The SternaLock® 360 Sternal Closure System is intended for use in the stabilization and fixation of fractures of the sternum including sternal fixation following sternotomy and sternal reconstructive surgical procedures, to promote fusion. The system is intended for use in patients with normal and/or poor bone quality.
Device Story
Sternalock® 360 Sternal Closure System provides rigid fixation and cerclage for sternal approximation and bone compression. Device consists of metallic plate pre-assembled to polymer-coated metallic band; plate fixated to bone via locking screws. Includes needle for band placement, removed prior to tensioning. Used in surgical settings by surgeons for sternal closure. System combines rigid plate fixation with cerclage to distribute forces and reduce bone cut-through. Benefits include improved sternal stability and fusion in patients with varying bone quality.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data. Substantial equivalence determined via non-clinical bench testing, including static and fatigue testing of single implants and 3-implant constructs, and MR compatibility testing. All testing met acceptance criteria.
Technological Characteristics
Materials: Commercially Pure Titanium (plate, band), Parvlene-C (band coating), Titanium Alloy Ti-6Al-4V (locking mechanism, screws), Stainless Steel (needle). Principle: Rigid fixation via locking plates/screws combined with cerclage band compression. Form factor: Box/X-shape plates. Sterilization: Ethylene Oxide gas. Single-use.
Indications for Use
Indicated for stabilization and fixation of sternal fractures, including post-sternotomy and sternal reconstructive procedures, to promote fusion. Suitable for patients with normal or poor bone quality. Contraindicated in patients with active infection, foreign body sensitivity, or those with mental/neurologic conditions unwilling or unable to follow postoperative care.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
Single/multiple component metallic bone fixation appliances and accessories are devices intended to be implanted consisting of one or more metallic components and their metallic fasteners. The devices contain a plate, a nail/plate combination, or a blade/plate combination that are made of alloys, such as cobalt-chromium-molybdenum, stainless steel, and titanium, that are intended to be held in position with fasteners, such as screws and nails, or bolts, nuts, and washers. These devices are used for fixation of fractures of the proximal or distal end of long bones, such as intracapsular, intertrochanteric, intercervical, supracondylar, or condylar fractures of the femur; for fusion of a joint; or for surgical procedures that involve cutting a bone. The devices may be implanted or attached through the skin so that a pulling force (traction) may be applied to the skeletal system.
Predicate Devices
Biomet Microfixation Sternal Closure System (K121302)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
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Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Center - WO66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
November 3, 2015
Biomet Microfixation Ms. Lauren Jasper Global Regulatory Affairs Specialist 1520 Tradeport Drive Jacksonville, Florida 32218
Re: K151019 Trade/Device Name: Sternalock® 360 Sternal Closure System Regulation Number: 21 CFR 888.3030 Regulation Name: Single/multiple component metallic bone fixation appliances and accessories Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: HRS Dated: September 17, 2015 Received: September 18, 2015
Dear Ms. Jasper:
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 Parts 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. Lauren Jasper
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 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/Resourcesfor You/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.
# Mark N. Melkerson -S
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: K151019
Device Name: SternaLock® 360 Sternal Closure System
Indications for Use: The SternaLock® 360 Sternal Closure System is intended for use in the stabilization and fixation of fractures of the sternum including sternal fixation following sternotomy and sternal reconstructive surgical procedures, to promote fusion. The system is intended for use in patients with normal and/or poor bone quality.
Prescription Use __xx_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (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)
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Image /page/3/Picture/0 description: The image shows the logo for Biomet Microfixation. The word "BIOMET" is in large, bold, gray letters. Below that, the word "MICROFIXATION" is in smaller, gray letters. Underneath the words is a thin, green line, and below that is the phrase "One Surgeon. One Patient."
## 510(k) Summary
Prepared October 29, 2015
| Submitter: | Biomet Microfixation<br>1520 Tradeport Drive<br>Jacksonville, FL 32218 |
|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Contact: | Lauren Jasper, Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist<br>lauren.jasper@biomet.com<br>Telephone: (904) 741-9259<br>Fax: (904) 741-9425 |
Device Name: SternaLock® 360 Sternal Closure System
Common or Usual Name: Bone Plate
Classification Name: Plate, Fixation, Bone
#### Device Classification:
| Product Code | Classification Device | | Regulation | Regulation Description |
|--------------|-------------------------|----------------|------------|----------------------------|
| | Name | Classification | Number | |
| HRS | Plate, Fixation | | 888.3030 | Single/multiple component |
| | Bone | | | metallic bone fixation |
| | | | | appliances and accessories |
Indications for Use: The SternaLock® 360 Sternal Closure System is intended for use in the stabilization and fixation of fractures of the sternum including sternal fixation following sternotomy and sternal reconstructive surgical procedures, to promote fusion. The system is intended for use in patients with normal and/or poor bone quality.
Contraindications: 1. Active infection; 2. Foreign body sensitivity, where material sensitivity is suspected, testing is to be completed prior to implantation; 3. Patients with mental or neurologic conditions who are unwilling or incapable of following postoperative care instructions.
Device Description: The SternaLock® 360 Sternal Closure System is comprised of rigid fixation and cerclage technologies to approximate the sternal halves, provide bone compression, and rigidly fixate bone in one device. The cerclage aids in distributing forces around the sternal bone as well as reducing loss of fixation due to cut-through in bone. Implantable components include a metallic plate pre-assembled to a polymer-coated metallic band; the plate is rigidly fixated to bone through locking screws. The SternaLock® 360 plates are manufactured from
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Commercially Pure Titanium: the band is manufactured from Commercially Pure Titanium and coated with Parvlene-C: the band locking mechanism is manufactured from Titanium Alloy (Ti-6Al-4V); the locking screws are manufactured from Titanium Alloy (Ti-6Al-4V); and the needle (not implantable) is manufactured from Stainless Steel.
## Predicate Devices:
K121302, Biomet Microfixation Sternal Closure System
## Similarities to Predicate Devices:
The similarities of the new sternal closure device to the predicate device are as follows:
- The indications for use are similar to that of the predicate device.
- . Both systems leverage rigid fixation technology through the use of locking plates and locking screws.
- . Locking plates and screws are manufactured out of the same materials as the predicate devices.
- . Locking plate geometry is similar to the plates previously cleared in the predicate system. Both systems offer a box and X-shape design.
- Locking screw geometry is identical to predicate screw design. There are no changes to . material, design, or manufacturing processes from the predicate device. There are no additional lengths of screws offered outside the lengths previously cleared in the predicate system.
### Differences to Predicate Devices:
The changes proposed by this new sternal closure device are as follows:
- . The proposed device is designed to approximate, compress, and fixate sternal bone after a sternotomy or through reconstruction.
- . The polymer coating used in the cerclage band design is an additional material, compared to the predicate device.
- . The addition of a needle attached to the end of the band to allow the device to be wrapped around or through the sternal bone. The needle is manufactured from stainless steel and is intended to be cut off after use and prior to tensioning the device.
- . Device-specific tensioning instrumentation to be offered single-use pre-assembled to the implants to aid in implantation of the device.
- Device sterilization: proposed device is offered sterile via exposure to Ethylene Oxide . gas. The predicate device is offered non-sterile and intended to be sterilized by the user prior to implantation.
Non-Clinical Performance Data: A single SternaLock® 360 banded-box plate was compared to a single SternaLock® Blu box-shape plate in both static and fatigue testing. A recommended configuration for SternaLock® 360 (banded-box, banded-box) was compared to a recommended configuration for SternaLock® Blu (L-shape, X-shape, X-shape) in both static and fatigue testing. All non-clinical performance testing passed according to the acceptance criteria
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and the proposed device was found to be statistically equivalent or stronger in all testing than the predicate device. Testing was conducted as follows:
- Single Implant Static Testing .
- Single Implant Fatigue Testing
- 3-Implant Construct Static Testing ●
- 3-Implant Construct Fatigue Testing ●
- MR Compatibility Testing ●
Clinical Performance Data: Clinical testing was not necessary for the determination of substantial equivalence.
Sterilization Information: The implants are provided sterile by the manufacturer; sterilization method is exposure to Ethylene Oxide gas. Implants are single use and cannot be re-sterilized by the user.
Substantial Equivalence: The SternaLock® 360 Sternal Closure System utilizes similar locking plate and locking screw technology as the predicate device. Testing identified in this summary has passed all acceptance criteria and the proposed devices are equivalent or better than predicate devices, where applicable. Indications for use of the predicate and proposed devices are similar. It is therefore concluded that the proposed device is considered substantially equivalent to the predicate device.
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.