used with this system at the surgeon's discretion. See the package inserts of both of those systems for labeling limitations.
The VERTEX® Reconstruction System is fabricated from medical grade titanium, medical grade titanium alloy, and medical grade cobalt chromium. Medical grade titanium, medical grade titanium alloy, and/or medical grade cobalt chromium may be used together. Never use titanium alloy, and or/cobalt chromium with stainless steel in the same construct. The VERTEX® Reconstruction System includes a retaining ring for the multi-axial screw made of Shape Memory Alloy (Nitinol - NiTi). Shape Memory Alloy is compatible with titanium, titanium alloy, and cobalt chromium implants only. Some components contain elastomeric stakes made of silicone adhesive commonly used in implantable medical devices. Do not use with stainless steel.
To achieve best results, do not use any of the VERTEX Reconstruction System implant components with components from any other system or manufacturer unless specifically labeled to do so in this or another MEDTRONIC document. As with all orthopedic and neurosurgical. implants, none of the VERTEX Reconstruction System components should ever be reused under any circumstances.
#### V. Indications for Use:
When intended as an adjunct to fusion of the occipitocervical spine, cervical spine, and the thoracic spine, (Occiput-T3), the VERTEX® Reconstruction System is indicated for skeletally mature patients using allograft and/or autograft for the following:
DDD (neck pain of discogenic origin with degeneration of the disc confirmed by history and radiographic studies), spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, fracture, dislocation, failed previous fusion and/or tumors.
page 1 of 2
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K090714
DDD (neck pain of discogenic origin with degeneration of the disc confirmed by history and radiographic studies), spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, fracture, dislocation, failed previous fusion and/or tumors.
Occipitocervical Components: Plate Rod/Plates/Rods/Occipital Screws/Hooks The occipitocervical plates, rods, occipital screws, and hooks are intended to provide stabilization to promote fusion following reduction of fracture/dislocation or trauma in the occipitocervical junction and the cervical spine. When used to treat these occipitocervical and cervical conditions, these screws are limited to occipital fixation only. The screws are not intended to be placed in the cervical spine.
Occipitocervical constructs require bilateral fixation to C2 and below. Note: Segmental fixation is recommended for these constructs.
## Hooks and Rods
The hooks and rods are also intended to provide stabilization to promote fusion following reduction of fracture/dislocation or trauma in the cervical/upper thoracic (C1-T3) spine.
## Multi-axial Screws/Connectors
The use of multi-axial screws is limited to placement in T1-T3. The screws are not intended to be placed in the cervical spine.
Titanium ATLAS® Cable System to be used with the VERTEX Reconstruction System allows for cable attachment to the posterior cervical or thoracic spine.
In order to achieve additional levels of fixation, the VERTEX® Reconstruction System may be connected to the CD HORIZON® Spinal System rods with the VERTEX® rod connectors. Refer to the CD HORIZON® Spinal System package insert for a list of the CD HORIZON® Spinal System indications of use.
- VI. Substantial Equivalence: Documentation was provided demonstrating that the VERTEX® Reconstruction System is substantially equivalent to other commercially available posterior fixation systems and other pre-enactment devices including the VERTEX® Reconstruction System in K003780 (S.E. 9/28/01), K042789 (S.E. 12/21/04), K052376 (S.E. 9/26/05), and K053483 (S.E. 1/15/06) and in CD HORIZON® Spinal System K014296 (S.E. 12/10/02). The results of mechanical testing performed for the subject VERTEX® Reconstruction System components were equivalent to the testing performed for the predicate VERTEX® Reconstruction System components.
C 2009 Medtronic Sofamor Danek
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## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Image /page/2/Picture/1 description: The image shows a circular logo for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The logo features the department's name encircling an emblem. The emblem is a stylized representation of an eagle or bird-like figure, with three curved lines forming its body and wings.
Food and Drug Administration 9200 Corporate Boulevard Rockville MD 20850
Medtronic Sofamor Danek, USA % Ms. Melisa Lanksy, M.B.A Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist 1800 Pyramid Place Memphis, Tennessee 38132
APR 1 7 2009
Re: K090714
Trade/Device Name: VERTEX® Reconstruction System Regulation Number: 21 CFR 888.3050 Regulation Name: Spinal interlaminal fixation orthosis Regulatory Class: II Product Code: KWP Dated: March 17, 2009 Received: March 18, 2009
Dear Ms. Lanksy:
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.
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.
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Page 2- Ms. Melisa Lanksy, M.B.A
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 the reporting of adverse events under the MDR regulation (21 CFR Part 803), please contact the CDRH/Office of Surveillance and Biometrics/Division of Postmarket Surveillance at 240-276-3464. For more information regarding the reporting of adverse events, please go to http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/mdr/.
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,
Barbare buend
Mark N. Melke Director Division of General, Restorative, and Neurological Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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# 2090714
510(k) Number (if known):
Device Name: VERTEX® Reconstruction System
### Indications for Use:
When intended as an adjunct to fusion of the occipitocervical spine, and the thoracic spine, (Occiput-T3), the VERTEX® Reconstruction System is indicated for skeletally mature patients using allograft and/or autograft for the following:
DDD (neck pain of discogenic origin with degeneration of the disc confirmed by history and radiographic studies), spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, fracture, dislocation, failed previous fusion and/or tumors.
## Occipitocervical Components: Plate Rod/Plates/Rods/Occipital Screws/Hooks
The occipitocervical plate rods, plates, rods, occipital screws, and hooks are intended to provide stabilization to promote fusion following reduction of fracture/dislocation or trauma in the occipitocervical junction and the cervical spine. When used to treat these occipitocervical and cervical conditions, these screws are limited to occipital fixation only. The screws are not intended to be placed in the cervical spine.
Occipitocervical constructs require bilateral fixation to C2 and below. Note: Segmental fixation is recommended for these constructs.
#### Hooks and Rods
The hooks and rods are also intended to provide stabilization to promote fusion following reduction of fracture/dislocation or trauma in the cervical/upper thoracic (C1-T3) spine.
### Multi-axial Screws/Connectors
The use of multi-axial screws are limited to placement in T1-T3. The screws are not intended to be placed in the cervical spine.
Titanium ATLAS® Cable System to be used with the VERTEX Reconstruction System allows for cable attachment to the posterior cervical or thoracic spine.
In order to achieve additional levels of fixation, the VERTEX® Reconstruction System may be connected to the CD HORIZON® Spinal System rods with the VERTEX® rod connectors. Refer to the CD HORIZON® Spinal System package insert for a list of the CD HORIZON® Spinal System indications of use.
Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D) AND/OR
Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 807 Subpart C)
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
baularo Varehuntofa, mkn
(Division Sign-On)
Division of General, Restorative,
and Neurological Devices
**510(k) Number**
page 1 of 1 K090714
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.
