K110268 · Covidien Lp, Formerly Know AS Valleylab, A Divison · GEI · May 31, 2011 · General, Plastic Surgery
Device Facts
Record ID
K110268
Device Name
FORCETRIAD ELECTROSURGICAL GENERATOR
Applicant
Covidien Lp, Formerly Know AS Valleylab, A Divison
Product Code
GEI · General, Plastic Surgery
Decision Date
May 31, 2011
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 878.4400
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The ForceTriad is a full-featured electrosurgical generator intended for open and laparoscopic surgical procedures where the surgeon requires electrosurgical cutting (resecting, dividing, or separating), coagulation (hemostasis, coagulating, or desiccating), or vessel sealing (sealing or fusing). The generator is intended for use in general, laparoscopic, and gynecologic surgical procedures where vessel sealing (ligation of vessels, pulmonary vasculature, or lymph vessels), is desired. The system creates a vessel ligation (seal) by the application of bipolar electrosurgical RF energy (coaqulation) to vessels interposed between the jaws of the device. The generator can also be used with standard bipolar devices where bipolar cutting or coagulation is desired or with compatible resectoscopes for endoscopically controlled removal (resection) or coagulation of tissue using 0.9% NaCl solution (saline) as the irrigation medium. The indications for use include general (including urologic, thoracic, plastic, and reconstructive), laparoscopic, and gynecological procedures where electrosurgical cutting and coagulation of tissue, and sealing (fusion) of vessels, including pulmonary vessels, and tissue bundles is performed, including such procedures as bowel resections, hysterectomies (both vaginal and abdominal), laparoscopic choles, laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomies, gall bladder procedures, Nissen fundoplication, adhesiolysis, oophorectorny, etc. The devices can be used on vessels (arteries, veins, pulmonary arteries, pulmonary veins, lymph) up to 7mm and bundles as large as will fit in the jaws of the instruments. The LigaSure tissue fusion function has not been shown to be effective for tubal sterilization or tubal coaqulation for sterilization procedures. Do not use this function for these procedures.
Device Story
ForceTriad Electrosurgical Generator provides monopolar, bipolar, and LigaSure vessel sealing RF energy for open and laparoscopic surgery. Device uses microcontroller-based closed-loop control; Instant Response technology measures tissue impedance to adjust power output. For vessel sealing, system monitors tissue properties to fuse collagen/elastin in vessels up to 7mm. New bipolar resection mode enables endoscopically controlled tissue removal using 0.9% NaCl saline irrigation. Operated by surgeons in OR settings. Output displayed via GUI; provides feedback on seal completion. Benefits include precise hemostasis and tissue resection. Software update (v3.30+) enables third-party resectoscope compatibility via adaptor cables and specific footswitch.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data provided. Substantial equivalence supported by bench testing and software validation. Bench testing included porcine models (prostate simulation and kidney hemostasis) and safety standard compliance testing. All results met acceptance criteria.
Technological Characteristics
Microcontroller-based electrosurgical generator; RF energy output. Features Instant Response impedance-sensing technology. Supports monopolar, bipolar, and LigaSure modes. Bipolar resection mode supports saline irrigation. Connectivity via LigaSure 2 port for adaptor cables. Software version 3.30+; GUI updated for resection modes. Power output up to 375 Watts for bipolar modes.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients undergoing open, laparoscopic, or gynecologic surgical procedures requiring electrosurgical cutting, coagulation, or vessel sealing. Applicable to general, urologic, thoracic, plastic, and reconstructive surgeries. Contraindicated for tubal sterilization or tubal coagulation procedures using the LigaSure function.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An electrosurgical cutting and coagulation device and accessories is a device intended to remove tissue and control bleeding by use of high-frequency electrical current.
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K110268
MAY 3 1 2011
#### Submitter Information: 1.1
Covidien, formerly Valleylab, a division of Tyco Healthcare Group LP 5920 Longbow Drive Boulder, CO 80301 Contact: Donald Henton Regulatory Affairs Manager Phone: 303-530-6451 Fax: 303-516-8307 Email: donald.henton@Covidien.com
#### 1.2 Name of Device
Trade name: ForceTriad™ Electrosurgical Generator
Common/Classification name: Electrosurgical cutting and coagulation device and accessories (21 CFR 878.4400)
Product Code: GEI
Additional Classification name: Endoscopic electrosurgical unit and accessories. (21 CFR 876.4300)
Subsequent Product Code: KNS
#### 1.3 Predicate Devices
This version of the ForceTriad™ Electrosurgical Generator is substantially equivalent to the ForceTriad™ Electrosurgical Generators cleared under K051644 and K070162. The purpose of this submission is to notify FDA of the software updates to the ForceTriad™ Electrosurgical Generator that activates a bipolar resection feature. This mode is substantially equivalent to the resectoscope use feature on the ERBE™ VIO 300 D generator (K060484, including accessories), the Karl Storz Endocopy Autocon II 400 Electrosurgical Generator (K062464), and the Gyrus ACMI PlasmaKinetic™ SuperPulse Generator (K100816). This feature is compatible with the Karl Storz (KSEA) Bipolar Electrotome resectoscope (K061541) and the newly designed adaptor cable (with predicate cables from Sutter Electrosurgical Cables (K073450)) that connects the ForceTriad™ Electrosurgical Generator to the Karl Storz bipolar resectoscope.
The intended use for the ForceTriad Electrosurgical Generator remains the same as the previous ForceTriad generators. The change to the indications for use includes definitions for "cut" and "coagulating" that are recognized as ways to further describe and clarify the meaning of "cut (resecting, dividing, or separating)" and "coagulating (hemostasis, coagulating, desiccating, or ablating)." Additionally, the proposed indications for use statement includes the clause from the Wolf resectoscope predicate (K062720) "for endoscopically controlled removal of tissue using 0.9% NaCl solution (saline) as the irrigation medium."
#### Device Description 1.4
The ForceTriad™ Electrosurgical Generator is a full-featured electrosurgical generator with monopolar, bipolar, and LigaSure™ vessel sealing output modes. TThe generator is an electrically isolated, microcontroller-based device, incorporating closed-loop control for all output modes implemented in the microcontroller firmware. The generator incorporates Instant
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Response™ technology to constantly measure the electrical impedance of the tissue and instantaneously adjust the generator output to maintain the desired power.
The generator is used with a selection of electrosurgical instruments designed for use with the ForceTriad and the LigaSure Vessel Sealing generator. All of the LigaSure instruments are capable of sealing vessels up to, and including, 7mm, and tissue bundles as large as can fit in the jaws of each instrument. When a LigaSure instrument is applied to a vessel or tissue bundle and RF energy is applied, the collagen and elastin in the tissues are reformed by heat and pressure to fuse vessel walls, thereby forming a permanent seal. The microprocessor in the generator monitors the tissue properties, stops the application of energy, and allows a brief period of cooling before indicating that the seal cycle is complete.
No changes are being made to the design, operation, or intended use of any of the current system except the software modifications to create the Bipolar Resection modes and to allow the ForceTriad to output system data to a computer. The subject of this 510(k) notification is in regards to the addition of specific definitions for "cut" and "coagulating" and the addition to the indications statement of a bipolar resection function for use with resectoscopes "for endoscopically controlled removal of tissue using 0.9% NaCl solution (saline) as the irrigation medium" and the hardware and software associated with the activation of this feature.
#### 1.5 Intended Use
The ForceTriad is a full-featured electrosurgical generator intended for open and laparoscopic surgical procedures where the surgeon requires electrosurgical cutting (resecting, dividing, or separating), coagulation (hemostasis, coagulating, or desiccating), or vessel sealing (sealing or fusing). The generator is intended for use in general, laparoscopic, and gynecologic surgical procedures where vessel sealing (ligation of vessels, pulmonary vasculature, or lymph vessels), is desired. The system creates a vessel ligation (seal) by the application of bipolar electrosurgical RF energy (coaqulation) to vessels interposed between the jaws of the device. The generator can also be used with standard bipolar devices where bipolar cutting or coagulation is desired or with compatible resectoscopes for endoscopically controlled removal (resection) or coagulation of tissue using 0.9% NaCl solution (saline) as the irrigation medium.
The indications for use include general (including urologic, thoracic, plastic, and reconstructive), laparoscopic, and gynecological procedures where electrosurgical cutting and coagulation of tissue, and sealing (fusion) of vessels, including pulmonary vessels, and tissue bundles is performed, including such procedures as bowel resections, hysterectomies (both vaginal and abdominal), laparoscopic choles, laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomies, gall bladder procedures, Nissen fundoplication, adhesiolysis, oophorectorny, etc. The devices can be used on vessels (arteries, veins, pulmonary arteries, pulmonary veins, lymph) up to 7mm and bundles as large as will fit in the jaws of the instruments.
The LigaSure tissue fusion function has not been shown to be effective for tubal sterilization or tubal coaqulation for sterilization procedures. Do not use this function for these procedures.
#### 1.6 Summary of Technological Characteristics
The technological characteristics of the ForceTriad generator have not changed, except additional software updates to allow additional instruments to be recognized by the ForceTriad™ Electrosurgical Generator. These instruments include an adaptor cable to allow a third party resectoscope to connect to the ForceTriad™, a two (2) pedal footswitch specific to bipolar resection for CUT and COAG effect, and an activation kit that allows users to activate
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the bipolar resection feature on their ForceTriad Electrosurgical Generator. This software change includes a user interface for the ForceTriad generator to work with third party resectoscopes in a bipolar modifications have been implemented that allow adaptor cables to be recognized by the ForceTriad™ generator, through the LigaSure 2 port, for the connection to a third party bipolar resectoscope. A new graphical user interface has been created for the newly available bipolar resection mode in a saline environment. There are six (6) effect settings (power modes) for both the bipolar CUT and COAG effect modes, with an increased bipolar power output of up to 375 Watts.
An updated User Guide has been provided for the generator, as well as Instructions for Use for the bioolar resection Activation Kit, bipolar resection adaptor cord, and the bipolar resection footswitch. This bioolar resection mode will be available starting in software version 3.30 and higher. For generators in the field that do not have software version 3.30 or higher, a software update is available through Valleylab Exchange.
#### Preclinical Performance 1.7
Software validation was conducted to qualify the software changes. Bench testing using a pork model (to simulate prostate) and live porcine model using kidney (for hemostasis) was also conducted. In addition testing required by the relevant safety standards was conducted. Results were acceptable.
### Clinical Performance 1.8
This premarket notification report does not rely on the assessment of clinical performance data to demonstrate substantial equivalence.
### 1.9 Conclusion
Based on the information provided, Covidien concludes that the modified device is substantially equivalent to the predicate devices. The software modifications made to the ForceTriad™ detailed in this Traditional 510(k) have not introduced any new questions of Safety and Efficacy. The new software was developed and tested in accordance with the Design Control requlations and internal procedures. Testing found that the software met acceptance criteria. The testing results at the system and individual accessories levels have met the pass-fail criteria.
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Image /page/3/Picture/0 description: The image shows the logo for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The logo consists of a circular seal with the text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" arranged around the perimeter. Inside the circle is a stylized symbol that resembles three overlapping lines or ribbons, creating a visual effect of movement or flow.
## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Room -WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
Covidien % Mr. Donald Henton Regulatory Affairs Manger 5920 Longbow Drive Boulder, Colorado 80301
MAY 3 1 2011
Re: K110268
Trade/Device Name: ForceTriad Electrosurgical Generator Regulation Number: 21 CFR 878.4400 Regulation Name: Electrosurgical cutting and coagulation device and accessories Regulation Name: GEI Regulatory Class: Class II Dated: May 24, 2011 Received: May 25, 2011
Dear Mr. Henton:
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 note: CDRH does not evaluate information related to contract liability warranties. We remind you, however, that device labeling must be truthful and not misleading.
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
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Page 2 - Mr. Donald Henton
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/MedicalDevices/Safety/ReportalProblem/default.htm 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 (301) 796-7100 or at its Internet address http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Resourcesfor You/Industry/default.htm.
Sincerely yours
Fer Pete O'Hara
Del D.R
Mark N. Melkerson Director Division of Surgical, Orthopedic and Restorative Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Hcalth
Enclosure
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# Indications for Use Statement
510(k) Number (if known): K110268
Device Name: Force Triad™ Electrosurgical Generator
Indications for Use:
The ForceTriad is a full-featured electrosurgical generator intended for open and laparoscopic surgical procedures where the surgeon requires electrosurgical cutting (resecting, dividing, or separating), coagulation (hemostasis, coagulating, or desiccating), or vessel sealing or fusing.). The generator is intended for use in general, laparoscopic, and gynecologic surgical procedures where ligation of vessels, pulmonary vasculature, or lymph vessels, is desired. The system creates a vessel ligation (seal) by the application of bipolar electrosurgical RF energy (coagulation) to vessels interposed between the jaws of the device. The generator can also be used with standard bipolar devices where bipolar cutting or coagulation is desired or with compatible resectoscopes for endoscopically controlled removal (resection) or coagulation of tissue using 0.9% NaCl solution (saline) as the irrigation medium.
The indications for use include general (including urologic, thoracic, plastic, and reconstructive), laparoscopic, and gynecological procedures where electrosurgical cutting and coagulation of tissue, and sealing (fusion) of vessels, including pulmonary vessels, and tissue bundles is performed, including such procedures as bowel resections, hysterectomies (both vaginal and abdominal), laparoscopic cholesystectomies, laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomies, gall bladder procedures, Nissen fundoplication, adhesiolysis, oophorectorny, etc. The devices can be used on vessels (arteries, veins. pulmonary arteries, pulmonary veins, lymph) up to 7mm and bundles as large as will fit in the jaws of the instruments.
The LigaSure tissue fusion function has not been shown to be effective for tubal sterilization or tubal coagulation for sterilization procedures. Do not use this function for these procedures.
Prescription Use × -- AND/OR (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
Over-The-Counter (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
Use
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE OF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
(Division Sign-Off)
Division of Surgical, Orthopedic,
and Restorative Devices
510(k) Number. K110268
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.