The Brigade Hyperlordotic System is indicated for spinal fusion procedures in skeletally mature patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD) at one or two contiguous levels in the lumbar spine (L2 to S1). DDD is defined as back pain of discogenic origin with degeneration of the disc confirmed by patient history and radiographic studies. DDD patients may also have up to Grade 1 spondylolisthesis or retrolisthesis at the involved levels. These patients may have had a previous non-fusion spinal surgery at the involved level(s). The Brigade Hyperlordotic System is intended for use with autograft. The Brigade Hyperlordotic System must be used with supplemental internal spinal fixation systems (i.e. posterior pedicle screw and rod system) that are cleared by the FDA for use in the lumbar spine. Patients must have undergone a regimen of at least six (6) months of non-operative treatment prior to being treated with the Brigade Hyperlordotic System.
Device Story
Intervertebral body fusion device; used in lumbar spinal fusion procedures. Composed of PEEK-OPTIMA LT1 interbody implant with titanium alloy markers and four titanium alloy bone screws. Implanted by surgeons in clinical settings to stabilize spinal segments. Requires use with autograft and supplemental posterior pedicle screw and rod fixation. Provides structural support to facilitate fusion in patients with degenerative disc disease. Benefits include stabilization of affected vertebral levels and potential reduction of discogenic back pain.
Clinical Evidence
Bench testing only. Testing included static and dynamic compression, torsion, and compression shear (ASTM F2077), expulsion (ASTM Work Item Z8423Z), subsidence (ASTM F2267), wear debris/mass change analysis (ASTM F1714 and F1877), and screw push-out testing. All results passed acceptance criteria.
Technological Characteristics
Materials: PEEK-OPTIMA LT1 (ASTM F-2026) and Ti-6AI-4V ELI (ASTM F136, ISO 5832-3). Components: Interbody implant with titanium markers and four titanium bone screws. Design: Available in various shapes/sizes for anatomical fit. Mechanical testing per ASTM F2077, F2267, F1714, F1877.
Indications for Use
Indicated for skeletally mature patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD) at one or two contiguous lumbar levels (L2-S1). Includes patients with up to Grade 1 spondylolisthesis or retrolisthesis and those with prior non-fusion spinal surgery. Requires at least 6 months of failed non-operative treatment.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An intervertebral body fusion device is an implanted single or multiple component spinal device made from a variety of materials, including titanium and polymers. The device is inserted into the intervertebral body space of the cervical or lumbosacral spine, and is intended for intervertebral body fusion.
Special Controls
*Classification.* (1) Class II (special controls) for intervertebral body fusion devices that contain bone grafting material. The special control is the FDA guidance document entitled “Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Intervertebral Body Fusion Device.” See § 888.1(e) for the availability of this guidance document.(2) Class III (premarket approval) for intervertebral body fusion devices that include any therapeutic biologic (e.g., bone morphogenic protein). Intervertebral body fusion devices that contain any therapeutic biologic require premarket approval.
(c)
*Date premarket approval application (PMA) or notice of product development protocol (PDP) is required.* Devices described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section shall have an approved PMA or a declared completed PDP in effect before being placed in commercial distribution.
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# 510(k) Summary
In accordance with Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 807, and in particular 21 CFR §807.92, the following summary of information is provided:
#### A. Submitted by:
Ms. Cynthia Adams Regulatory Affairs Associate NuVasive, Incorporated 7475 Lusk Blvd. San Diego, California 92121 (858) 909-1800
Date Prepared: March 14, 2013
#### B. Device Name
| Trade or Proprietary Name: | NuVasive® Brigade® Hyperlordotic System |
|----------------------------|-----------------------------------------|
| Common or Usual Name: | Intervertebral Body Fusion Device |
| Classification Name: | Intervertebral Body Fusion Device |
| Device Class: | Class II |
| Classification: | 21 CFR § 888.3080 |
| Product Code: | OVD |
#### C. Predicate Devices
The subject NuVasive Brigade Hyperlordotic System is substantially equivalent to the following devices:
- K100043 NuVasive, Inc. CoRoent® XLR Standalone System .
- K071309 Surgicraft Limited STALIFTM TT Intervertebral Body Fusion System .
- K071795 NuVasive, Inc. CoRoent System .
#### D. Device Description
The NuVasive Brigade Hyperlordotic System is an interbody system manufactured from PEEK and titanium alloy conforming to industry recognized standards. The NuVasive Brigade Hyperlordotic System is available in a variety of different shapes and sizes to suit the individual pathology and anatomical conditions of the patient. The Brigade Hyperlordotic intervertebral fusion device is a device composed of a PEEK interbody implant containing radiographic titanium alloy markers, and four (4) titanium alloy bone screws. The subject device components are made from Polyetheretherketone (PEEK-OPTIMA LT1) conforming to ASTM F-2026 and titanium alloy (Ti-6AI-4V ELI) conforming to ASTM F136 and ISO 5832-3.
#### E. Intended Use
The Brigade Hyperlordotic System is indicated for spinal fusion procedures in skeletally mature patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD) at one or two contiguous levels in the lumbar spine (L2 to S1). DDD is defined as back pain of discogenic origin with degeneration of the disc confirmed by patient history and radiographic studies. DDD patients may also have up to Grade 1 spondylolisthesis at the involved levels. These patients may have had a previous non-fusion spinal surgery at the involved
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The Brigade Hyperlordotic System is intended for use with autograft. The level(s). Brigade Hyperlordotic System must be used with supplemental internal spinal fixation systems (i.e. posterior pedicle screw and rod system) that are cleared by the FDA for use in the lumbar spine.
Patients must have undergone a regimen of at least six (6) months of non-operative treatment prior to being treated with the Brigade Hyperlordotic System.
#### F. Technological Characteristics
As was established in this submission, the subject Brigade® Hyperlordotic System is substantially equivalent to other predicate devices cleared by the FDA for commercial distribution in the United States. The subject device was shown to be substantially equivalent and have the same technological characteristics to its predicate devices through comparison in areas including design, intended use, material composition, function, and range of sizes.
#### G. Performance Data
Nonclinical testing was performed to demonstrate that the subject Brigade Hyperlordotic System is substantially equivalent to other predicate devices. The following preclinical testing/analysis was performed:
- . Static and dynamic compression, torsion, and compression shear testing per ASTM F2077
- Expulsion testing per ASTM Work Item Z8423Z .
- . Subsidence testing per ASTM F2267
- . Wear debris/mass change analysis during ASTM F2077, per ASTM F1714 and ASTM F1877
- Screw push-out testing .
All test results passed acceptance criteria. The results of these studies, computational modeling, and supporting literature reviews show that the subject Brigade Hyperlordotic System meets or exceeds the performance of the predicate device and does not introduce any new risks; therefore, the system is substantially equivalent to the predicate device.
#### H. Conclusions
Based on the indications for use, technological characteristics, performance testing, and comparison to predicate devices, the subject Brigade Hyperlordotic System has been shown to be substantially equivalent to legally marketed predicate devices, and safe and effective for its intended use.
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## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Image /page/2/Picture/1 description: The image shows the logo for the Department of Health & Human Services USA. The logo consists of a stylized eagle with three wavy lines representing its body and wings. The text "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES - USA" is arranged in a circular fashion around the eagle symbol.
### Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
April 16, 2013
NuVasive®, Incorporated % Ms. Cynthia Adams Regulatory Affairs Associate 7475 Lusk Boulevard San Diego, California 92121
Re: K123045
Trade/Device Name: NuVasive® Brigade® Hyperlordotic System Regulation Number: 21 CFR 888.3080 Regulation Name: Intervertebral body fusion device Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: OVD Dated: March 18, 2013 Received: March 19, 2013
Dear Ms. Adams:
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 - Ms. Cynthia Adams
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.
Image /page/3/Picture/6 description: The image shows the name "Erin I. D. Keith" in a stylized font. The letters are bold and black, with some of them having decorative elements. The "I" and "D" have a boxy design, while the "e" in "Keith" has a unique shape.
Mark N. Melkerson Director Division of Orthopedic Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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### Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known): K123045
Device Name: NuVasive® Brigade® Hyperlordotic System
Indications For Use:
The Brigade Hyperlordotic System is indicated for spinal fusion procedures in skeletally mature patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD) at one or two contiguous levels in the lumbar spine (L2 to S1). DDD is defined as back pain of discogenic origin with degeneration of the disc confirmed by patient history and radiographic studies. DDD patients may also have up to Grade 1 spondylolisthesis or retrolisthesis at the involved levels. These patients may have had a previous non-fusion spinal surgery at the involved level(s). The Brigade Hyperlordotic System is intended for use with autograft. The Brigade Hyperlordotic System must be used with supplemental internal spinal fixation systems (i.e. posterior pedicle screw and rod system) that are cleared by the FDA for use in the lumbar spine.
Patients must have undergone a regimen of at least six (6) months of non-operative treatment prior to being treated with the Brigade Hyperlordotic System.
Prescription Use X (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
:
AND/OR
Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 807 Subpart C)
(PLEASE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE-CONTINUE ON ANOTHER PAGE IF NEEDED)
Concurrence of CDRH, Office of Device Evaluation (ODE)
Anton E. Dmitriev, PhD Division of Orthopedic Devices
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.
