K090783 · Tuttnauer U.S.A Co, Ltd. · FLE · Aug 20, 2009 · General Hospital
Device Facts
Record ID
K090783
Device Name
TUTTNAUER ELARA-11 PRE-VACUUM TABLETOP AUTOCLAVE
Applicant
Tuttnauer U.S.A Co, Ltd.
Product Code
FLE · General Hospital
Decision Date
Aug 20, 2009
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 880.6880
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The ELARA-11" is a table-top autoclave designed for sterilizing medical and surgical goods, including both wrapped and unwrapped, solid, hollow, and porous products and goods defined as hollow A (e.g., dental hand pieces; suction pipes) in ophthalmic, dental, and medical clinics; in first aid rooms; and in small laboratories.
Device Story
Table-top steam sterilizer (autoclave) for medical/surgical instruments. Inputs: water (mineral-free/distilled) and medical goods. Operation: pre-vacuum air removal stage; steam sterilization; post-sterilization drying via heat, vacuum, and air pulses. Controlled by electronic panel with 7 programs (5 sterilization, 2 test). Used in clinics/labs by staff. Output: sterilized instruments. Benefits: effective sterilization of hollow/porous loads. Safety: automated door lock, safety shutoff.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Validation studies conducted in accordance with AAMI/ANSI ST55:2003. Testing confirmed device met all physical and microbiological performance requirements.
Technological Characteristics
Steam sterilizer; stainless steel construction; pressure vessel with steam jacket; vacuum and water pumps; heating elements. Electronic control system; automatic/configurable. Connectivity: printer output. Sterilization agent: steam. Dimensions: 28.5L chamber.
Indications for Use
Indicated for sterilization of medical and surgical goods, including wrapped/unwrapped solid, hollow (including hollow A), and porous products in clinical, laboratory, and first aid settings.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A steam sterilizer (autoclave) is a device that is intended for use by a health care provider to sterilize medical products by means of pressurized steam.
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### 510(k) Summary
| Submitter: | Tuttnauer USA Co. Ltd.<br>25 Power Drive<br>Hauppauge, NY 11788<br>Phone: (631) 737-4850<br>Fax: (631) 737-0720 | | | | | AUG 20 2009 |
|----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--|--|--|--|-------------|
| Contact Name: | Robert R. Basile, V.P. | | | | | |
| Date Prepared: | March 19, 2009 | | | | | |
| Common Name: | Electronic pre-vacuum autoclave, steam<br>sterilizer | | | | | |
| Trade Name: | Tuttnauer ELARA-11" Pre-vacuum Tabletop<br>Autoclave | | | | | |
| Classification Name: | Steam Sterilizer<br>Class II Device - 21 C.F.R. § 880.6880 | | | | | |
Substantial Equivalence:
The ELARA-11" is claimed to be substantially equivalent to the autoclaves cleared under K063711. Like these autoclaves, the ELARA-11" contains an electronic control panel that permits automatic usage, and it contains identical software to the autoclaves cleared under K063711. The ELARA-11" is a smaller models to which substantial equivalence is claimed (i.e., it is designed for a countertop). The nominal parameters (e.g., sterilization temperature and time; dry time; and maximum/average cycle times) are also different for the ELARA-11" than for the devices under K063711; however, all devices use steam as the sterilization agent.
#### General Description:
The automated Tuttnauer ELARA-11" is a table-top steam sterilizer (i.e., autoclave) designed for sterilizing medical and surgical goods, including both wrapped and unwrapped, solid, hollow, and porous products and goods defined as hollow A (e.g., dental hand pieces; suction pipes) in ophthalmic, dental, and medical clinics; in first aid rooms; and in small laboratories. This device is a pre-vacuum and post-vacuum sterilizer that has an air removal stage (i.e., pre-vacuum) before the start of the sterilization stage, as well as a post-sterilization drying stage that is based upon the combined operation of heat plus vacuum with air inlet pulses. The sterilizing agent is steam that is electrically-generated from either mineral-free or distilled water that is added to the built-in reservoir.
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K090783
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Only United States Food and Drug Administration cleared accessories such as sterilization wraps, sterilization pouches, chemical indicators, biological indicators, and sterilization cassettes should be used with this autoclave. Sterilization programs 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are not considered by the Food and Drug Administration to be standard sterilization cycles. There are currently no stcrilization wraps, sterilization pouches, chemical indicators, biological indicators, or sterilization cassettes cleared for use by the Food and Drug Administration for the specific sterilization parameters of sterilizer programs 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5.
### Design and Matcrials:
The ELARA-11" is a steam sterilizer composed of a pressure vessel with steam jacket, heating elements, a clean water reservoir, a waste water reservoir, a vacuum pump, and a water pump. The device has several safety features, including an automated safety door with a doublesafety locking mechanism and an automatic safety shutoff. The front panel of the device consists of a display screen, a keypad, and a printer. The ELARA-11" electronic control system is automatic, fully-configurable, and has a total of seven (7) programs: five (5) sterilization programs and two (2) test programs (Bowie & Dick test program with fixed (non-adjustable) parameters, and the VacTest program). The components are made of varying grades of stainless steel.
### Comparison to Cleared Devices:
Although the ELARA-11" and the six (6) models cleared under K063711 differ in device size and program cycles, they all operate with an electronic control panel that permits automated usage, and all models utilize the same operational software. Furthermore, they all use steam as the sterilization agent.
The ELARA-11" is a table-top autoclave designed for sterilizing medical Indications for Use: and surgical goods, including both wrapped and unwrapped, solid, hollow, and porous products and goods defined as hollow A (e.g., dental hand pieces; suction pipes) in ophthalmic, dental, and medical clinics; in first aid rooms; and in small laboratories.
Key program features, including cycle times, temperature, maximum load sizes, and recommended use of each program are listed in the following chart:
| Program | Recommended<br>Use | Maximum<br>Load<br>(kg/lbs) | Sterilization<br>Temperature<br>(°C/°F) | Sterilization<br>Time<br>(minutes) | Dry<br>Time | Max.<br>Cycle<br>Time | Ave.<br>Cycle<br>Time |
|---------------|--------------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------------------|------------------------------------|-------------|-----------------------|-----------------------|
| 1 (Flash 134) | unwrapped<br>instruments | solid -<br>8/17.6 | 134/273 | 4 | 1 | 25 | 15 |
| 2 (WDry 134) | double-<br>wrapped | solid -<br>8/17.6 | 134/273 | 4 | 20 | 50 | 42 |
ELARA-11" (sterilization chamber volume = 28.5 liters (7.5 gal))
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| K090783 |
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| p. 2 of 3 |
| | instruments,<br>wrapped<br>porous and<br>hollow A loads | porous -<br>2/4.4 | | | | | |
|--------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|---------|-----|----|----|----|
| 3 (NoDry 121) | unwrapped<br>instruments | solid -<br>8/17.6 | 121/250 | 20 | -- | 40 | 35 |
| 4 (WDry 121) | double-<br>wrapped<br>instruments,<br>wrapped<br>porous and<br>hollow A loads | solid -<br>8/17.6 | 121/250 | 20 | 20 | 70 | 60 |
| 5 (Delicate<br>121) | delicate<br>instruments<br>(porous<br>wrapped and<br>hollow A) | solid -<br>8/17.6 | 121/250 | 20 | -- | 55 | 45 |
| Test 1 (Bowie<br>& Dick) | -- | -- | 134 C | 3.5 | 1 | 30 | 25 |
| Test 2<br>(VacTest) | Cycle time - 20 min | | | | | | |
### Technology:
The ELARA-11" is a steam sterilizer composed of a pressure vessel with steam jacket, heating elements, a clean water reservoir, a waste water reservoir, a vacuum pump, and a water pump. It contains an electronic control system that makes the device automatic and fullyconfigurable.
### Non-Clinical Testing:
Tuttnauer conducted validation studies in accordance with AAMI/ANSI ST55:2003. Testing shows that the ELARA-11" meets all aspects of the standard, including physical and microbiological performance requirements.
### Conclusion:
For all of the foregoing reasons, Tuttnauer believes that the ELARA-11" autoclave model described in this 510(k) notification may be safely marketed in the United States.
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Image /page/3/Picture/1 description: The image shows the seal of the Department of Health & Human Services - USA. The seal is circular, with the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" arranged around the perimeter. In the center of the seal is a stylized symbol that resembles a caduceus, a traditional symbol of medicine, with three lines representing snakes intertwined around a staff.
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Mail Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
# AUG 9 0 2009
Tuttnauer USA Company, Limited C/O Mr. Theodore Sullivan Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney, LLP 1700 K Street, N.W., Suite 300 Washington, District of Columbia 20006
Re: K090783
Trade/Device Name: Tuttnauer ELARA-11" Pre-Vacuum Tabletop Autoclave Regulation Number: 21 CFR 880.6880 Regulation Name: Steam Sterilizer Regulatory Class: II Product Code: FLE Dated: July 24, 2009 Received: July 28, 2009
Dear Mr. Sullivan:
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.
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### Page 2- Mr. Sullivan
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.
If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801), please go to
http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/CDRH/CDRHOffices/ucm115809.htm 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,
Anthony D. Anzelone
Susan Runner, D.D.S., M.A. Acting Division Director Division of Anesthesiology, General Hospital, Infection Control and Dental Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
### Enclosure
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### Indications for Use
510(k) Number:
Device Name : Tuttnauer ELARA-11" Pre-vacuum Tabletop Autoclave
Indications for Use: The ELARA-11" is a table-top autoclave designed for sterilizing medical and surgical goods, including both wrapped and unwrapped, solid, hollow, and porous products and goods defined as hollow A (e.g., dental hand pieces; suction pipes) in ophthalmic, dental, and medical clinics; in first aid rooms; and in small laboratories.
Key program features, including cycle times, temperature, maximum load sizes, and recommended use of each program are listed in the following chart:
| Program | Recommended<br>Use | Maximum<br>Load<br>(kg/lbs) | Sterilization<br>Temperature<br>(°C/°F) | Sterilization<br>Time<br>(minutes) | Dry<br>Time | Max.<br>Cycle<br>Time | Ave.<br>Cycle<br>Time |
|--------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|------------------------------------|-------------|-----------------------|-----------------------|
| 1 (Flash 134) | unwrapped<br>instruments | solid -<br>8/17.6 | 134/273 | 4 | 1 | 25 | 15 |
| 2 (WDry 134) | double-<br>wrapped<br>instruments,<br>wrapped<br>porous and<br>hollow A loads | solid -<br>8/17.6<br>porous -<br>2/4.4 | 134/273 | 4 | 20 | 50 | 42 |
| 3 (NoDry 121) | unwrapped<br>instruments | solid -<br>8/17.6 | 121/250 | 20 | -- | 40 | 35 |
| 4 (WDry 121) | double-<br>wrapped<br>instruments,<br>wrapped<br>porous and<br>hollow A loads | solid -<br>8/17.6<br>porous -<br>2/4.4 | 121/250 | 20 | 20 | 70 | 60 |
| 5 (Delicate<br>121) | delicate<br>instruments<br>(porous<br>wrapped and<br>hollow A) | solid -<br>8/17.6 | 121/250 | 20 | -- | 55 | 45 |
| Test 1 (Bowie<br>& Dick) | | -- | 134 C | 3.5 | 1 | 30 | 25 |
| Test 2<br>(VacTest) | Cycle time - 20 min | | | | | | |
1
### ELARA-11"
(sterilization chamber volume = 28.5 liters (7.5 gal))
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Prescription Use (21 C.F.R. 801 Subpart D)
AND/OR
Over-the-Counter Use X (21 C.F.R. 801 Subpart C)
## (PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE – CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Shule T. Murphy MD
(Division Sign-Off) Division of Anesthesiology, General Hospital Infection Control, Dental Devices
510(k) Number: K040783
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.