K110422 · Technomed Europe · ETN · May 26, 2011 · Ear, Nose, Throat
Device Facts
Record ID
K110422
Device Name
SURGICAL STIMULATORS
Applicant
Technomed Europe
Product Code
ETN · Ear, Nose, Throat
Decision Date
May 26, 2011
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 874.1820
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The Technomed Europe Kartush disposable surgical stimulators are indicated for tissue dissection and stimulation of cranial and peripheral motor nerves for location and identification during surgery, including spinal nerve roots.
Device Story
Kartush disposable surgical stimulators are invasive, single-patient-use instruments designed for tissue dissection and monopolar nerve stimulation. The device consists of a tip, tapered shaft, handle, and connection pin, typically constructed from stainless steel. It connects to external nerve monitoring equipment via a detachable lead wire with a safety DIN 42802 connector. During surgery, the clinician uses the device to physically dissect tissue while simultaneously delivering electrical stimulation to locate and identify cranial, peripheral motor, or spinal nerve roots. The output is the delivery of electrical current to the target tissue, which helps the surgeon avoid nerve damage by identifying nerve locations. The device is used in a surgical setting by a physician or surgical team. Benefits include improved nerve identification and preservation during dissection procedures.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Testing included dimensional measurements for current density, impedance tests of tips in saline, material comparison, and dielectric strength testing of shaft and handle insulation. Results confirmed performance equivalence to the predicate device.
Technological Characteristics
Materials: Stainless steel. Energy: Electrical stimulation (monopolar). Form factor: Various tip shapes (needle, elevator, ring dissector, sickle knife, hook) with tapered shaft and handle. Connectivity: Detachable lead wire with DIN 42802 safety connector. Sterilization: Sterile, single-use. Design: Integrated 1-piece material construction for tip, shaft, handle, and pin.
Indications for Use
Indicated for tissue dissection and stimulation of cranial and peripheral motor nerves for location and identification during surgery, including spinal nerve roots, in patients undergoing surgical procedures.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A surgical nerve stimulator/locator is a device that is intended to provide electrical stimulation to the body to locate and identify nerves and to test their excitability.
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## p.10 + 3 K110422
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| 510(k) Summary | |
|--------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Manufacturer: | Technomed Europe<br>Amerikalaan 71<br>6199 AE Maastricht Airport<br>The Netherlands |
| Submitted by: | Technomed Europe<br>Amerikalaan 71<br>6199 AE Maastricht Airport<br>The Netherlands<br>Tel.: (+31) 43-408 6868<br>Fax: (+31) 43-408 6888 |
| Contact person: | Mr. Pierre Vreuls<br>Manager Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance<br>E-mail: pvreuls@technomed.nl |
| Date: | February 11, 2011 |
| Proprietary Name: | Kartush Disposable Surgical stimulators |
| Common/usual Name: | Surgical nerve stimulator/locator |
| Classification Name: | Surgical nerve stimulator/locator is classified as class II per 21<br>CFR section 874.1820. Product code ETN. |
| Substantial Equivalence: | K031003: Medtronic Xomed Stimulus/Dissection Instruments,<br>Ball-Tip Probes |
| Device description: | Kartush Disposable surgical stimulators are invasive devices used<br>in the tissue dissection and monopolar stimulating. The<br>instruments have different tip shapes for performing different<br>dissection and stimulating procedures. The tip, tapered shaft,<br>handle and connection pin are made of 1 pieces material. The<br>instruments are designed for single-patient/multiple application<br>use.<br>The detachable lead wire has a safety DIN 42802 connector. |
. . . . . . .
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K110422 p.2 of 3
Name and model numbers new devices:
| Predicate device Medtronic<br>Xomed [K031003] | Technomed Europe surgical<br>stimulators<br>[proposed device] | New model numbers<br>[proposed device] |
|-----------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
| Medtronic Xomed name | Proposed device name | Internal model # |
| KSD Curved needle | Kartush Curved needle | 42301-001 |
| KSD Elevator | Kartush Elevator | 42302-001 |
| KSD Ring dissector, 3mm thin | Kartush Ring dissector, 3mm thin | 42303-001 |
| KSD Ring dissector, 2mm thin | Kartush Ring dissector, 2mm thin | 42303-002 |
| KSD Sickle knife | Kartush Sickle knife | 42304-001 |
| KSD 90° hook | Kartush 90° hook | 42305-001 |
| KSD Crabtree | Kartush Crabtree | 42306-001 |
| KSD Ring dissector, 3mm reg. | Kartush Ring dissector, 3mm reg. | 42303-003 |
| KSD Ring dissector, 2mm reg. | Kartush Ring dissector, 2mm reg. | 42303-004 |
Extension cable to connect device to appropriate equipment:
| Predicate device Medtronic | Technomed Europe surgical | New model numbers |
|----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|
| Xomed [K031003] | stimulators<br>[proposed device] | [proposed device] |
| Medtronic Xomed name | Proposed device name | Internal model # |
| KSD connection lead wire | Kartush 3m extension cable DIN<br>42802 to DIN 42802 | 42307-001 |
Needle electrode already released under 510(k) K990015 (no predicate needed):
| Description | Device Name | Internal model # |
|------------------|---------------------------------------|------------------|
| Needle electrode | Disposable subdermal needle electrode | 40072-001 |
Commercial sets planned with above products:
| New catalog numbers set | Technomed Europe surgical<br>stimulators | New model numbers |
|-------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|
| Proposed catalog # set | Proposed device name | Internal model # |
| 4007-00-KT | Kartush Curved needle | 42301-001 |
| | Kartush Elevator | 42302-001 |
| | Kartush Ring dissector, 3mm thin | 42303-001 |
| | Kartush 3m extension cable DIN<br>42802 to DIN 42802 | 42307-001 |
| | Disposable subdermal needle<br>electrode | 40072-001 |
| | Kartush Ring dissector, 2mm thin | 42303-002 |
| | Kartush Sickle knife | 42304-001 |
| | Kartush 90° hook | 42305-001 |
| | Kartush Crabtree | 42306-001 |
| 4009-00-KT | Kartush Ring dissector, 3mm reg. | 42303-003 |
| | Kartush Ring dissector, 2mm reg. | 42303-004 |
| | Kartush 3m extension cable DIN<br>42802 to DIN 42802 | 42307-001 |
| | Disposable subdermal needle<br>electrode | 40072-001 |
..
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110422 p.3 of 3
| Intended Use: | The Technomed Europe Kartush disposable surgical stimulators<br>are indicated for tissue dissection and stimulation of cranial and<br>peripheral motor nerves for location and identification during<br>surgery, including spinal nerve roots. |
|---------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Comparison to predicates: | The design, materials, chemical composition, packaging and<br>other technological characteristics of the subject device is<br>equivalent to those of the predicate devices. |
| Non-clinical data: | Technomed Europe has been bench testing the Kartush<br>disposable surgical stimulators to confirm performance<br>characteristics of this device. The bench testing consisted of<br>dimensional measurements to determine the current density,<br>impedance tests of the tips of the devices through saline, material<br>comparison and dielectric strength test of the shaft and handle<br>insulation. The conclusion of these bench tests is that the subject<br>devices are equivalent to the predicate devices. |
| Comparison of characteristics between Kartush disposable surgical stimulators and the predicate |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| device: |
| Characteristic | Predicate device Medtronic Xomed<br>[K031003] | Technomed Europe's Kartush<br>disposable surgical<br>stimulators [proposed device] |
|--------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Indications for use | Tissue dissection and stimulation of cranial<br>and peripheral motor nerves for location and<br>identification during surgery including spinal<br>nerve roots. | Same |
| Base material | Stainless steel | Same |
| Electrical insulation | Electrical insulation on all surfaces not<br>intended to provide electrical contact with the<br>patient and connection | Same |
| Distal patient contact<br>surface material | Stainless steel | Same |
| Proximal stimulator<br>connector | Yes | Yes |
| IEC 60601-1<br>protected pin design | Touch proof connector | Same |
| Patient contact<br>material | Biocompatible | Same |
| Use and delivery | Single use and sterile | Same |
Conclusion:
The comparison to the predicate devices demonstrate that the Kartush disposable surgical stimulators are safe and effective and are substantially equivalent to the predicate devices.
.
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Image /page/3/Picture/1 description: The image shows the seal of the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). The seal features a stylized eagle with three lines representing its body and wings. The words "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" are arranged in a circular pattern around the eagle.
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Room -WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
MAY 2 6 2011
Technomed Europe c/o Pierre Vreuls Manager Regulatory Affairs Amerikalaan 71 6199 AE Maastricht Airport The Netherlands
Re: K110422
Trade/Device Name: Kartush Disposable Surgical Stimulators Regulation Number: 21 CFR 874.1820 Regulation Name: Surgical nerve stimulator/locator Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: ETN Dated: April 18, 2011 Received: April 21, 2011
Dear Mr. Vreuls:
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
{4}------------------------------------------------
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/MedicalDevices/Safety/ReportaProblem/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/ResourcesforYou/Industry/default.htm.
Sincerely yours.
Signature
Malvina B. Eydelman, M.D. Director Division of Ophthalmic, Neurological, and Ear, Nose and Throat Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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## Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known): K110422
Kartush disposable surgical stimulators Device Name:
Indications For Use:
The Kartush disposable surgical stimulators are indicated for tissue dissection and stimulation of cranial and peripheral motor nerves for location and identification during surgery, including spinal nerve roots.
| Prescription Use | X |
|-----------------------------|---|
| (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D) | |
AND/OR
Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
**Prescription Use**
(Per 21 CFR 801.109)
John Doucet
John Doucet
Page 1 of 1
(Division Sign-Off) Division of Ophthalmic, Neurological and Ear, Nose and Throat Devices
510(k) Number K110422
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.