Penumbra Embolectomy Aspiration System [INDIGO Aspiration System]
K142870 · Penumbra, Inc. · QEW · May 26, 2015 · Cardiovascular
Device Facts
Record ID
K142870
Device Name
Penumbra Embolectomy Aspiration System [INDIGO Aspiration System]
Applicant
Penumbra, Inc.
Product Code
QEW · Cardiovascular
Decision Date
May 26, 2015
Decision
SESE
Submission Type
Traditional
Regulation
21 CFR 870.5150
Device Class
Class 2
Attributes
Therapeutic
Indications for Use
The Penumbra Embolectomy Aspiration System (INDIGO™ Aspiration System) is intended for the removal of fresh, soft emboli and thrombi from vessels of the peripheral arterial and venous systems. Not for use in the coronaries or the neurovasculature.
Device Story
System uses aspiration to remove fresh, soft emboli and thrombi from peripheral arterial and venous vessels; includes aspiration catheter and separator. Separator breaks up clot inside catheter to facilitate aspiration. Device used in clinical settings by physicians. Output is physical removal of thrombus; clinical benefit is restoration of blood flow. System provided sterile, non-pyrogenic, single-use.
Clinical Evidence
No human clinical data. Evidence consists of biocompatibility testing (ISO 10993-1), bench-top mechanical testing (tensile, burst, flow rate, kink resistance, etc.), and an animal study. Animal study showed no vessel injury, no abnormal histology, and no significant vascular response.
Technological Characteristics
Catheter-based aspiration system. Materials: Biocompatible polymers with hydrophilic coating. Sterilization: Ethylene Oxide (EO). Shelf-life: 36 months. Design includes aspiration catheter and separator. Mechanical testing per EN ISO 10555-1:2013. No software or electronic components.
Indications for Use
Indicated for removal of fresh, soft emboli and thrombi from peripheral arterial and venous systems. Contraindicated for use in coronary or neurovascular vessels.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An embolectomy catheter is a balloon-tipped catheter that is used to remove thromboemboli, i.e., blood clots which have migrated in blood vessels from one site in the vascular tree to another.
Predicate Devices
Penumbra Embolectomy Aspiration System (INDIGO™ Aspiration System) (K121917)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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Public Health Service
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
July 22, 2015
Penumbra, Inc. Michaela Mahl Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs 1351 Harbor Bay Parkway Alameda, CA 94502
Re: K142870
Trade/Device Name: Penumbra Embolectomy Aspiration System (INDIGO™) Aspiration System) Regulation Number: 21 CFR 870.5150 Regulation Name: Embolectomy Catheter Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: DXE Dated: April 24, 2015 Received: April 27, 2015
Dear Ms. Mahl:
This letter corrects our substantially equivalent letter of May 26, 2015.
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. Iisting 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
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Page 2 - Michaela Mahl
comply with all the Act's requirements, including, but not limited to: registration and listing (21 CFR Part 807); labeling (21 CFR Part 801); medical device reporting (reporting of medical device-related adverse events) (21 CFR 803); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (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 contact the Division of Industry and Consumer Education 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. 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 Industry and Consumer Education 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.
# Kenneth J. Cavanaugh -S
for Bram D. Zuckerman, M.D. Director Division of Cardiovascular Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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### DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Food and Drug Administration
# Indications for Use
Form Approved: OMB No. 0910-0120 Expiration Date: January 31, 2017 See PRA Statement below.
### 510(k) Number (if known) K142870
### Device Name
Penumbra Embolectomy Aspiration System (INDIGO™ Aspiration System)
### Indications for Use (Describe)
The Penumbra Embolectory Aspiration System (INDIGO™ Aspiration System) is intended for the removal of fresh, soft emboli and thrombi from vessels of the peripheral arterial and venous systems.
Not for use in the coronaries or the neurovasculature.
Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable)
2 Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
_ Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
## CONTINUE ON A SEPARATE PAGE IF NEEDED.
This section applies only to requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
### *DO NOT SEND YOUR COMPLETED FORM TO THE PRA STAFF EMAIL ADDRESS BELOW.*
The burden time for this collection of information is estimated to average 79 hours per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data sources, gather and maintain the data needed and complete and review the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to:
> Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration Office of Chief Information Officer Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) Staff PRAStaff(@fda.hhs.gov
"An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB number."
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#### l 510(k) Summary
(as required by 21 CFR 807.92)
Pursuant to Section 12, Part (a)(i)(3A) of the Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990, Penumbra, Inc. is providing the summary of Substantial Equivalence for the Penumbra Embolectomy Aspiration System (INDIGO™ Aspiration System).
#### 1.1 Sponsor/Applicant Name and Address
Penumbra, Inc. 1351 Harbor Bay Parkway Alameda, CA 94502, USA
#### 1.2 Sponsor Contact Information
Michaela Mahl Senior Manager of Regulatory Affairs Phone: (510) 748-3288 FAX: (510) 217-6414 Email: michaela.mahl@penumbrainc.com
#### 1.3 Date of Preparation of 510(k) Summary
May 26, 2015
#### 1.4 Device Trade or Proprietary Name
Penumbra Embolectomy Aspiration System (INDIGO™ Aspiration System)
#### 1.5 Common/Usual Name
Embolectomy Aspiration System
#### 1.6 Device Classification
Regulatory Class: I I Classification Panel: Cardiovascular Classification Name: Embolectomy catheter Regulation Number: 21 CFR § 870.5150 Product Code: DXE
#### 1.7 Predicate Devices
| 510(k) Number /<br>Clearance Date | Name of Predicate Device | Name of<br>Manufacturer |
|-----------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------|
| K121917 [19Sep2012] | Penumbra Embolectomy Aspiration System<br>(INDIGOTM Aspiration System) | Penumbra, Inc. |
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| | Penumbra Embolectomy Aspiration System<br>(INDIGOTM Aspiration System) | | |
|----------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--|
| System Name | | | |
| Device | Predicate Device | Subject Device | |
| 510(k) No. | K121917 | K142870 | |
| Classification | Class II, DXE | SAME | |
| Indication | The Penumbra Embolectomy<br>Aspiration System<br>(INDIGOTM Aspiration<br>System) is intended for the<br>removal of fresh, soft emboli<br>and thrombi from vessels of<br>the peripheral arterial system.<br>Not for use in the coronaries.<br>the venous system or the<br>neurovasculature. | The Penumbra Embolectomy<br>Aspiration System (INDIGOTM<br>Aspiration System) is intended for<br>the removal of fresh, soft emboli<br>and thrombi from vessels of the<br>peripheral arterial and venous<br>systems. Not for use in the<br>coronaries or the neurovasculature. | |
| Materials | Biocompatible, commonly<br>utilized for interventional<br>devices | SAME plus additional material<br>compositions | |
| Coating | Hydrophilic coating | SAME | |
| Effective Length | Appropriately sized for the | SAME plus shorter & longer<br>lengths | |
| Proximal OD & ID | target vasculature | SAME with larger diameters | |
| Distal OD & ID | | SAME with larger diameters | |
| Packaging Materials | Commonly used materials<br>for medical devices | SAME | |
| Packaging<br>Configuration | Individual | SAME | |
| Sterilization | EO | SAME | |
| Shelf-Life | 36 Months | SAME | |
#### 1.8 Predicate Comparison
#### 1.9 Device Description
The Penumbra Embolectomy Aspiration System's (INDIGO™ Aspiration System) fundamental mechanism of action is aspiration. Aspiration draws the embolus or thrombus into the Aspiration Catheter to remove the embolus or thrombus from the body. All Separators function to break up the clot inside of the catheter to make it more amenable to removal from the body via aspiration. The Aspiration Catheter and Separator are available in multiple configurations. The devices are provided sterile, non-pyrogenic, and intended for single use only.
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# 1.10 Indications for Use
The Penumbra Embolectomy Aspiration System (INDIGO™ Aspiration System) is intended for the removal of fresh, soft emboli and thrombi from vessels of the peripheral arterial and venous systems. Not for use in the coronaries or the neurovasculature.
# 1.11 Summary of Non-Clinical Data
Included in this section are descriptions of the testing, which substantiates the safe and effective performance of the Penumbra Embolectomy Aspiration System (INDIGO™ Aspiration System) as well as its substantial equivalence to the predicate devices:
- . Biocompatibility / Pyrogenicity
- Design Verification (Bench-Top Testing) ●
- . Animal Study
For the subject Penumbra Embolectomy Aspiration System (INDIGO™ Aspiration System) all established requirements and acceptance criteria were met.
# 1.11.1 Biocompatibility Testing
Biocompatibility is established for the Penumbra Embolectomy Aspiration System (INDIGO™ Aspiration System) devices based on tests selected in accordance with EN ISO 10993 -1 guidelines (Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices) for limited duration (<24 hours), external communicating devices, contacting circulating blood and limited exposure (≤ 24 hours), surface contact, skin contact devices. All studies were conducted pursuant to 21 CFR, Part 58, Good Laboratory Practices. In summary the following below listed biocompatibility testing was leveraged from predicate devices. Additionally, cytotoxicity, sensitization, and irritation testing was performed on the Aspiration Tubing for the subject device.
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| Test | Method | Result |
|-------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| Cytotoxicity | L929 MEM Elution Test | Non-Toxic |
| Sensitization | Kligman Maximization | Non-Sensitizing |
| Intracutaneous Reactivity<br>(Irritation) | Intracutaneous Injection<br>Test | Non-Irritant |
| Systemic Toxicity (Acute) | ISO Acute Systemic<br>Injection Test | Non-Toxic |
| Haemocompatibility | Complement Activation | No greater biological<br>response than<br>corresponding control |
| | Hemolysis | Non-Hemolytic |
| | Coagulation - PT | No Statistical Difference<br>from control |
| | Coagulation - PTT | No Statistical Difference<br>from control |
| | <i>In vivo</i> thrombogenicity | Non-Thrombogenic |
| Pyrogenicity | USP Material Mediated<br>Rabbit Pyrogen Test | Non-Pyrogenic |
| Genotoxicity | Mouse Lymphoma<br>Mutagenesis Assay - ISO | Non-Mutagenic |
| | Ames Test | Non-Mutagenic |
| | Micronucleus Assay - ISO | Non-Clastogenic |
# 1.11.2 Bench-top Testing
Testing was based on the design specifications, risk analysis and available guidance documents. These guidance documents include:
- . Guidance on Premarket Notification [510(k)] Submission for Short-Term and Long-Term Intravascular Catheters (FDA - 1995)
- . EN ISO 10555-1:2013 - Sterile, single-use intravascular catheters - Part 1: General Requirements
Devices used for mechanical testing were assembled and packaged in the controlled production environment and sterilized twice using an ethylene oxide sterilization cycle.
The physical and mechanical properties of the Penumbra Embolectomy Aspiration System (INDIGO™ Aspiration System) devices were assessed using standard test methods and pre-determined acceptance criteria. All established acceptance criteria were met. The following tests were performed:
- Visual & Dimensional Test . Friction Test .
- Pouch Seal Strength Test Flow Rate Test . .
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- Tensile Strength Test .
- Elongation Test
- . Bond Strength Test
- . Hub Air Aspiration Test
- . Burst Test
- . Particulate Test
- . Coating Integrity Test
- . Flexibility Test
- . Kink Resistance Test
- . Ovalization Resistance Test
- . Corrosion Test
- . Torsion Test
- . Simulated Use Test
- Leak Test
- Clot Removal Test ●
- . Vacuum Collapse Test
- Trackability Test ●
The results of the tests appropriately address the physical and mechanical performance expectations of the devices. This is further supported by the surgical handling and performance results reported in the in vivo study. Based on these overall results, the physical and mechanical properties of the Penumbra Embolectomy Aspiration System (INDIGO™ Aspiration System) devices are acceptable for the intended use and substantially equivalent to the predicate devices.
# 1.11.3 Animal Study
An animal study was conducted to evaluate the safe use of the Penumbra Embolectomy Aspiration System (INDIGO™ Aspiration System) devices. The studies concluded that:
- . No vessel injury was noted on the final angiograms following the vessel response procedure.
- . No abnormal gross or histology findings were noted in test vessel segments.
- The use of the devices resulted in no significant vascular response in these . experimental conditions.
## 1.11.4 Summary of Substantial Equivalence
The Penumbra Embolectomy Aspiration System (INDIGO™ Aspiration System) is substantially equivalent to the predicate devices with regard to intended use, operating principle, design concept, materials, shelf-life, packaging and sterilization processes.
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.