K111611 · Merit Medical Systems, Inc. · ESW · Jul 29, 2011 · General, Plastic Surgery
Device Facts
Record ID
K111611
Device Name
ENDOMAXX FULLY COVERED ESOPHAGEAL STENT
Applicant
Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
Product Code
ESW · General, Plastic Surgery
Decision Date
Jul 29, 2011
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Special
Regulation
21 CFR 878.3610
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The MERIT ENDOTEK™ EndoMAXX™ Fully Covered Esophageal Stent is intended for maintaining esophageal luminal patency in esophageal strictures caused by intrinsic and/or extrinsic malignant tumors and for occlusion of esophageal fistulae.
Device Story
EndoMAXX is a self-expanding, fully covered Nitinol esophageal stent designed to maintain luminal patency in malignant strictures and occlude fistulae. The device consists of a radiopaque Nitinol stent covered by a biocompatible silicone membrane, preloaded onto a coaxial deployment catheter. The catheter features a trigger-based, one-handed deployment mechanism and accommodates a 0.035" guidewire for endoscopic placement. The stent geometry minimizes foreshortening and includes proximal/distal ends with larger diameters to reduce migration risk; sutures at both ends allow for repositioning. Used in clinical settings by physicians, the device is guided to the implant site under fluoroscopic visualization. Once deployed, the stent provides mechanical support to the esophageal wall. The system is intended for single-use, prescription-only application.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. No clinical data provided. Testing included deployment, expansion/compression force, dimensional, corrosion, tensile strength, guidewire compatibility, stent foreshortening, fatigue, and biocompatibility (cytotoxicity, sensitization, implantation, sub-chronic toxicity) per ISO 10993 and FDA guidance for esophageal prostheses.
Technological Characteristics
Self-expanding Nitinol stent with biocompatible silicone membrane cover. Coaxial deployment catheter with trigger mechanism. Radiopaque markers for fluoroscopic visualization. Compatible with 0.035" guidewire. Tested per ASTM standards (D4169, D4332, F2052, F2119, F2129, F2182, F2213, F2503, G71) and ISO standards (2233, 10993-1, 10993-5, 10993-6, 10993-10).
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients requiring maintenance of esophageal luminal patency due to intrinsic or extrinsic malignant tumors, or for the occlusion of esophageal fistulae.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An esophageal prosthesis is a rigid, flexible, or expandable tubular device made of a plastic, metal, or polymeric material that is intended to be implanted to restore the structure and/or function of the esophagus. The metal esophageal prosthesis may be uncovered or covered with a polymeric material. This device may also include a device delivery system.
Special Controls
The special control for this device is FDA's “Guidance for the Content of Premarket Notification Submissions for Esophageal and Tracheal Prostheses.”
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Image /page/0/Picture/0 description: The image shows the logo for Merit Medical Endotek. The logo consists of two parts: a stylized "M" symbol on the left and the text "MERITMEDICAL ENDOTEK" on the right. The text is in a bold, sans-serif font, with "MERITMEDICAL" on the top line and "ENDOTEK" on the bottom line.
KIIII611
pg 1 of 4
JUL 2 9 2011
MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC
ENDOTEK Division
1600 West Merit Parkuar
SCUTH JORDAN, UTAH 84095
1.801 257 1000 1 Institu
6789.016, 108.1 144
www.merit.com/endotek
# 510(k) Summary
#### General Provisions Submitter: Merit Medical Systems, Inc. Address: 1600 West Merit Parkway South Jordan, UT 84095 Telephone No .: 801-208-4389 FAX No .: 801-826-4157 Contact Person: John C. Knorpp, Director, Regulatory Affairs - Endotek Division Email: jknorpp@merit.com Date of Preparation: July 18, 2011 Registration No .: 1721504
### Subject Device
Trade Name: Common/Usual Name: Classification Name:
EndoMAXX™ Fully Covered Esophageal Stent Esophageal Stent Prosthesis, Esophageal
### Predicate Device
Trade Name: ALIMAXX-ESTM Esophageal Stent Classification Name: Prosthesis, Esophageal Premarket Notification: ・K051621 & K080838
#### Classification
CFR Listing: Product Code: Review Branch: Class II per 21 CFR 878.3610 ESW General & Plastic Surgery (Review Panel: Gastroenterology/Urology)
#### Indications for Use
The MERIT ENDOTEK™ EndoMAXX™ Fully Covered Esophageal Stent is intended for maintaining esophageal luminal patency in esophageal strictures caused by intrinsic and/or extrinsic malignant tumors and for occlusion of esophageal fistulae,
## Device Description
The MERIT ENDOTEK™ EndoMAXX Fully Covered Esophageal Stent is comprised of two components: the radiopaque self-expanding Nitinol stent and the deployment catheter. The stent is completely covered with a biocompatible silicone membrane. The stent expansion results from the physical properties of the metal and the proprietary geometry. The stent is designed with a larger diameter at the distal and proximal ends to reduce the possibility of migration. The overall stent geometry is designed to ninimize foreshortening upon expansion, thus facilitating improvement in deployment accuracy. The proximal and distal ends of the stent are threaded with a suture intended for use in proximal and distal repositioning of the stent. The stent is deployed with a dedicated deployment catheter. The deployment catheter consists of two coaxial sheaths attached to a deployment handle. The handle permiss
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one-handed positioning and deployment via a trigger mechanism. The exterior sheath serves to constrain the stent until the sheath is retracted during deployment. A radiopaque tip and marker on the inner shaft proximal to the stent aid the operator in determining stent position to the deployment threshold. Once deployment is initiated, the stent cannot be reconstrained. The stent can be repositioned proximally until the first deployment trigger is deployed for a two deployment trigger device or until the second deployment trigger is deployed for a three deployment trigger device. The inner tube of the coaxial sheath catheter contains a central lumen that will accommodate a 0.035" (0.89mm) guide wire. This feature is designed to allow safe guidance of the deployment catheter to the intended implant site while minimizing the risk of esophageal injury from the deployment catheter tip.
#### Comparison to the Predicate
Both the subject and predicate devices are self expanding, fully covered Nitinol stents preloaded on a deployment catheter. The EndoMAXX Stent incorporates modifications to the cover, suture and stent lattice.
Both the subject and predicate deployment catheters are user controlled, single handed mechanisms designed for endoscopic placement of the stent over a guidewire. The EndoMAXX deployment catheter has been modified to fit the EndoMAXX Stent.
#### Safety & Performance Testing
-
No performance standards have been established under Section 514 of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act for these devices. However, a battery of tests was performed according to protocols based on the requirements of the following documents, and were shown to meet the acceptance criteria that were determined to be applicable to the safety and efficacy of the device:
- ASTM D4169-09, Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems, . 2009
- . ASTM D-4332-01, Standard practice for conditioning containers, packages, or packaging components for testing, 2006
- ASTM F2052-06e1 Measurement of Magnetically Induced Displacement Force on Medical . Devices in the MR Environment, 2006
- . ASTM F2119-07, Standard Test Method for Evaluation of MR Image Artifacts from Passive Implants, 2007
- ASTM F2129-08, Conducting Cyclic Potentiodynamic Polarization Measurements to Determine . the Corrosion Susceptibility ,2008
- ASTM F2182-09, Measurement of Radio Frequency Induced Heating Near Passive Implants . During MR Imaging, 2009
- . ASTM F2213-06, Method for Measurement of Magnetically Induced Torque on Passive Implants in MR Environment, 2006
- ASTM F2503-08 Marking Medical Devices and Other Items for Safety in the Magnetic Resonance ● Environment, 2008
- ASTM G71-81, Standard Guide for Conducting and Evaluating Galvanic Corrosion Tests in . Electrolytes, 2009
- ISO 2233:00; Packaging Complete, filled transport packages and unit loads conditioning for ● testing
- . USP34 NF29, U.S. Pharmacopeia-National Formulary (Simulated Gastric Fluid Test Solution Only)
- . ISO 10993-5:2009, Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices - Part 5: Tests for In Vitro Cytotoxicity
- . ISO 10993-6: Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices - Tests for Local Effects after Implantation; 2007-04-15
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K112611
pg 3 of 4
- ISO 10993-1:2009, Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices Part 1: Evaluation and Testing . Within a Risk Management Process
- ISO 10993-10:2010, Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices Part 10: Tests for Irritation and . Skin Sensitization
The following tests were successfully conducted as per FDA Guidance for the Content of Premarket Notifications for Esophageal and Tracheal Prosthesis, April 28, 1998:
- Deployment Testing. ●
- . Expansion Force Testing.
- . Compression Force Testing.
- . Dimensional Testing.
- . Corrosion Testing.
- . Tensile Strength Tests.
The following list details significant testing that was successfully completed:
- . Guidewire compatibility
- . Distal Tip Insertion
- . Stent foreshortening
- . Deployment Catheter Profile
- Deployment Trigger Stroke ◆
- . Trigger safety
- . Stent Deployment Force
- . Stent Repositioning after partial deployment.
- . Deployment Accuracy
- . Stent repositioning, after full deployment
- . Stent expansion and condition after deployment
- . System integrity
- . Radius of leading stent struts
- Stent Springback after purse stringing suture
- Compression Force Pre-fatigue .
- . Expansion Force Pre-fatigue
- . Stent in-fold distance
- . Stent in-fold force
- . Stent flexibility
- . Suture cutting with forceps
- . Suture tensile
- . Stent Fatigue
- . Cover Integrity after Fatigue
- . Stent Springback after Fatigue (dimensional)
- . Compression Force after Fatigue
- . Expansion Force after Fatigue
- . Stent Tensile
- First trigger to floater tensile .
- . Floater to internal connector tensile
- Second trigger to internal connector tensile .
- . For 3-trigger device, 1st trigger to second trigger tensile
- . Handle to outer support tensile
- . Handle to metal hypotube and inner shaft bond tensile
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K111611
pg 4 of 4
- Outer shaft to internal connector bond tensile ●
- . Outer shaft tensile
- Pod to outer shaft tensile
- . Tip to inner sheath bond
- . Visualize stent with fluoroscopy
- . Fluoroscopic visibility of deployment catheter
- . Packaging Condition
- . Stent Anti-migration Strut Height
- . Corrosion
- . MR Compatibility
The following biocompatibility tests were successfully completed:
- Cytotoxicity
- . Sensitization
- . Implantation
- Sub-Chronic Toxicity .
Packaging performance before and after exposure to accelerated aging and simulated shipping and handling conditions was successfully completed.
#### Summary of Substantial Equivalence
Based on the indications for use, design, and safety and performance test results, the subject EndoMAXX™ Fully Covered Esophageal Stent meets the requirements that are considered essential for its intended use and is substantially equivalent to the predicate device, the ALIMAXX-ES™ Esophageal Stent manufactured by Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
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Image /page/4/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the Department of Health & Human Services USA. The logo is a circular seal with the words "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES USA" around the perimeter. Inside the circle is an abstract symbol that resembles an eagle or other bird-like figure. The symbol is composed of three curved lines that converge at the top and then separate into three distinct shapes at the bottom.
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Mail Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
Mr. John C. Knorpp Director, Regulatory Affairs Merit Medical System, Inc. 1600 W. Merit Parkway SOUTH JORDAN UT 84095
JUL 2 9 2011
Re: K111611
Trade/Device Name: EndoMAXX™ Fully Covered Esophageal Stent Regulation Number: 21 CFR§ 878.3610 Regulation Name: Esophageal prosthesis Regulatory Class: II Product Code: ESW Dated: July 25, 2011 Received: July 26, 2011
Dear Mr. Knorpp:
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 of medical device-related
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# Page 2
adverse events) (21 CFR 803); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (OS) 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/Resourcesfor You/Industry/default.htm.
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ResourcesforYou/Industry/default.htm.
Sincerely yours,
Huker Lemur MD
Herbert P. Lerner, M.D., Director (Acting) Division of Reproductive, Gastro-Renal and Urological Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
#### Enclosure
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#### 5 Indications for Use
# Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known): J | | |(ø ||
EndoMAXX™ Fully Covered Esophageal Stent Device Name:
Indications for Use:
The MERIT ENDOTEK™ EndoMAXX™ Fully Covered Esophageal Stent is intended for maintaining esophageal luminal patency in esophageal strictures caused by intrinsic and/or extrinsic malignant tumors and for occlusion of esophageal fistulae.
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 OF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Sianroductive.
Page 1 of 1
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.