For use in injecting local anesthetics into a patient to provide regional anesthesia.
Device Story
The Entellus Medical Reinforced Anesthesia Needle is a 3.5-inch, 27-gauge disposable needle designed for transnasal administration of local anesthetics. It features a reinforcing sleeve to minimize needle flex and a distal bend to facilitate access to nasal anatomy. The device includes a standard luer-lock hub and a Quincke tip that extends 2 mm beyond the sleeve, acting as a distal stop. It is intended for use by clinicians to provide regional anesthesia. The device functions by manual injection of anesthetic solutions. It provides a stable, reinforced delivery mechanism compared to standard needles, potentially improving procedural access and control during nasal interventions.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical or animal testing was performed. Evidence consists of bench testing, including biocompatibility (ISO 10993-1: cytotoxicity, sensitization, intracutaneous reactivity, systemic toxicity, pyrogenicity), sterilization validation (ISO 11137-1), and design verification/validation (dimensional, strength, HFE/UE testing per ISO 594-2, ISO 9626, ISO 7864). Results confirmed the device meets design specifications.
Technological Characteristics
Stainless steel cannula, plastic luer-lock hub. 27-gauge, 3.5-inch length. Features a reinforcing sleeve and 18-degree distal bend. Quincke tip style. Sterile, single-use. Biocompatible per ISO 10993-1. Standards: ISO 594-2 (luer), ISO 9626 (needle tubing), ISO 7864 (sterile needles), ISO 11137-1 (sterilization).
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients requiring regional anesthesia via injection of local anesthetics. No specific contraindications noted.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An anesthesia conduction needle is a device used to inject local anesthetics into a patient to provide regional anesthesia.
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Food and Drug Administration 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Document Control Center - W O66-G609 Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
April 5, 2017
Entellus Medical Inc. Karen Peterson VP Clinical, Regulatory & Quality 3600 Holly Lane North, Suite 40 Plymouth, Minnesota 55447
Re: K163435
Trade/Device Name: Entellus Medical Reinforced Anesthesia Needle Regulation Number: 21 CFR 868.5150 Regulation Name: Anesthesia Conduction Needle Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: BSP Dated: February 24, 2017 Received: February 27, 2017
Dear Karen Peterson:
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.
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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 devicerelated adverse events) (21 CFR 803); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820); and if applicable, the electronic product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.
If you desire specific advice for your device on our labeling regulation (21 CFR Part 801), please 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" (21 CFR 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,
Tina Kiang -
s
Tina Kiang, Ph.D. Acting Director Division of Anesthesiology, General Hospital, Respiratory, Infection Control, and Dental Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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# Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known) K163435
Device Name
Entellus Medical Reinforced Anesthesia Needle
Indications for Use (Describe) For use in injecting local anesthetics into a patient to provide regional anesthesia.
| Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable) |
|-------------------------------------------------|
|-------------------------------------------------|
X | Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
| | Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
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Image /page/3/Picture/2 description: The image contains the logo for "entellus MEDICAL". To the left of the company name is a circular graphic with blue and black curved lines. The company name is in black, with the word "MEDICAL" in smaller letters below the first word.
#### 510(k) Summary
| Date Prepared:<br>Submitter Information: | March 13, 2017<br>Entellus Medical, Inc.<br>3600 Holly lane North, Suite 40<br>Plymouth, MN 55447 |
|------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Establishment Registration: | 3006345872 |
| Contact Information: | Karen E. Peterson<br>Vice President Clinical, Regulatory and Quality<br>(763) 463-7066<br>kpeterson@entellusmedical.com |
| Device Information: | |
| Trade Name: | Entellus Medical Reinforced Anesthesia Needle |
| Common Name: | Needle, Conduction, Anesthetic (w/wo introducer) |
| Classification Regulation: | 21 CFR 868.5150 |
| Classification Name: | Anesthesia conduction needle |
| Classification Panel: | Anesthesiology |
| Device Classification: | Class II |
| Product Code: | BSP |
| Predicate Device | BD Spinal Needle; Becton, Dickinson and<br>Company [K091758] |
#### Device Description:
The Entellus Medical Reinforced Anesthesia Needle is a 3.5" long disposable medical device that allows the user to transnasally administer anesthetic solutions. The Reinforced Anesthesia Needle device is a 27 gauge needle with a reinforcing sleeve which supports the needle to reduce needle flex during administration of anesthetic solutions. A slight bend at the distal end of the needle is designed to improve access to nasal anatomy. The Quincke tip extends approximately 2 mm past the reinforcing sleeve creating a distal stop. The needle hub features a standard luerlock connector.
Image /page/3/Figure/7 description: This image shows a needle with several labels. The first label points to the left side of the needle and says "Needle Hub". The next label is above the needle and says "Needle Reinforcing Sleeve". On the right side of the image, there is a close up of the needle tip with two labels: "Needle Distal Tip (27 ga.)" and "Needle Distal Stop".
Reinforced Anesthesia Needle
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# Indications for Use/ Intended Use
For use in injecting local anesthetics into a patient to provide regional anesthesia
### Contraindications:
None known.
### Technological Characteristics:
The technological characteristics of the subject device are very similar to the predicate device [K091758], including: principle of operation, design, function, materials, biocompatibility and sterility.
Both the subject device and predicate device [K091758] are needles comprised of stainless steel cannulae attached to needle luer hubs comprised of plastic. They both provide a means to administer local anesthetic solutions to provide regional anesthesia. Both devices are provided sterile, single use only and are biocompatible per ISO 10993-1. Both device designs incorporate the same Quincke tip style, length, gauge, and luer hub. The subject device reinforcement is provided by a needle reinforcing sleeve whereas the predicate device [K091758] is reinforced by a stylet. The subject device has an 18 degree bend on the distal end whereas the predicate device [K091758] is provided straight.
### Substantial Equivalence:
The indication for use and intended use of the subject device is similar to the predicate device [K091758]; the differences are semantic. The technological characteristics of the subject device are very similar to the predicate device [K091758], including: principle of operation, design, function, materials, biocompatibility, and sterility.
#### Performance Data:
Performance testing for the Reinforced Anesthesia Needle consisted of biocompatibility testing per ISO 10993-1, sterilization validation per ISO 11137-1, design verification, design validation, packaging, and shelf life per ISO 594-2, ISO 9626 and ISO 7864. Biocompatibility testing included cytoxicity, sensitization, intracutaneous reactivity, systemic toxicity, and pyrogen testing. Design verification included dimensional, strength, and Human Factors Engineering & Usability Engineering (HFE/UE) testing. Design validation included HFE/UE testing. Animal and clinical testing were not performed. Performance testing showed that the device meets design specifications and performed as intended.
## Conclusion
In conclusion, the subject device is substantially equivalent to the predicate device based on a comparison of intended use, indications for use, and technological characteristics. The subject device is as safe, as effective, and performs as well as or better than the predicate.
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.