The irrigation sheaths are intended to provide irrigation in endoscopic diagnosis and surgical interventions in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.
Device Story
Stainless steel irrigation sheaths designed for use with rigid telescopes (endoscopes) in nasal and paranasal sinus procedures. Device features a LUER-Lock connection for irrigation fluid delivery to the distal tip of the telescope. Used in hospital and clinic settings by physicians. Sheaths are inserted over a telescope and locked in place to provide irrigation during endoscopic diagnosis or surgery. No suction capability or handle included. Benefits include improved visualization during procedures via distal tip irrigation. Device is reusable and requires reprocessing.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data. Substantial equivalence demonstrated through non-clinical bench testing, including flow rate, leak, and bending tests, and adherence to ISO 10993 series for biocompatibility and various standards for reprocessing (ISO 17664-1, ST79:2017, ISO 17665-1).
Technological Characteristics
Stainless steel construction. 4.8 mm outer diameter, 4.3 mm inner diameter, 14 cm working length. 0°, 30°, and 45° tip angles. LUER-Lock irrigation connection. Reusable; sterilized via moist heat (ISO 17665-1). Complies with ISO 10993 biocompatibility standards.
Indications for Use
Indicated for patients undergoing endoscopic diagnosis and surgical interventions in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A nasopharyngoscope (flexible or rigid) and accessories is a tubular endoscopic device with any of a group of accessory devices which attach to the nasopharyngoscope and is intended to examine or treat the nasal cavity and nasal pharynx. It is typically used with a fiberoptic light source and carrier to provide illumination. The device is made of materials such as stainless steel and flexible plastic. This generic type of device includes the antroscope, nasopharyngolaryngoscope, nasosinuscope, nasoscope, postrhinoscope, rhinoscope, salpingoscope, flexible foreign body claw, flexible biopsy forceps, rigid biopsy curette, flexible biospy brush, rigid biopsy forceps and flexible biopsy curette, but excludes the fiberoptic light source and carrier.
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**FDA** U.S. FOOD & DRUG
ADMINISTRATION
September 15, 2026
Karl Storz SE & CO. KG
Jennifer Downing
Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Dr.-Karl-Storz-Straße 34
Tuttlingen, BW 78532
Germany
Re: K254299
Trade/Device Name: KARL STORZ CLEARVISION Irrigation Sheath 0° (7241AS); KARL STORZ
CLEARVISION Irrigation Sheath 30° (7241BS); KARL STORZ
CLEARVISION Irrigation Sheath 45° (7241FS)
Regulation Number: 21 CFR 874.4760
Regulation Name: Nasopharyngoscope (Flexible Or Rigid) And Accessories
Regulatory Class: Class II
Product Code: EOB
Dated: August 14, 2026
Received: August 14, 2026
Dear Jennifer Downing:
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 (the 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. Although this letter refers to your product as a device, please be aware that some cleared products may instead be combination products. The 510(k) Premarket Notification Database available at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/pmn.cfm identifies combination product submissions. 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.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20993
www.fda.gov
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K254299 - Jennifer Downing
Page 2
Additional information about changes that may require a new premarket notification are provided in the FDA guidance documents entitled "Deciding When to Submit a 510(k) for a Change to an Existing Device" (https://www.fda.gov/media/99812/download) and "Deciding When to Submit a 510(k) for a Software Change to an Existing Device" (https://www.fda.gov/media/99785/download).
Your device is also subject to, among other requirements, the Quality Management System Regulation (QMSR) (21 CFR Part 820), which includes, but is not limited to, ISO 13485 clause 7.3 (Design controls), ISO 13485 clause 8.3 (Nonconforming product), ISO 13485 clause 8.5.2 (Corrective action), and ISO 13485 clause 8.5.3 (Preventative action). Please note that regardless of whether a change requires premarket review, the QMSR requires device manufacturers to review and approve changes to device design and production (ISO 13485 clause 7.3 and ISO 13485 clause 7.5) and document changes and approvals in the Medical Device File (ISO 13485 clause 4.2.3).
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 Part 803) for devices or postmarketing safety reporting (21 CFR Part 4, Subpart B) for combination products (see https://www.fda.gov/combination-products/guidance-regulatory-information/postmarketing-safety-reporting-combination-products); good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the Quality Management System Regulation (QMSR) (21 CFR Part 820) for devices or current good manufacturing practices (21 CFR Part 4, Subpart A) for combination products; and, if applicable, the electronic product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR Parts 1000-1050.
All medical devices, including Class I and unclassified devices and combination product device constituent parts are required to be in compliance with the final Unique Device Identification System rule ("UDI Rule"). The UDI Rule requires, among other things, that a device bear a unique device identifier (UDI) on its label and package (21 CFR 801.20(a)) unless an exception or alternative applies (21 CFR 801.20(b)) and that the dates on the device label be formatted in accordance with 21 CFR 801.18. The UDI Rule (21 CFR 830.300(a) and 830.320(b)) also requires that certain information be submitted to the Global Unique Device Identification Database (GUDID) (21 CFR Part 830 Subpart E). For additional information on these requirements, please see the UDI System webpage at https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/device-advice-comprehensive-regulatory-assistance/unique-device-identification-system-udi-system.
Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21 CFR 807.97). For questions regarding the reporting of adverse events under the MDR regulation (21 CFR Part 803), please go to https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/medical-device-safety/medical-device-reporting-mdr-how-report-medical-device-problems.
For comprehensive regulatory information about medical devices and radiation-emitting products, including information about labeling regulations, please see Device Advice (https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/device-advice-comprehensive-regulatory-assistance) and CDRH Learn (https://www.fda.gov/training-and-continuing-education/cdrh-learn). 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 (https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/device-advice-comprehensive-regulatory-
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K254299 - Jennifer Downing
Page 3
assistance/contact-us-division-industry-and-consumer-education-dice) for more information or contact DICE by email (DICE@fda.hhs.gov) or phone (1-800-638-2041 or 301-796-7100).
Sincerely,
JOYCE C.
LIN -S
for Shu-Chen Peng, Ph.D.
Assistant Director
DHT1B: Division of Dental and
ENT Devices
OHT1: Office of Ophthalmic, Anesthesia,
Respiratory, ENT, and Dental Devices
Office of Product Evaluation and Quality
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Enclosure
{3}
| Indications for Use | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Please type in the marketing application/submission number, if it is known. This textbox will be left blank for original applications/submissions. | K254299 | ? |
| Please provide the device trade name(s). | | ? |
| KARL STORZ CLEARVISION Irrigation Sheath 0° (7241AS); KARL STORZ CLEARVISION Irrigation Sheath 30° (7241BS); KARL STORZ CLEARVISION Irrigation Sheath 45° (7241FS) | | |
| Please provide your Indications for Use below. | | ? |
| The irrigation sheaths are intended to provide irrigation in endoscopic diagnosis and surgical interventions in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. | | |
| Please select the types of uses (select one or both, as applicable). | ☑ Prescription Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart D) ☐ Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C) | ? |
{4}
STORZ
KARL STORZ—ENDOSKOPE
KARL STORZ Premarket Notification
KARL STORZ Irrigation Sheaths
510(k) Summary
### 510(k) Summary
This 510(k) Summary is being submitted in accordance with the requirements of the Safe Medical Devices Act (SMDA) of 1990 and 21 CFR 807.92. All data included in this document is accurate and complete to the best of KARL STORZ's knowledge.
| Submitter: | KARL STORZ SE & CO. KG Dr.-Karl-Storz-Straße 34 Tuttlingen, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, 78532 Establishment Registration Number: 9610617 |
| --- | --- |
| Contact: | Jennifer Downing Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist jennifer.downing@karlstorz.com Tel.: 1-424-218-8115 |
| Date of Preparation: | September 14, 2026 |
| Type of 510(k) Submission: | Traditional |
| Device Identification: | Trade Names: KARL STORZ CLEARVISION Irrigation Sheath 0° (7241AS); KARL STORZ CLEARVISION Irrigation Sheath 30° (7241BS); KARL STORZ CLEARVISION Irrigation Sheath 45° (7241FS) |
| Common Name: | Irrigation Sheaths |
| Regulatory Class: | II |
| Product Code: | EOB (Nasopharyngoscope, flexible or rigid) |
| Classification Name: | 874.4760 - Nasopharyngoscope (flexible or rigid) |
| Device Panel: | Division of Ear Nose & Throat Devices |
| Predicate Device(s): | K943816, KARL STORZ Trocars, Cannulae, Sheaths The predicate device has not been subject to any recalls. |
| Device Description: | The subject devices are stainless steel sheaths, into which a telescope (a type of rigid endoscope) is inserted and locked in place. The subject devices have a LUER-Lock connection for irrigation. Irrigation fluid flows through the connection and out the tip of the sheath, providing irrigation to the distal tip of the telescope. The subject devices have a 4.8 mm outer diameter and a 14 cm working length. |
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**STORZ**
KARL STORZ—ENDOSKOPE
*KARL STORZ Premarket Notification*
KARL STORZ Irrigation Sheaths
510(k) Summary
| Indications For Use: | The irrigation sheaths are intended to provide irrigation in endoscopic diagnosis and surgical interventions in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Environment of use | Hospital and clinic | | |
| Technological Characteristics: | The comparison of technological characteristics is as follows: | | |
| | | Subject Device | Predicate K943816 |
| | **Type of Device** | Sinus irrigation Sheaths | Sinus suction / irrigation sheaths |
| | **Outer Diameter** | 4.8 mm | 6.1 mm |
| | **Inner Diameter** | 4.3 mm | 2.95 - 4.0 mm |
| | **Working length** | 14 cm | 12 cm |
| | **Viewing angle / Tip Angle** | 0° - 45° | 0° - 70° |
| | **Design of Handle** | No handle | Detachable pistol grip handle with stopcock and suction / irrigation connections |
| | **Tubing connection for irrigation** | LUER-Lock | LUER-Lock |
| | **Suction connection** | No suction | Yes, LUER-Lock, on separate handle |
Page 2 of 4
{6}
STORZ
KARL STORZ—ENDOSKOPE
KARL STORZ Premarket Notification
KARL STORZ Irrigation Sheaths
510(k) Summary
| Non-Clinical Performance Data: | There are no performance standards or special controls developed under Section 514 of the FD&C Act for Irrigation Sheaths. However, the subject device follows the FDA recognized consensus standards and is tested according to the following standards and FDA Guidance: Biocompatibility testing The system complies with the following standards: - ISO 10993-1: Biological evaluation of medical devices – Part 1: Evaluation and testing within a risk management process - ISO 10993-2: Biological evaluation of medical devices – Part 2: Animal welfare requirements - ISO 10993-5: Biological evaluation of medical devices – Part 5: Tests for in vitro cytotoxicity - ISO 10993-10: Biological evaluation of medical devices – Part 10: Tests skin sensitization - ISO 10993-11: Biological evaluation of medical devices – Part 11: Tests for systemic toxicity - ISO 10993-12: Biological evaluation of medical devices – Part 12: Sample preparation and reference materials - ISO 10993-18: Biological evaluation of medical devices – Part 18: Chemical characterization of materials - ISO 10993-23 Biological evaluation of medical devices – Part 23: Tests for irritation Reprocessing Validation The reprocessing data submitted complies with the following standards and guidance with regards to cleaning and sterilization: - ISO 17664-1: Processing of health care products - Information to be provided by the medical device manufacturer for the processing of medical devices - Part 1: Critical and semi-critical medical devices - TIR12:2020: Designing testing and labeling medical devices intended for processing by health care facilities: A guide for device manufacturers - ST79:2017: Comprehensive guide to steam sterilization and sterility assurance in health care facilities - ISO 14937: Sterilization of health care products — General requirements for characterization of a sterilizing agent and |
| --- | --- |
Page 3 of 4
{7}
**STORZ**
KARL STORZ—ENDOSKOPE
*KARL STORZ Premarket Notification*
KARL STORZ Irrigation Sheaths
510(k) Summary
| | the development, validation and routine control of a sterilization process for medical devices - ISO 17665-1: Sterilization of health care products — Moist heat — Part 1: Requirements for the development, validation and routine control of a sterilization process for medical devices - FDA Guidance Document Reprocessing Medical Devices in Health Care Settings: Validation Methods and Labeling - ANSI / AAMI ST98: Cleaning validation of health care products - Requirements for development and validation of a cleaning process for medical devices - ANSI/AAMI ST77: Containment devices for reusable medical device sterilizationBench Testing The following bench testing was performed: - Flow Rate and Leak Test - Bending Test |
| --- | --- |
| Clinical Performance Data: | Clinical testing was not required to demonstrate the substantial equivalence to the predicate device. Non-clinical bench testing was sufficient to assess safety and effectiveness and to establish the substantial equivalence of the modifications. |
| Conclusion: | The conclusions drawn from the non-clinical tests demonstrate that the subject device, KARL STORZ Irrigation Sheaths, is as safe and effective as the predicate device and supports substantial equivalence to the predicate device. |
Page 4 of 4
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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 as a Medical Device, 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 as a Medical Device), 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?
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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.