Elliquence endoscopes are indicated for visualization of the intraoperative site during spinal endoscopic procedures and minimally invasive surgery.
Device Story
Endiscope and Endiscope Cervical are rigid, optical and fiber-optic based endoscopes designed for visualization during spinal endoscopic procedures and minimally invasive surgery. Devices feature working channels (2.2 mm to 4.3 mm) for insertion of microsurgical instrumentation; outer diameters range from 3.6 mm to 7.0 mm; working lengths from 95 mm to 208 mm. Devices are reusable and non-sterile upon delivery. Operated by surgeons in clinical settings; compatible with standard fiber optic light sources, video adapters, and cameras (e.g., Storz, Olympus, Wolf). Provides direct visualization of the intraoperative site to assist in procedures like endoscopic-assisted discectomy. Benefits include minimally invasive access to the spinal column.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data. Substantial equivalence demonstrated via non-clinical bench testing, including thermal safety (IEC 60601-2-18), electrical safety (IEC 60601-2-18), optical performance verification, sterilization validation (ANSI/AAMI ST81, TIR12, EN ISO 17665/17664), and biocompatibility (ISO 10993-1).
Technological Characteristics
Rigid optical/fiber-optic endoscope. Working channels: 2.2-4.3 mm. Outer diameters: 3.6-7.0 mm. Working lengths: 95-208 mm. Viewing angle: 80° +/- 5°. Direction of view: 0°/6° or 30°. Reusable. Compatible with standard external light sources/cameras. Biocompatibility per ISO 10993-1. Electrical/thermal safety per IEC 60601-2-18.
Indications for Use
Indicated for visualization of the intraoperative site during spinal endoscopic procedures and minimally invasive surgery in patients undergoing spinal or minimally invasive surgical interventions.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An arthroscope is an electrically powered endoscope intended to make visible the interior of a joint. The arthroscope and accessories also is intended to perform surgery within a joint.
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June 11, 2018
Elliquence, LLC Paul Buhrke, IV Director, Global Sales & Operations 2455 Grand Avenue Baldwin, New York 11510
Re: K180766
Trade/Device Name: Endiscope, Endiscope Cervical Regulation Number: 21 CFR 888.1100 Regulation Name: Arthroscope Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: HRX Dated: May 17, 2018 Received: June 6, 2018
Dear Paul Buhrke, IV:
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
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801); medical device 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.
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 comprehensive regulatory information about mediation-emitting products, including information about labeling regulations, please see Device Advice (https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/) and CDRH Learn (http://www.fda.gov/Training/CDRHLearn). Additionally, you may contact the Division of Industry and Consumer Education (DICE) to ask a question about a specific regulatory topic. See the DICE website (http://www.fda.gov/DICE) for more information or contact DICE by email (DICE@fda.hhs.gov) or phone (1-800-638-2041 or 301-796-7100).
> Sincerely, Jennifer R. Stevenso For Binita S. Ashar, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.S Director Division of Surgical Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
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Expiration Date: 06/30/2020
See PRA Statement below.
Form Approved: OMB No. 0910-0120
#### DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Food and Drug Administration
#### Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known) K180766
Device Name Endiscope, Endiscope Cervical
Indications for Use (Describe)
Elliquence endoscopes are indication of the intraoperative site during spinal endoscopic procedures and minimally invasive surgery.
Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable)
> Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D)
Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C)
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K180766
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# 510(k) Summary
(As required by 21 CFR 807.92(a))
Date Prepared
March 19, 2018
# Submitter's Information (807.92(a)(1))
Company Name and Address: Elliquence, LLC 2455 Grand Avenue Baldwin, NY 11510 Phone: (516) 277-9000 Fax: (516) 277-9001 www.elliquence.com
Establishment Registration for Elliquence, LLC is 3007024186.
Contact Information: Peter Browne - Regulatory Affairs Associate Phone: (516) 277-9036 Fax: (516) 277-9037 Email: pbrowne@elliquence.com
Paul D. Buhrke IV - Director, Global Sales & Operations Phone: (516) 277-9010 Fax: (516) 277-9011 Email: pbuhrke(@elliquence.com
## Device Information (807.92(a)(2))
Trade Name Endiscope, Endiscope Cervical
Common/Usual Name Spinal Endoscope
Classification Name and Regulation Arthroscope; 21 CFR 888.1100
Class FDA Classification: Class II FDA Product Code: HRX
## Predicate Devices (807.92(a)(3))
| Predicate Device | 510(k) Number | 510(k) Holder |
|-------------------------------------|---------------|-------------------|
| Discoscopes, Cervical<br>Endoscopes | K130778 | RZ Medizintechnik |
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K180766
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Image /page/4/Picture/2 description: The image shows the Elliquence logo with the tagline "Less Is More". The logo is in blue and features a stylized "e" followed by the rest of the company name. Above the logo, the text "Page 2 of 3" is visible, indicating this is part of a multi-page document.
## Device Description (807.92(a)(4))
The Endiscope is an optical and fiber optic based rigid endoscope available with working channels of 2.8 mm, 3.75 mm and 4.3 mm allowing the insertion of microsurgical instrumentation to perform endoscopic intervention within the spinal column such as endoscopic assisted discectomy.
The Endiscope Cervical is an optical and fiber optic-based rigid endoscope available with a working channel of 2.2 mm allowing the insertion of microsurgical instrumentation to perform endoscopic intervention within the cervical spine.
Elliquence endoscopes may be attached to standard fiber optic light sources, commonly available video adapters and cameras such as Storz, Olympus and Wolf.
The devices are reusable, delivered in non-sterile conditions and available in various designs:
- Outer Diameters from 3.6 mm to 7.0 mm
- Diameter of working channel from 2.2 mm to 4.3 mm ●
- Working length from 95 mm to 208 mm
- Direction of view: 0%6° (Endiscope Cervical), 30° (Endiscope) ●
- Viewing angle 80° +/- 5°
#### Intended Use (807.92(a)(5))
Elliquence endoscopes are indicated for visualization of the intraoperative site during spinal endoscopic procedures and minimally invasive surgery.
#### Substantial Equivalence Comparison (807.92(a)(6))
Elliquence endoscopes are substantially equivalent in both intended use and technological characteristics to the previously cleared Discoscopes, Cervical Endoscopes (K130778) by RZ Medizintechnik. An extensive comparison chart concerning key characteristics is provided in Section 12.
#### Non-Clinical Testing (807.92(b)(1))
Testing in order to prove safety and effectivence endoscopes have been performed according to recognized consensus standards and results are conforming to the respective requirements.
#### o Thermal Safety
Temperature profile studies according to IEC 60601-2-18 have been conducted in order to provide evidence of sufficient thermal safety of the devices. Results show, that thermal hazards may be excluded if the devices are used according their indications.
#### o Electrical Safety
The devices subject to this submission have been tested according to the requirements of IEC 60601-2-18. Test setup covered interconnection test and capacitive coupled HF current. Results indicate electrical safety of the devices as required per respective standard.
#### o Optical Performance
Optical performance of our spinal endoscopes is continuously checked during final inspection of the devices. Every device is checked for optical performance before final release.
#### elliquence, LLC.
2455 Grand Avenue · Baldwin, New York 11510 (516) 277.9000 · Fax: (516) 277.9001 · www.elliquence.com
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#### o Sterilization
Safety and efficiency of the specified sterilization cycle referenced within the instructions for use has been validated under consideration of the requirements set out in ANSI/AAMI ST81, ANSI/AAMI TIR12, EN ISO 17665 and EN ISO 17664.
#### 0 Biocompatibility
The devices have been subjected to biocompatibility testing to ISO 10993-1. Testing has been conducted with greatest challenge devices and provides evidence on acceptable levels of biocompatibility.
#### Clinical Testing (807.92(b)(2))
This premarket submission did not rely on the assessment of clinical performance data to demonstrate substantial equivalence.
#### Conclusion (807.92(b)(3))
Based on available 510(k) information provided herein, Elliquence endoscopes are considered substantially equivalent to the predicate device in terms of indications for use, material, technology, design and performance specifications.
There are no differences between the devices which would raise new issues of safety or effectiveness.
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.